Where can you find the best renters insurance online? A famous movie character once said, "My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." If we could predict the future or anticipate accidents, we would not need insurance. But life's unexpected events - and sometimes landlord requirements - make renters insurance a necessity.
Best Option
Assurant offers fast, free quotes for renters insurance, with premiums as low as $13.59 per month. The company, which has been around for over 125 years, provides coverage for millions of renters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Two policy options available
Assurant offers two types of policies:
Assurant's policy covers damage to your living space and neighboring properties if an accident occurs, as well as the items in your home. They will reimburse you the replacement cost for your damaged items due to a covered event, including mold, dry rot, or fungi. While fire, water, smoke, and explosion are the basic concerns, Assurant goes beyond and lists 17 covered event categories, including theft, vandalism, aircraft, and riots. Loss of use is covered as "additional living expenses". The liability portion of the traditional renters insurance policy covers medical payments if a guest in your home is injured, in addition to property damage. Alternatively, if you're interested in the liability-only policy, you will need to input your address to see if you are in a qualified partner community. This policy covers damages to the rental unit or a neighboring property, as well as personal liability for a guest's injuries, but not your belongings.
What does that mean?
If you aren't sure what certain terms mean, Assurant has a handy insurance jargon glossary on the website for your convenience. Customer service representatives are available via phone to help as well.
Choose any extras and quickly get a policy
Depending on your needs and the area in which you live, Assurant may include coverage for floods, food spoilage (due to power outage), and even bed bugs. Each policy is customizable, so you choose the amount of coverage for your belongings ( do you have a lot of expensive items or mostly thrift-store finds? Are you on your own or covering a family's worth of items?). With multiple levels of liability coverage to choose from and an estimated belongings value between $20,000 and $95,000, you only pay for what you want in your policy.
Variety of add-ons
The company permits you to add on pet damage, water sewer backup, earthquake, increased jewelry coverage, and identity fraud coverage for an additional fee. Decide on your deductible and then how you want to pay the bill - annually, quarterly, or monthly. (If you can pay annually, you can save some money over paying monthly and avoid unnecessary fees). After you decide everything, fill in the billing details, including the landlord's information as an interested party. Make the payment and Assurant will do the rest, even sending the proof of insurance to your landlord.
Policy length is one year
Assurant only offers year-long policies and will automatically renew your policy annually. If you only need a six-month policy, however, you can cancel it and receive a refund for those prepaid months without incurring a fee.
Do everything online
Insured users can easily change their policy as needed via the Assurant policy website, including adding a roommate, upgrading a policy, or changing coverage amounts. The site makes it easy to make payments and get proof of insurance, though the company does not offer an app.
The company cares for the community
Assurant not only is a good company to cover your stuff, but they also help others by annually donating $4 million in grants, disaster relief, matching gifts, and in-kind support. They have invested $9 million in social impact projects and supported over 1,100 worldwide charities.
Customers are overwhelmingly happy
Assurant Inc. is an accredited BBB business with an "A+" rating. Reviews of the company on BBB have garnered an impressive 4.66 out of 5 stars with over 13,000 reviews. Positive reviews mention "top tier" customer service and an easy-to-navigate claims website. Across online review platforms, the company put up top marks with 4.5-4.8 out of 5 stars averaged across tens of thousands of reviews. Those who had claims on their renters insurance had great experiences getting reimbursement and being taken care of in the wake of tragedy. One reviewer noted, "Not only was [my rep] extremely professional, empathetic, and compassionate about my situation, time management and efficiency was A+." That's what we like to hear when it comes to insurance companies handling claims.
Once again our top choice
Assurant makes it easy to get a renters insurance policy online, for any state, at just below the national average cost. The company does good things in the community and receives the best reviews from tens of thousands of reviewers, which is why it is once again our recommended renters insurance company. You almost can't afford not to get a policy from Assurant.
Very Good
Nationwide has been in the insurance business for nearly 100 years, providing auto, home, motorcycle, pet, farm, life, and commercial policies. Renters seeking coverage in 42 states plus the District of Columbia can expect to pay around $20 per month for a policy.
Covers the usual plus credit cards and forged checks
Nationwide renters insurance covers your belongings, personal liability, medical and liability, and loss of use. The basic policy coverages will protect your home's contents from covered losses and reimburse additional living expenses if you can't live in your home due to a covered incident, such as a fire. If there is an accident in your home, the policy provides personal liability and medical payments as needed. Beyond that, unauthorized transactions on your credit cards and bank debit cards will be paid to your selected limit, even forged checks and counterfeit money.
Custom features to meet your needs
An optional feature offered by Nationwide is Brand New Belongings, which not only gives you money for the depreciated value of a covered item, but also pays the difference to replace or repair it. They also offer add-ons to customize your policy. Valuables Plus is offered for those who have high-value items, while water backup, earthquake, and volcano options can be included for those in affected areas. Theft extension is another optional feature to protect your belongings if they are stored elsewhere. A flood insurance policy is a separate policy to consider if you are in an area where this may be a concern.
Simple quote and sign-up process
Input your ZIP code on the Nationwide website and choose the type of insurance for which you're looking to get a quote - this is where you can also choose auto and see what kind of discount you'll get if you bundle with renters insurance. Then you'll input your personal details, view quote options, and pay online if you like the price quoted.
Discounts are available
Save up to 15% on renters insurance by bundling with another policy from Nationwide, such as auto or motorcycle insurance. They also offer discounts for smoke detectors, fire alarms, security systems, and not having claims.
View policy and make claims online or via app
Nationwide provides its policyholders with secure online self-service, as well as a secure mobile app for Android, iPhone, and iPad. Both allow you to pay your bill, print proof of insurance, make policy changes, or file a claim. The claim tracker on the website allows you to see the claim from start to finish without having to spend time on hold during a phone call - a very helpful feature for anyone who's already stressed out enough at having to make a claim. The highly-rated app allows you to save your ID cards for offline viewing on your phone.
Concerning decline in customer satisfaction recently
Accredited by the BBB, Nationwide has earned an "A+" rating. However, reviews on the BBB are dismal, with a 1.13 out of 5 stars from a few hundred reviews. Customers who rated there are unhappy with claims or policy premiums. Similarly, another online review platform showing a couple of hundred reviews ranks them at 1.4 out of 5 stars, and a different site gives the company 3 out of 5 stars from a few hundred more reviews. Customers rant about billing issues, customer service nightmares, skyrocketing policy fees, and being dropped after filing a claim. Some of the reviews were regarding their banking services, and it seems that many people only leave a review if they have a complaint.
Some happy reviews too
That being said, one happy customer said his claim was handled in a "very proficient and incredible way" and another said she was "a satisfied customer." We are concerned that the 5-star reviews are all a few years old, leading us to wonder if service is declining at Nationwide, a huge slide from the high rankings the company had received last time we reviewed them as a provider of renters insurance.
Still a solid option
While we're disappointed to see the recent decline in customer sentiment, Nationwide provides a great renters insurance policy at a competitive price with bonus benefits such as the highly rated app and credit card coverage. We recommend this company overall as a trustworthy, established insurer that's still worth checking out for renters insurance.
Good
Travelers has provided insurance for over 160 years and is one of America's largest property casualty insurance companies. An average renters insurance policy from this company, which offers coverage in all states plus Puerto Rico and Washington DC, costs $17 per month.
Offering coverage for renters
Renters insurance from Travelers includes both personal property coverage and personal liability (though it appears this is sold separately). If your possessions are damaged or lost at home or away, they may be protected by the policy. Should someone be injured in your home, liability insurance protects you and pays medical expenses. Additional living expenses are covered in a Travelers renters insurance policy, as are improvements you make to the rented property.
Consider add-ons if you need more coverage
If you have assets such as collectibles, jewelry, or furs, consider the Valuable Items Plus endorsement on your Travelers renters insurance policy. An umbrella policy is liability coverage to go beyond the traditional coverage and protect you from unexpected events not covered by your primary policy.
How it works - or doesn't, actually
While the website says you can get a quote online from Travelers in minutes, we tried four different ZIP codes in major metropolitan areas across the United States and received the same message: "Travelers is not currently writing renters insurance directly in your state. If you prefer to continue offline and get a quote with Travelers, please contact a local independent agent." If you get the same message and still want to pursue this company, it seems you'll have to make a phone call. Along with this frustrating roadblock on the website, we found it to be not user-friendly, with links continually bringing us back to the same webpages and not giving us the information we sought.
Discounts can bring the rate down
Travelers offers auto and renters insurance as a bundle to save on up to 5% on your policies. Additionally, if you have not made a claim on your insurance in a specified time period, you may be eligible for a discount. Having protective devices related to fire and security also may result in a discount.
App has mixed reviews
The Travelers app is designed to allow insured members to make payments and view coverage, but it has very poor reviews on Android, averaging just 2.7 out of 5 stars. The iOS version has a much higher rating at 4.7 out of 5, so perhaps the company will improve the website along with the Android app in the future.
Involved in the community
Travelers believes in making a difference to help in communities by providing grants and sponsorships, volunteering with homeless charities and Habitat for Humanity, and participating in other philanthropic causes.
Unhappy customers bring down the rating
Travelers is not accredited by the BBB and has an "A+" rating. Earning just 1.05 out of 5 stars on BBB, however, negative reviews complain about claims being denied and poor customer service. Across online review platforms, customer reviews range on average from 1 star to 1.9 stars out of 5. Unhappy reviewers rant that the company is overpriced, delays and denies claims (calling the claim process "a prolonged nightmare"), and has terrible customer service. While one happy customer said her claim was handled in a quick manner, customer feedback has seriously declined (from over 4 stars) since the last time we reviewed Travelers for renters insurance. We hope they will improve their service again and be on par with their BBB rating.
Another option worth checking out
Travelers' renters insurance may be a great deal, but you'll have to go through the hassle of making a phone call just to find out. With mixed app feedback and unhappy customer reviews as of late, Travelers ranks just above average for us.
Good
Calling themselves the "most loved renters insurance in America," Lemonade is available in 28 states, plus Washington DC. As the first insurance company to launch on Product Hunt as a tech company providing insurance in 2015, Lemonade is also the world's only public benefit insurance company. The company also calls their offering "peer-to-peer insurance," meaning they keep rates low by not having brokers and using the money to pay claims and help the community rather than make lots of money.
The coverage you need
Renters insurance from Lemonade covers theft, water damage, and fire and smoke incidents, offering replacement cost coverage for your affected belongings. The liability portion of the policy protects you if someone sues you due to an accident in your home or covers medical expenses for the injured person. Should you need to live elsewhere due to the damage incurred, Lemonade renters insurance helps cover the cost of finding temporary housing.
If you need more, add-ons are available
If you have some valuables, Lemonade offers Extra Coverage to help replace them in the event of accidental loss and damage. This comes with perks such as deductible-free claims, coverage for accidental damage, and coverage for "mysterious loss." Equipment Breakdown Coverage (appliance coverage) can be added to items you own, if desired. Policies can be updated and changed as needed during the life of your policy. Earthquakes, flood damage, widespread power outages, car theft, mold, and your roommate's belongings are not covered by Lemonade's renters insurance.
AI and human support
Utilitizing AI bot Maya to activate your policy from your online application, Lemonade says you can be covered in as little as 90 seconds. However, you cannot get a price quote without giving your information, including property address and email address (which you then need to verify to get the claim). They claim that policies start as low as $5 per month, with an average cost of $16 per month. While Lemonade uses AI to take care of basic customer inquiries to lower overhead, they say a human customer support team can be reached for your trickier questions (although some reviewers beg to differ)
Super fast claim approval
Unlike typical insurance, Lemonade also says they will approve your claim "in seconds," avoiding the paperwork and waiting involved with most insurance claims. Just open the app and hit the "claim" button to start the process. (Many reviewers say this was not the case for them).
Discounts are offered
Bundles with car, pet, or term life insurance policies can consolidate your needs and provide savings on your Lemonade renters insurance. Safety features such as smoke detectors, burglar alarms, and deadbolts may score you an additional discount.
An online service (and app) with personality
Lemonade is a website and app-based insurance. Insured members utilize their online accounts to get quotes, make claims, and access coverage. The highly rated app is available for both Android and iOS. Additionally, the Lemonade website explains coverages and issues renters may be interested in knowing about in a playful, easy-to-understand manner, including articles on what is covered by a policy, how to clean an engagement ring, where to live, how to move heavy furniture, and tips to keep an apartment cool in the summer. Humorously, they even feature a section called "Spare room" which says, "Sometimes we like to get a little weird. Join us" and has articles like, "How to Throw a Housewarming Party That Doesn't Suck." If you're liking this vibe, this may be the company for you. Also on the website, check out the "Insuropedia" dictionary to have insurance terms explained in easy-to-understand language.
Helping other people
Lemonade is a public benefit corporation, taking a flat fee upfront prior to paying a claim. The company donates remaining funds annually to fourteen charities chosen by customers through the Giveback program, including Malala Fund, American Red Cross, ACLU, To Write Love on Her Arms, and Cure Childhood Cancer.
