Are you moving to the Columbia area and wondering if you need renters insurance? Well, you are certainly not alone! People are flocking to South Carolina and rentals are filling up fast! According to a 2014 survey by United Van Lines, a large moving company, South Carolina ranks second in the nation for having more people moving into the state than out of the state.
Many people considering renters insurance are on the fence about the decision; they wonder if the extra expense is justified. College students often don’t want to pay the extra expense, and some don’t even know about renters insurance, but protecting those expensive laptops and big screen TVs is what renters insurance is all about! There are the three main reasons for renters insurance:
- Get Compensated For Catastrophic Loss – You think it could never happen to you but rental places burn down every day. Literally in a matter of minutes, you could potentially lose almost everything you own! Just basic household items like everyday dishes, furniture, decorations, clothing, and televisions can easily add up to $30,000. If you own expensive jewelry, antiques, or valuable collectibles, it can easily add up to much more. Renters insurance protects you from catastrophic losses that could easily damage your life for years.
- Protect Yourself Against Liability – As the largest city in South Carolina, most of the renters in our area live an urban lifestyle. They love to entertain friends with cocktail parties, dinner parties, or a good movie night. These social events keep us connected and happy. However, these fun times can turn sour very quickly if one of your guests gets injured while inside your rental. For example, they could slip and fall on a step and break a leg. When this type of accident happens on the property you are renting, you can be held liable for the cost of medical bills, time off work, and even pain and suffering. The damages for such an accident can run in the tens of thousands to hundreds of dollars. The good news is that renters insurance will cover you so the money doesn’t come out of your own pocket.
- Vandalism and Theft Protection – You head to the beach one beautiful weekend with your significant other. You walk the beach looking for sea treasures and then dine at a little cafe overlooking the water at sunset. It’s a glorious weekend until you come home to find the place you are renting has been vandalized or robbed. Some teenagers have broken in while you were gone and decided to have a party at your place. After ruining your furniture and tearing up the place, they decide to take your electronics before they leave. No matter how well you lock up, vandalism and theft can happen to anyone. Renters insurance protects you from these type of occurrences.
For just a few hundred dollars a year, or less, you can protect yourself with renters insurance and have complete peace of mind. Yes, it is always a hassle to have to deal with the types of situations described above, but having the money to replace your lost items makes it much easier to regroup and get your life back on track.
