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Does renters insurance cover fire damage to the apartment?
We had a small fire in our apartment—it destroyed a dresser and a nightstand, but luckily none of us were injured. Does my renters insurance cover fire damage to the apartment?
Matt Terzi · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Fires can be absolutely terrifying—it’s a relief to hear that you’re all unharmed. The good news is that renters insurance covers fire damage in your apartment. This is because fire is a
named peril
in every home and renters insurance policy.If your home becomes uninhabitable as a result of the fire, renters insurance can even pay for the cost of a hotel or other living arrangement until repairs are finished.
Additionally, if the fire started in your apartment and then spread to a nearby unit (and it was your fault), your renters policy’s liability coverage should cover the damage to your neighbors, too.
What your policy won’t cover is damage to the building itself—that’s covered by your landlord’s insurance. Their policy will have to pay for any damage to walls, ceilings, flooring, and built-in furnishings like cabinets or shelving.
Here are some tips for filing an insurance claim after there’s a fire in your apartment:
- Take photos of all the damage. Include photos of your items and the property itself. If you have photos of the items before they were damaged, this is even better.
- Don’t wait to call your insurance company and notify them of the fire. Some companies won’t accept a claim if it’s filed too late.
- Don’t move out until the insurance company approves your claim. That way, you won’t have any disputes when it comes to reimbursing the cost of your alternate living arrangements.
View full answer
- Gregory R.
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