What’s the difference between a security deposit and renters insurance?

If you’ve ever rented or taken a security deposit out on anything, you know that you have to pay a security deposit in case anything is damaged. Then you also need to get renters insurance…in case anything is damaged.

So, what’s the difference? Why am I paying for two things that are supposed to do the same thing?

Well, a security deposit is there to help the landlord repair parts of the apartment that were provided by them but damaged by you, whether purposefully or not. So, a wall chip, a dented refrigerator, breaking your counter in half, whatever. We don’t know your life.

What renters’ insurance handles, however, can be explained by looking at its coverage. Most policies include liability coverage and personal property damage coverage. Liability coverage can help if someone slips, falls, slips, trips, dives, explodes, what have you, inside your apartment. Again, we don’t know your life.

The property damage part is to cover if freak accidents happen to your stuff. Maybe there was a mishap involving some Ramen noodles that resulted in a fire. Maybe the water pipe above you burst. Maybe after a long day, your TV mysteriously “walked away” with the help of a thief. These are things that your landlord doesn’t have to care about. So, your security deposit doesn’t care either. But your renters insurance does.

(Just make sure you’re insured for your stuff’s RCV, not its ACV if you actually want to replace your stuff with similar stuff.)

Renters insurance can also help if your belongings are stolen when they’re not in your apartment. For example, if you have a lot of stuff in your car and the car gets broken into, your renters insurance could help you out.

Renters insurance may also help if you can’t live in your apartment for a bit because of a covered loss. Ramen fire set your kitchen and bed ablaze and render your place uninhabitable? Renter’s insurance can say: Extra money for a hotel! And food! (Basically it could cover costs in excess of your normal living expenses that you have to pay because your place isn’t habitable.)

Want the best renters insurance that cares about you and your weird lifestyle? (Okay, we judged a little.) Talk to our agents and get some cheaper rates on great coverage! (Also, we can help with auto insurance.)