Mixed customer reviews
Lemonade is not accredited by the BBB and has a "B" rating due to a high number of complaints filed against the company, including 249 in the last year. Complaints mentioned trouble with autorenewal of policy and denied claims. Reviews on the BBB put them at an average of 3.34 stars out of 5. Complaints and compliments were regarding claims, which seems to be the case with any insurance company. Positive reviews said the claims process was "very painless and enjoyable" while negative ones accuse the company of "bad faith practices" in regards to handling their claims. Another unhappy customer says it's "impossible to speak to a human" at Lemonade. On Trustpilot, the company ranks higher with 4.2 out of 5 stars on average.
Not the best or the worst for renters insurance
Aimed at a younger generation of insurance customers, Lemonade is a solid company with policies for your rental needs. Mixed reviews and lack of nationwide availability keep Lemonade's renters insurance from our top spots, but we feel it's a decent option worth consideration.
Average
Since 1907, Amica has been providing auto, homeowners, and marine insurance coverage for Americans. Customers in 48 states and Washington DC can get renters insurance for as low as $14 per month with this established company.
Three levels of policies offered
Amica renters insurance covers your personal property with replacement cost coverage and includes loss of use, which pays for housing and other living expenses if you are unable to stay in your home due to a covered loss. Personal liability protects you from property damage or bodily injuries caused to others in your home, and medical payments for those injured at your home are also included. There are three levels of renters insurance packages (essential, advantage, and signature), so you can choose what you need for your personal situation. The higher levels of renters insurance options offer additional benefits, such as claim forgiveness, refrigerated property, cybersecurity protection with ID theft (or alternatively just ID theft), and limited special computer equipment coverages. See your policy quote for more details.
Add-ons for more coverage available
If you need more protection, you can add scheduled personal property (valuables for broader protection with no deductible), water backup and sump pump, or earthquake provisions to your Amica policy.
Easy-to-understand online quote with three options
To start an online quote with Amica, input the property address and then give your personal information such as birth date and email address. Next, you have to estimate the value of your personal property. The questionnaire has a tool to help you calculate the value if desired, noting that you are able to enter an amount between $15,000 and $500,000. Then tell what type of residence you're in and what the exterior is made from, plus if you have a monitored thermostat or water leak detector. You're asked if you or any member of your household sustained property losses over $500 in the past five years. Finally, you are given a quote for your renters insurance, complete with the monthly payment, down payment, and total for the year for one of three options (essential, advantage, or signature). The policy quote we were given resulted in a $14 per month premium for the lowest policy, a bare bones option which can be upgraded depending on your needs.
But you must call to get the policy
If you want to sign up with Amica, you need to call the number given; unlike other companies, there's no way to create the policy at the time of the online quote. The fine print adds that the amount of the quote may change, since they do not have the credit-based insurance score factored into it.
Some discounts offered
Bundling renters insurance with Amica auto, life, and umbrella insurance will qualify you for up to a 30% discount, as will auto pay methods (up to 5%) and going paperless (up to 2%). You may be able to save more if you add monitoring devices to your rental, such as a temperature monitoring system, or a water or gas leak detection device. Signing up online will also give you an e-discount, which shows up in your quote (which is odd, because you'll still have to make a phone call).
Bonus benefits
Renters Rewards offers Amica insured members credits toward a future homeowners or condo policy premium, up to $500 total. Customers stay loyal to this company, which says that a third of their customers have been with them for over 20 years.
Giving back to the community
Amica believes in giving back to the communities and says they "proudly support the work of hundreds of nonprofit organizations each year," donating over $5 million in 2020.
Website is easy to use, while app has mixed reviews
When applying for the quote on Amica's website, we loved how easy it was to follow the clear instructions and see helpful explanations through it. The quote also features "Insurance 101" clickable information pop-ups to help you understand what is being covered. Amica offers online accounts with access to the app, which is available for Android and iOS devices, to view policy information, claims, and billing. While Apple Store reviewers love the Amica app, Google Play customers rate it at just 3.1 stars out of 5, blaming "bugs," frustrating login requirements, and slow loading.
