You might think that your landlord's insurance policy will cover you if you rent a home in San Diego; however, their policy won't cover you at all.
That is why you need your own renters insurance policy.
We have reviewed 5 of the best renters insurance companies in California for 2020 to make your search for coverage and the buying process super easy.
Our #1 Pick
After reviewing several companies, our top pick for the best overall renters insurance company in San-Francisco is a newer company, Lemonade. They have a BBB rating of A- and some of the lowest rates.
Learn Who Made Our Best Renters Insurance In San Diego List!
Plus More Details On Each Company, Why You Need Renters Insurance, What Does It Cover, And How To Apply For Coverage.
1. Lemonade
4.9
If you follow Lemonade on Instagram, you might notice that they have an untraditional feed that involves a faceless person dipping everyday items into thick pink paint.
What does that have to do with insurance, you ask? Well, it turns out that they take their slogan, “We cover your stuff” literally, and covering it in paint that matches their signature logo.
Lemonade has turned the insurance industry on its head by powering their quote and claims process with AI. The application process is incredibly simple, and, dare we say, fun.
All you have to do is grab your smartphone and enter your address. You’ll answer a few simple questions about your living situation, share some information about your belongings and how much coverage you want, and voila! You’ve got a quote.
Prices start as low as $5 per month, and the company sweetens the deal by donating to a variety of charitable causes.
The claims process is probably our favorite part of Lemonade.
Instead of filling out mountains of paperwork and digging for receipts, all you have to do is record a video explaining your situation (use your smartphone for ultimate convenience) and then list the items that need to be replaced.
Your claim could be approved, and your refund processed almost instantly.
Want to learn more? Read our full Lemonade Insurance review here.
2. State Farm
4.1
If you already have car insurance, then you might want to bundle your renter’s insurance with your automobile coverage.
By structuring this policy this way, you can save significant funds. In some cases, the discounts are so generous that you’re essentially getting your renter’s insurance for free.
However, not everyone qualifies for this bundling discount, so you’ll have to confirm eligibility by contacting State Farm directly.
3. Quote Wizard
4.5
Not sure which company is your best bet for renters insurance? Take the guesswork out of finding insurance and compare several companies side by side.
QuoteWizard can give you several quotes from top companies in just 60 seconds. The average customer could save up to 40% on their insurance premium when they use them.
Quote Wizard is not an insurance company, but it is the best place to find easy price comparisons among renters insurance plans and companies.
They also have an A+ rating from the BBB and are headquartered in Seattle.
Since 2006, they have helped more than 32 million shoppers find the right policy for their insurance needs.
Their process is quick and seamless. It takes less than five minutes for you to answer about ten questions, then they email you a quote comparison.
4. Liberty Mutual
4.4
Liberty Mutual offers a plethora of discounts, which is why we picked it as our choice for the best standard renters coverage.
And here's the thing:
Are you willing to pay automatically? Liberty Mutual will give you a discount. Did you choose claims-free or purchase your policy online? Those will get you more discounts.
If you bundle multiple policies together, you will save even more money.
To top things off, they even have an A Rating with the BBB for customer service and an A.M. Best rating of A(Excellent) for financial stability.
5. Amica
4.0
Amica has an A rating from A.M. Best and an A+ Rating from the BBB.
They are known for having the best customer service for a renters insurance company in California -
A J.D. Power study ranked Amica highest in property claims experience for the eighth year in a row.
When the time comes to file a claim, you want someone who will be prompt and efficient with your claim.
Amica’s high customer service reputation speaks to this need.
Is Renters Insurance Legally Required In San Diego?
California state law does not require renters insurance in San Diego. However, landlords sometimes require proof of renters insurance for a lease.
The good news is that if you do not want to buy renters insurance, you can pick a different place to live.
However, it is smart to think about protecting your belongings.
If you do decide to live where renters insurance is required, a landlord may have you name them or a property manager an “additional insured” individual on the policy.
Additionally, they might require you to purchase a minimum amount of coverage.
