Is renters insurance through RentCafe a good idea?
Summary
Getting a renters insurance policy through RentCafe, powered by ResidentShield, is an affordable and convenient way to protect your personal belongings, cover liability and meet lease requirements. You can sign up and manage your policy directly in your RentCafe account. Plus, if you join RentCafe Rewards, you earn points every month your policy stays active.
Renters insurance through RentCafe helps you protect your belongings, meet lease requirements and keep everything in your RentCafe account. The service is powered by ResidentShield, a sister division of RentCafe, and part of the RentCafe Renter Essentials.
Your property manager’s insurance covers the building itself, but it doesn’t cover anything inside your apartment. That means if a fire, theft or water damage affects your belongings, you’d have to pay out of pocket to replace them, unless you have renters insurance.
Many property managers require proof of renters insurance as part of your lease agreement. You can easily purchase a policy or upload an existing one through RentCafe. Even when it’s not required, renters insurance is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself financially.
What does ResidentShield renters insurance cover?
Coverage options include:
- Personal property protection: Covers items like furniture, electronics, housewares, clothing and more, inside and, in some cases, outside your home.
- Liability coverage: Protects you if someone is injured in your apartment or if you accidentally damage someone else’s property.
- Additional living expenses: Helps with extra living costs, such as hotel stays, if your home becomes unlivable due to a covered event.
- Roommate coverage: Your spouse and up to three additional adults can be covered under one policy.
You can review the extent of personal property coverage for the most common events and belongings below. Contact your insurance agent to learn more or discuss your current policy.
| Type of event/item | Coverage with ResidentShield |
|---|---|
| Fire | Yes |
| Wind | Yes, with $1,000 deductible |
| Lightning | Yes |
| Water damage | Yes (sewer – up to $5,000 resident personal property) |
| Flood | No |
| Earthquake | Only in California (not all insurers cover it) |
| Theft | Yes, with a $500 deductible (not when your car is stolen) |
| Bed bugs | Yes (not all insurers cover it) |
| Pet damage | Yes (up to $500 per occurrence) |
| Money, coins | Yes (up to $200) |
| Securities, manuscripts, or stamps | Yes (up to $1,500) |
| Silverware, goldware, and platinum-plated ware | Yes (up to $2,500) |
| Fine arts, antiques, and memorabilia | Yes (actual cash value) |
| Watercrafts, trailers | Yes (up to $1,500) |
| Aircrafts | No |
| Jewelry, watches, furs | Yes (up to $1,500) |
| Fashion accessories | No |
| Oriental rugs, tapestries | No |
| Other special offers | Custom promotions set by the property, such as gift cards or move-in bonuses. |
| Oriental rugs, tapestries | No |
| Computer hardware & software | No |
| Business property | Yes (up to $2,500) |
| Identity fraud | No |
| Electronic replacement | Full replacement value in case of accidents |
How to get renters insurance through RentCafe
1. Log in
Go to RentCafe.com and sign in to your account.
2. Open your move-in checklist
Once your apartment lease application is approved, you can add ResidentShield renters insurance as part of your move-in checklist. The service must be available at your property.
3. Purchase a new policy or upload your existing policy
No credit check is required to buy a ResidentShield policy.
4. Pick your plan
If you’re purchasing a new policy, choose your preferred plan based on the amount of coverage you need and confirm your payment details.
5. You’re all set
You’ll receive an email with your policy details.
If you’re already a RentCafe resident, you can also sign up for renters insurance or switch from another provider to ResidentShield within your RentCafe portal.
Tip: If you’re not renting through RentCafe, visit ResidentShield.com to request a personalized quote. You’ll need your zip code, property details, desired start date, deductible amount and preferred coverage amount.
How to earn RentCafe Rewards points with renters insurance
As a RentCafe Rewards member, you earn points every month your ResidentShield policy stays active. Points can be redeemed for gift cards, dining, travel and more rewards available in your RentCafe Rewards Marketplace.
To start earning:
- Make sure you join RentCafe Rewards.
- Keep your ResidentShield policy active.
FAQ
Renters insurance is a type of insurance policy designed specifically for people who rent their home. It protects your personal belongings against unexpected events like fire, theft and water damage. It also includes liability coverage, which helps cover medical or legal costs if someone gets injured in your apartment or if you accidentally damage someone else’s property. If your apartment becomes unlivable, it can help pay for temporary living expenses as well.
A ResidentShield policy can start as low as 43¢ per day, depending on your location and coverage level.
You can choose to pay monthly or annually. Annual payments may come with lower premiums. Coverage limits are flexible, so you can match your plan to your budget and the value of your belongings.
ResidentShield offers both a personal property and liability policy and a stand-alone liability policy, often meeting lease requirements. Since requirements can vary by property, check with your property manager to confirm which type of coverage your lease requires.
No. Purchasing a policy through ResidentShield doesn’t impact your credit score. There are no credit checks required to get covered.
Yes. Your personal property is covered both inside and outside your home. For example, if your laptop is stolen from your car (but not if the car itself is stolen) or your furniture is stolen from your storage unit, renters insurance can help cover the losses.