Washington DC Renters Insurance: Get the Best Quotes!
Washington, DC is a hotbed of national history and culture. If you’ve never been to the Smithsonian, you’re in for a real treat – situated right on the US National Mall, you could get lost between the Smithsonian’s various museums and DC’s historical landmarks for days on end.
If you’re moving to DC, know it has some of the highest rents in the country – but don’t let that stop you! Co-ops, roommate situations and other housing provisions are available. Plus, the scenery, the access to national monuments, the music scene and the incredible food all make the cost worth it!
Do I have to have renters insurance in DC?
In most areas, renters insurance is not legally required. Your landlord can require you to purchase a policy before you start your lease term -so just because holding a policy isn’t legally mandated, that doesn’t mean you won’t have to have one.
You’ll find insurance in DC to be on the higher end. Rent has gone up right around 7.61% over the past five years. The average rent in DC at the current time is $1499 monthly, which incorporates both high and low-income parts of DC. Long story short, it’s an expensive city to live and rent in.
How much will all this cost me?
Your quote will include a premium amount reduced to a monthly rate. Most renters insurance customers across the nation pay $15-30 monthly regardless of plan.
Your coverage should essentially be the same across the district. Start with $20,000 in personal property coverage. You’ll need to itemize your belongings, from furniture to linens to clothing to electronics – ALL your items, and not just the valuables. Remember if you need to file a claim, you’ll want to replace those items you use in everyday living and not just your most valuable items.
Medical liability coverage is also important. This is going to require the most protection out of all your coverage – we recommend $100,000 for this part of your policy. If someone is injured on your property, you’ll want to make sure you can pay for the medical expenses if you’re found liable. Landlords typically require you to have this coverage so there isn’t a question about whether they should pay for any accidents to others that occur on the property while you live there.
Finally, we recommend Loss of Use coverage at $1,000. If you lose access to your home for any reason, cooking meals, bathing, and other basic functions may be difficult. Loss of use coverage will cover the cost of any additional expenses you may incur if/when you don’t have access to your home.
What is covered in DC?
Theft is a significant threat in some areas of DC, so this is always something to watch out for. DC generally has a high crime rate compared with other areas of the country, so we recommend bringing down the cost of your premium by working with security measures such as anti-theft devices, including burglar alarms, smart doorbells, etc. If you can work with your landlord to ensure these are installed on your property, you may find your premium numbers will be a little kinder on your pocket.
DC is also no stranger to inclement weather. Snowstorms and ice have been known to shut down the metro and area universities such as Howard, American University, George Washington, Georgetown, etc. Since the outlying areas of DC (including metro Maryland and Virginia) also rely on DC transportation, a badly timed storm that people are unprepared for could cripple the city until weather conditions let up.
DC is also close enough to the coast to experience threats from hurricanes and other types of weather disasters. There have been tornadoes recorded in the DC area, so taking proper precautions and making sure you’re covered just makes sense.
How much coverage should I buy?
First, most carriers have some coverage limits to consider. It’s key to discuss potential coverage limits with your agent, which vary both by state and by the carrier.
As you work with your agent, you’ll create an itemized list of all your personal property together so you both have a better idea of the coverage amount you might need. Remember, you’ll also need to allow for property and medical liability, so your agent will be looking at your home materials, fire district, your credit score, how reliable you’ve been with a previous policy.
All these things are considered as you select even cheap renters insurance coverage. If you need additional coverage to recoup the cost of items that are outside your policy coverage limits, your agent may recommend additional insurance. This is good to have if you retain high-priced valuables that exceed your coverage for personal property. For example, engagement rings or family heirlooms could fall into this area.
Ensure you talk to us about RCV (Replacement Cost Value) vs. ACV (Actual Cash Value) when we’re building your policy.
What types of discounts are offered?
Here are a few discounts you may be eligible for:
- Paid in Full
- Security/burglar alarm or security measures on-premises
- Advance Quote (paying a day in advance of when the quote starts)
- Auto and other bundling
Carriers want your business, and when you bundle, you’re able to take advantage of additional savings by opening up more lines of insurance. The more lines you have, the more you can save! We recommend our customers consider opening up lines at the same time with carriers to take advantage of bundling discounts as much as possible.
Get DC Renters Insurance Quotes Online
If you need cheap, efficient, renters protection, we’ve got you covered! We can provide quotes from companies in your area that fit your needs, and help you find the best one for your specific situation.
We love working for our clients! With just one form fill, we do the research for you and work with you to get a quote that will most benefit you and your family. Choose from a variety of coverage, depending on your situation and your needs. We’re happy to work with you to help you find the best combinations and help you bundle policies so you can save.