Customer reviews are mixed overall
An accredited business, Amica has been rated "A+" by the BBB. Ratings on the site are a different story, only averaging 1.44 out of 5 stars across fewer than 100 reviews. Across various online review platforms, the company ranks slightly higher with 2.0- to 2.9-star averages on two websites with around 1,000 reviews, and then surprisingly an excellent rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, where the company has nearly 6,000 reviews. We're not sure why so many negative reviews appear on the two, though it seems that most of the positive reviews on Trustpilot are linked to customer service. Negative reviews rant about raised policy rates and denied claims.
Just average
While we love the easy-to-understand quotes offered by Amica, the higher prices and mixed reviews place the company at just average for us. Keep it in your back pocket as an option after you've checked out the higher-ranked renters insurance providers on our list.
Average
State Farm has provided Americans with home, auto, life, and pet insurance since 1922 in 48 states. Their average renters insurance policies start at $15 a month.
The coverage you would expect
At State Farm, renters insurance covers your personal possessions in the event of damage or theft, as well as covering additional living expenses if you need to vacate your home due to a covered loss. Regarding liability coverages for State Farm renters insurance, you're covered if someone brings a suit against you for damage to the rental property, injury, or even pet damage in excess of the security deposit. Medical payments for those injured on your property are also included. For your belongings, inflation coverage helps by increasing the amount of your coverage as costs rise, and State Farm will pay the cost to repair or replace belongings, with some limitations and exclusions.
Need more coverage? They have options
If desired, State Farm renters insurance may also provide payment for arson reward, collapse, credit or bank card forgery, debris removal, fire department service charges, locks and remote devices, power interruption, property removed, refrigerated products, temporary repairs, landscaping, and volcanic action. Flood insurance is not offered on renters insurance but may be able to be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program.
Quick quote to purchase online
Getting a quote for renters insurance from State Farm online may take less than 10 minutes. To start, you'll need the property address and your personal information (including email address), followed by your insurance history and safety features on the property. You'll get a quote where you can change desired coverages and see revised results in real time. The policy assigns you a nearby State Farm agent as well, allowing you to click a "ready to buy" button and pay for the policy. Our quote was actually less than their stated average, at $8.92 per month for a bare bones policy.
Discounts can be applied
State Farm offers a bundling discount if you combine renters and auto insurance, saving up to $834. The online quote provides an estimate of how much you can save if you bundle, but requires you to contact your State Farm agent after your purchase. Some customers are eligible (it varies by state) for home alert discounts - smoke detectors, fire alarms, burglar alarms - and can also save on their policy if they install certain home security devices. Claim-free and state-specific discounts may also be available, but they are not listed.
Do it all on the app or website
The highly-rated State Farm app is available on both Android and iOS, allowing insured customers to pay bills, save insurance cards, change coverages, file claims and track status, and view policy details. All of these tasks are also available on the website with an online account, if desired.
Declining customer satisfaction and thousands of BBB complaints
Rated "F" for failing to respond to complaints or resolve complaints, State Farm is not accredited by the BBB, receiving an alarmingly high number of complaints in the past three years (over 5,000). Unsurprisingly, this has garnered the insurance company a dismal average of 1.23 out of 5 stars on the BBB site. Negative experiences focus extensively on subpar claim resolution. Across online review platforms, customers give mixed reviews, averaging from 1 to 3 stars out of 5. Unsatisfied insured members shared terrible experiences with getting claims resolved, even saying they would avoid the company "at all costs." One of the pleased customers said "State Farm made the claims process easy" receiving funds in a "timely and professional manner," but this seems to be one of the few exceptions. We are disappointed to see how far this company has fallen from its high rankings of the past (which had been a "B" rating and 4 stars).
Just average
Despite their longevity in the insurance market, State Farm's recent complaints and negative reviews leave us concerned. For the solid policies the company offers, we rank them just average, but caution you to consider other options for renters insurance before signing up here.
Average
Allstate offers renters insurance policies in all 50 states and Washington DC. Established in 1931 as part of Sears, the company has been an independent, publicly held corporation since 1995, with renters insurance policies as low as $5 per month.
Property, liability, and more included
Renters insurance from Allstate covers personal property with replacement cost coverage, liability and guest medical protection, and additional living expenses if your home is uninhabitable due to a covered event, such as a fire. Theft, some water damage (burst pipes, but not floods due to weather), and vandalism are covered events under Allstate renters insurance. Building improvements you have made to your rental are also covered. Personal family liability protection includes actions family members make to damage another's property even while not in your home.
Customizable as you need it
Allstate offers umbrella protection, earthquake coverage, and jewelry add-on for those who may require such additional insurance on their renters policy.
