Renters Insurance for Pet Liabilities

You don’t own the rental property in which you live. You also probably don’t know all your neighbors. Still, you pose liability risks for both others and their properties. That’s even more true if you own a pet. Because of pet risks, you need to ensure that you have appropriate renters insurance in place. Here’s why you need to think a little more about pet liabilities in your rental.

Most renters insurance policies cover pet liabilities. However, they often have restrictions that you need to consider.

Renters Insurance Requirements

In most cases, you’ll face a landlord’s rule to buy renters insurance. The most common requirement is liability insurance, usually more than $100,000. The liability coverage will apply to the harm you might do to others on the property.

The rental home belongs to someone else. Furthermore, other parties will interact with you both inside and outside the house. So, during your time in the rental, you could cause harm to someone else. