There is no reason to spend more for insurance than you need. In the United States, all states have minimum levels of coverage that are mandated and that insurance companies must adhere to. Paying more to get insurance from a ‘big name’ company means very little if their actual policy is not different than a less well known competitor.
When you are talking to an insurance agent or checking out policy quotes online, ask about the specific coverages and limits provided by the policy. And here’s a little secret: Nothing that a person tells you verbally can be counted on to be part of your policy. When you have a claim, how the claim is handled and the amount of money you receive, is based entirely on what the written policy says.
It’s urban legend when you hear somebody say “You should talk to my agent. He really knows how to work the insurance company!” Unless the agent is totally unethical, there is little or no chance that they can effect the outcome of your claim. A good agent will help you all that he or she can if you have the misfortune of having to file a claim. And there are many good agents that pay attention to the claims process and make sure that you are not missing doing something you should. That is good service that you should expect.
It’s even more important to understand that the written policy is what dictates your coverage when you are buying insurance online or through the mail. Consumer groups and the various state Departments Of Insurance have done a good job of laying down the laws that require the minimum types of coverage in a renters
insurance policy.
Today there are basically two different methods of finding the cheap home or apartment renters insurance.
The first method is to get quotes from local agents. Take a look at renters insurance rates for an excellent way of obtaining local quotes and setting up a system to save money year after year.
And the second method is to get renters insurance online quotes where the cost can be even less since you are not paying the extra commission in your premium that goes to support the local agent. Check out the various options we have for obtaining the best online rate and for doing it in the most efficient manner.
You can get the coverage you need at very reasonable rates on cheap renters insurance with just a little bit of effort that will continue to pay off for you year after year.