Easy-to-compare quotes in minutes
On the Allstate website, just input your property address, name, and birthdate to get three policy options - basic, balanced, or enhanced - with cost per month (or when paid annually). Allstate allows insured members to choose between paying monthly for a slightly higher cost or paying it annually for a lower rate. The quotes are easy to compare and see what is covered and for what amount. It allows you to easily change the amounts and see the revised quote. We love how easy Allstate makes it to get a quote and compare options without giving too much personal information.
Discounts can save you even more
Paying annually instead of monthly will save you some money. Allstate also allows you to bundle renters insurance with auto, motorcycle, off-road, or term life insurance to save more. A "55 and retired" discount and the Easy Pay Plan are two more ways Allstate discounts their renters insurance policies.
App and website allow claim filing and more
The Allstate website includes some articles to provide additional information, such as tips to improve apartment safety and questions about coverage. Claims can be filed online or on the highly-rated app available for Android or iOS. The app also shows your policy and ID card, allows you to pay bills, and find cheap gas for your car.
Allstate Foundation and a culture of giving
The Allstate Foundation is at the core of the company's "culture of giving," encouraging agents and employees to volunteer and matching their financial contributions. Working to empower youth, the Foundation partners with the Center for Expanding Leadership and Opportunity, as well as TIME for Kids Service Stars. Investing more than $90 million to empower relationship abuse survivors, the Foundation expands public understanding and educates youth, as well as supporting survivors and advocates of the cause. Grants are provided by the Foundation to increase access to thriving-wage careers as well.
Customers are complaining and ratings are tanking
Not accredited by the BBB, Allstate has earned a dismal "C-" rating as a result of unresolved complaints filed against them, with an astounding 1,500 closed in the last year alone. Over 1,400 reviewers on BBB have rated Allstate with an average of 1.13 out of 5 stars. Unhappy customers rant about unpaid claims, questionable business ethics, and terrible customer service. Across online review platforms, thousands of reviewers have rated the company between 1.3 and 3.8 stars. Many positive reviews mention agents by name, while negative ones complain about costs, claim issues, and customer service. We are disappointed to see such negative reviews for an otherwise seemingly great option.
An average choice
Allstate has great options for various price points and gives back to the community through the Allstate Foundation. However, complaints to BBB and negative reviews lead us to caution you when considering Allstate for renters insurance, and to rank them as just average.
Subpar
Liberty Mutual has been around for over 100 years, providing all types of insurance for their customers. The company currently offers renters insurance in all 50 states for as low as $5 per month, though they won't be an option for renters insurance in California from 2026 onward.
Belongings covered with actual cash value
Renters insurance at Liberty Mutual includes personal liability and medical payments to others as well as personal property coverage. Blanket jewelry coverage allows for a coverage dollar amount which is separate from personal property coverage, without requiring an upfront appraisal or a deductible. Your personal belongings are protected from theft or a fire by actual cash value, which differs from most policies we've reviewed. Legal fees from an injured visitor are also covered. Temporary living expenses provide you a place to stay while your rental is uninhabitable.
Need more? Get an add-on
If you have more expensive jewelry or other high-value items, you may want to add on special coverage to your Liberty Mutual renters insurance policy.
No quote without Social Security number
To get a "quick" renters insurance quote from Liberty Mutual, you will need to supply your personal information, including email address, date of birth, phone number, and property address. A little more in-depth than some quote processes, you need to answer questions regarding your pets, roommate situation, and worth of personal belongings. After spending all of that time, you cannot get the quote without inputting your Social Security number. While assuring you that it is secure and will not affect your credit rating, it seems unnecessary to ask for that information to receive an insurance quote.
Early Shopper Discount and others to save more money
Liberty Mutual offers a discount to customers willing to bundle renters insurance with auto, motorcycle, pet, or life insurance, saying that it may save up to 10% off the policy premium. Purchasing the insurance online may save 10%, and you can get a claims-free discount if you haven't filed a claim with your previous insurance company for five or more years. One we haven't previously encountered is the Early Shopper Discount, which rewards you for getting a quote from Liberty Mutual before your current policy expires or renews. We guess it pays to look early.
App and website available 24/7, with easy claim management
The Liberty Mutual website and highly-rated mobile app provide 24/7 customer support. According to the website, the claim filing process takes 5-10 minutes. The app allows you to file and track a claim, pay your bill, or view your insurance card - all without a login (just your name and date of birth).
