Are you required to have renters insurance?

Q: Are you covered by your landlord's insurance policy?

Your landlord's insurance , or a rental company's master policy, typically doesn't cover you or your stuff. These policies are designed to cover the property owner's interests, like damage to the home or apartment structure. To protect your belongings and guard against personal liability claims, you need a renters insurance policy . Landlords or rental offices also typically won't pay for your living expenses, like meals or lodging, if you can't stay in your rental due to a covered loss. A renters insurance policy may help cover those additional expenses while your rental is being repaired or rebuilt.

Q: Do you need renters insurance before signing a lease?

While renters insurance isn't required by state law , many landlords or property management companies may require proof of a policy before you can sign a lease or move in. If having renters insurance is part of your lease agreement and you don't maintain it, your landlord or rental company may have the right to terminate your lease.

Renters insurance is never required by law, but some landlords or rental companies may ask for proof of a renters insurance policy before you can move in. Even when optional, renters insurance is generally inexpensive and may offer critical protection that your landlord or rental company typically can't provide.

3 to readUpdated September 11, 2025

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Key takeaways

Renters insurance isn't mandated by state law but may be required by your landlord or rental office
Your landlord's insurance or an apartment building's master policy protects your unit — not your personal belongings

Are you covered by your landlord's insurance policy?

Your landlord's insurance, or a rental company's master policy, typically doesn't cover you or your stuff. These policies are designed to cover the property owner's interests, like damage to the home or apartment structure. To protect your belongings and guard against personal liability claims, you need a renters insurance policy.

Landlords or rental offices also typically won't pay for your living expenses, like meals or lodging, if you can't stay in your rental due to a covered loss. A renters insurance policy may help cover those additional expenses while your rental is being repaired or rebuilt.

Why should you consider renters insurance?

Renters insurance is affordable and safeguards tenants in several ways, including:

Liability protection: If you're deemed responsible for someone's injuries or damages, personal liability coverage may cover associated costs, up to your coverage limit.
Coverage for your stuff — even away from home: If your belongings are stolen, vandalized, or damaged by a covered peril, personal property coverage may pay to repair or replace the items, up to your coverage limit and minus any deductible. Your furniture, electronics, clothing, and other items may add up to more than you realize. You can use our home inventory calculator to itemize your belongings and figure out how much coverage you need.
Additional living expenses if you can't stay at your residence: If your rental is uninhabitable due to fire, water damage, or another covered incident, loss of use coverage may help pay for temporary housing as well as grocery costs, above what you normally spend.
Medical payments for guests: If someone is injured at your rental home or apartment, your renters policy may pay for their medical bills, up to your coverage limit.

Explore more on what renters insurance covers.

Do you need renters insurance before signing a lease?

While renters insurance isn't required by state law, many landlords or property management companies may require proof of a policy before you can sign a lease or move in. If having renters insurance is part of your lease agreement and you don't maintain it, your landlord or rental company may have the right to terminate your lease.

What happens if you don't have renters insurance?

Without renters insurance, you risk paying out of your own pocket if the unexpected happens. Sudden events like fires, thefts, and accidents could result in significant financial strain if you're unable to live in your rental, your personal belongings are damaged, or a guest is hurt and you're liable for their medical bills.