What Does The Average Renters Insurance Cost In San Diego?
Several factors impact renters insurance prices in San Diego and the average cost of renters insurance is about $17/month. These prices depend on some of the following:
Where you live
Different cities in San Diego County will have different premiums, depending on environmental risks, such as fire and crime. If your home or apartment has security cameras or you live in a gated community, this could also reduce your cost.
Your deductible
A higher deductible usually means lower monthly payments. Would you instead pay less monthly and more at once, or would you rather pay more monthly and a lower deductible if you need to use your coverage? It really depends on what is best for your budget.
How much coverage you need
What items are you covering? If your belongings have a value that exceeds the minimum coverage, you might want to increase the policy limit. Such a change might increase the cost of your renters insurance.
THE SIMPLY INSURANCE WAY
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You can get renters insurance coverage within minutes of getting your quotes and applying.
What Does Renters Insurance Cover In San Diego?
Renters insurance, also called personal property insurance, covers everything you own that’s both personal and portable. This includes:
In addition to giving you either full replacement cost of these items for the cash value equivalent, renters can also get temporary housing if their home becomes uninhabitable.
There’s also liability protection, which covers the cost of any injuries sustained by other people at your residence.
The events that are covered under renters insurance fall into three categories:
We go into a bit more detail about the areas of coverage for renters insurance:
Personal property
Personal property coverage means that if something happens to your belongings, the insurance company will give you money to replace them at either cost or current value (depending on your type of policy).
Personal liability
Personal liability insurance will cover you in case someone decides to sue you after getting hurt at your house. The insurance company will pay the legal costs and any settlement to the injured party.
Medical payments
Medical payments go hand in hand with personal liability coverage. If someone sues you because they hurt themselves at your house, this coverage will take care of their medical bills.
Loss of use (also called Additional Living Expenses - ALE)
Loss of use coverage means that if something happens to your home and you cannot live there because of the damage, your insurance company will reimburse your living costs.
It is essential to know that earthquakes and flooding are not usually covered by renters insurance in San Diego.
INSURANCE WHERE YOU LIVE
Renters insurance by state.
How To Apply For Renters Insurance
Applying for renters insurance is easy, and can take just a few minutes. The best way to do it is to go online because most companies have a free online process that will deliver a quote within seconds or minutes.
View Your Instant Quote
First, you want to click here or any of the above buttons to start the quote process, you won't need any personal information other than the address to get your quotes fast. Once you have your quotes and pick the coverage option that works best for you, it's time to get covered.
Get Your Personal Information Together
You will need your name, address, and Social Security number. The online forms guide you through several questions to learn more about the rental you will be living in and what coverage you need.
Start Your Online Application
Once you have all of your personal information together, your next step will be to start the application. This will be easy by just following the prompts after you complete your quote.
Know The Safety Features Of Your Rental
The application might ask about smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, and deadbolts. The best renters insurance will offer discounts for those features.
Sometimes, the intake form may also ask if you have pets, especially certain dog breeds. Overall the process can take less than five minutes.
Answer Your Questions Honestly
Be sure to answer every question, truthfully. If you do not, and something happens, the company may deny your claim. Even if they do not deny your claim, you still may be committing fraud.
Add Any Additional Interest
Some landlords may require you to add them as an additional interest; this will let them know if the policy has lapsed or when you have renewed your policy. Most companies can add this during the application process or immediately afterward.
Print Your Proof Of Insurance
Once your policy has been approved and paid for, simply print out your proof of insurance, and you're covered.
Take Action - You Decide
The best renters insurance in San Diego is Lemonade because of their fantastic customer service. State Farm stands at a reliable second place for the same reason.
When you purchase renters insurance, consider affordability, coverage, and ease of use. Lemonade’s coverage ticks all these boxes.
It's also super easy (and quick) to apply for coverage with them, and with the use of their app, you can file a claim, no matter where you are which makes them clearly the front runner.
You can click here to start your path to renters insurance coverage instantly, today.
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