Community impact
Liberty Mutual Foundation is a way for the insurance company to help the community. They have donated over $67 million and volunteered over 147,000 hours to help with basic needs of food and shelter, build resilience for people and communities, and support climate and community infrastructure.
Overwhelmingly negative customer feedback
Accredited by the BBB, Liberty Mutual has earned an "A-" as a result of government action against the business for a 2023 settlement in Minnesota. Unfortunately, reviews on the BBB have the company averaging just 1.08 out of 5 stars from over 1,500 reviews. This aligns with other online review platforms, with thousands of reviewers complaining about claim handling, increased rates, billing issues, and customer service. On one site, only 1% of the reviews were 5 stars, which is rare. The pleased customers complimented service, the TV commercials (seriously?), and the claims process. However, these were very few and far between. We are concerned about the overwhelming negative reviews for this insurance company and advise you to take this into consideration when choosing your renters insurance provider.
Below average option
While some may love their TV commercials, Liberty Mutual has overwhelmingly negative reviews that leave us hesitant to recommend this company as a choice for renters insurance. We suggest checking out one of our higher-ranking options instead.
Weak
GEICO is known for its catchy commercials and mascots, establishing itself as an insurance agency focused on saving people money. The company has been around since 1936 and offers renters insurance as low as $12 per month.
Hard to discern the facts
Frustratingly, the GEICO website makes it extremely difficult to find the information needed to get a policy for renters insurance. It seems the insurance agency offers in every state through a network of non-affiliated companies, though you won't be able to know which company is underwriting the policy before you get the quote, and conflicting online information makes it difficult to know for certain which states' residents are eligible for the policies. The GEICO website offers "renters insurance information by state" but only for California, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Virginia, leading some online sources to assert that the agency only provides renters insurance for those states.
Renters policies offer actual cash value coverage
Renters insurance from GEICO covers fire and smoke damage, vandalism and theft, weather impact, water damage, visitor injuries, and personal property. Temporary living expenses for a covered damaging event may provide for a hotel stay, and liability protection can include medical payments for those injured in your rental home. The FAQs on the website indicate that most renters insurance quotes from GEICO are for actual cash value coverage over replacement cost coverage, though the website says you can speak to your representative to help choose the one you want.
Customizable if you have valuable items or need disaster coverage
For those who have a jewelry collection, you may want to get a separate jewelry insurance policy, according to GEICO. Replacement cost coverage, natural disasters coverage (flood, earthquake, wind, or hail), and identity theft are all additional coverages which you can add to your renters insurance policy.
Not able to get a quote without Social Security number
The GEICO website asks for basic information to prepare a quote, such as name, birthdate, and property address. Then you are required to enter your email address. Stating that your quote is coming next, once you hit enter, you are asked for more information, including your Social Security number. While it says that it will be encrypted and allow for a more accurate quote, this seems very unnecessary for a generic quote. Additionally, since GEICO does not underwrite the policies, you cannot find out which company is doing that until after you complete this process. GEICO claims you can get renters insurance for as low as $12 per month, though we were unable to see any quotes.
Discounts are available
Bundle renters insurance with GEICO auto to save money. Additional discounts may be offered for residences with security measures, sprinklers, and smoke alarms.
Highly-rated app allows for all you want to do
As someone shopping for insurance, we found it frustrating to uncover basic information on the GEICO website. However, insured GEICO members may use the website to login and check their policies, make payments, add additional policy information, and make a claim. The highly-rated GEICO Mobile app allows those features for both Android and iOS users.
Customers are not happy and complaints are high
GEICO is not accredited by the BBB and has an "A+" rating. The company has received over 900 complaints in the past year on the BBB site, where it has earned a dismal average of 1.09 out of 5 stars from 1,500 reviewers. Across online review platforms, GEICO does not fare much better, earning between 1 and 2.5 stars out of 5 averaged over 12,000 reviews. Rants about customer service, app crashes, and claims warn others to stay far away from this insurance agency. Despite the high BBB ranking, we suggest keeping these customer experiences in mind when looking at renters insurance.
Look for other options
GEICO may offer an inexpensive renters insurance policy and great app, but due to customer complaints and reviews, we advise looking elsewhere for your renters insurance policy.
Poor
Safeco, a subsidiary of a Liberty Mutual Company, offers renters insurance in all 50 states and Washington DC, though they're not an option for renters insurance in California from 2026 onward. The company has been in business since 1923.
