Being a renter has its perks — no property taxes, no lawn to mow, no snow to shovel. But there's one responsibility your landlord can't take off your plate: protecting your personal belongings.

If a fire swept through your apartment tonight, or a burglar cleaned out your electronics and jewelry while you were away, your building owner's insurance wouldn't pay you a dime. That policy only covers the structure itself — the walls, roof, and building. Everything inside your unit is your responsibility.

That means your furniture, clothing, electronics, appliances, and valuables are completely unprotected — unless you have a renters insurance policy.

We serve renters across North Jersey and the Jersey Shore. Find your town for local rates and coverage details.

A standard renters insurance policy in New York and New Jersey typically covers:

• Personal property — furniture, electronics, clothing, jewelry, and more — if damaged or stolen.
• Liability protection — if someone is injured in your apartment and sues you.
• Additional living expenses — if you're temporarily displaced due to a covered loss like a fire.
• Guest medical protection— helps pay medical bills if a guest is injured in your home.
• Family liability protection— coverage if a family member in your household causes accidental damage or injury.
• Extended protection— computers, jewelry, furs, watercraft, and firearms can be added with extended coverage.

Renters insurance can cover virtually all of your personal possessions. Most policies provide coverage for electronic goods and equipment, small appliances, sports equipment, cameras and photography equipment, furniture, clothing, glassware and china, and books. Other items — such as computers, jewelry, furs, watercraft, and firearms — can also be covered with extended protection.

The good news? Renters insurance is one of the most affordable types of coverage available, often costing less than a few dollars a day.

We encourage every renter to spend just five minutes with a calculator and add up the cost of replacing everything they own. What if you came home tomorrow and your apartment had burned down? Where would you go? How would you pay to replace your clothing, furniture, and appliances? With the right renters policy, you can relax — and say yes to all of the above.