Must contact local agent
According to the Safeco website, their insurance is sold only through independent agents. When you put in your ZIP code on the website, you'll get a listing of local agents, complete with their address, phone number, and reviews from customers. (Though it's nice that it tells you if the agent speaks additional languages, the lack of opportunity to get a quote online is annoying). As a result, no price estimate is available on the website, simply saying that it "usually costs a few dollars a month."
Basic coverage included
Safeco's renters insurance includes personal property coverage from theft or damage, arranging for repair or replacement, while additional living expenses are also covered. Liability coverage provides protection if a guest is injured or you damage something at another person's home.
Customizable for higher-valued items
If desired, you can add valuable articles coverage for high-priced collectibles, art, or camera equipment to your Safeco policy. An equipment breakdown coverage is also offered as an add-on.
Discounts may be available
Safeco offers those who bundle auto and home coverage a discount on their policies. Paying the premium in full rather than monthly also provides a discount.
Do it all through the app or online - after you have an agent
Online accounts and the mobile app provide bill paying capability, policy documents, and claim filing - but only after you have an agent, whom you can quickly contact through the highly-rated app (available for Android and iOS users). The website offers a blog with "insurance-related" topics for those interested in learning more about organizing their garages, safely riding motorcycles in groups, and improving finances. While those are maybe adjacently related to insurance, some topics seemed like even more of a stretch - how to make your family vacation a great one, for example.
Supporting the community
Independent Safeco agents are encouraged to invest in their communities; the website features many of the 4,670 participating agents who have delivered meals, provided holistic wellness care, and planted a community garden, among other charitable acts. Additionally, the company awards $10,000 grants to help make a difference in local neighborhoods as well as supporting the Trusted Choice Relief Fund.
Customer reviews won't leave you feeling reassured
Safeco is accredited by the BBB and has an "A-" rating for government actions against the business (related to Liberty Mutual's settlement in 2023). The rating for the company on the BBB site is terrible, with an average of just 1.08 out of 5 stars from over 1,500 reviews, citing denied claims, billing issues, and "horrible" customer service. Likewise, reviews across various online platforms average between 1.1 to 1.8 across about 1,000 reviews, ranting about the difficulty dealing with Safeco reps, lack of communication, rate increases, and claim denials. We advise you to consider these reviewers who tell you to avoid Safeco at all costs.
Find a different option
While Safeco offers renters insurance, we don't know if it's affordable or not because they aren't transparent with their premiums before contacting an agent. Additionally, customers are displeased and warn you to stay away. You're better off going elsewhere for your renters insurance policy (so check out the higher-ranked options on our list).
Continued from above...
A famous movie character once said, "My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." If we could predict the future or anticipate accidents, we would not need insurance. But life's unexpected events - and sometimes landlord requirements - make renters insurance a necessity.
Renters insurance is designed for those who do not own a dwelling to protect the contents in the case of a burst pipe or a break-in. Often landlords require such policies in order to sign a lease. While this may seem like another hassle, it truly can protect you in the case of disaster.
Many people argue that their stuff isn't worth insuring, so why spend money on it? While your decor may indeed be "thrift store chic," consider the cost to replace everything in your home in the event of a fire: beds, chairs, tables, couches, clothing, books, electronics, and more. It adds up quickly. Renters insurance provides the amount of coverage you select to cover your belongings (it's honestly more than you think it will be). Be sure to check if the policy is for actual cash value or replacement cost coverage; these both will pay for your damaged items but calculate their worth differently. (As one insurance website noted, this is the difference between replacing items on eBay versus Amazon).
In addition to the goods you want to insure, consider what you would do if your home became uninhabitable due to a fire or burst pipe. Many renters insurance policies provide additional living expenses to pay for you to live somewhere while your home is being repaired. This can come in handy if you don't have a friend or family member who is able to take you and your family in for an extended period of time.
Another benefit most renters insurance policies include is liability coverage. This shields you from financial penalty if someone slips on your floor and you're found to be at fault, sometimes even paying their medical bills. Liability insurance can also protect you if your dog bites someone or even if you break your friend's laptop by accidentally sitting on it. (Why did he leave it on the couch?!)
There are many factors to consider when choosing a renters insurance policy. Here are the top ones on our list:
At Top Consumer Reviews, we want to help you gain peace of mind with your renters insurance purchase, so we have reviewed and ranked the most well-known providers. Remember, you probably need more coverage than you think, so even if it's not required by your landlord, getting renters insurance ASAP is a smart choice!
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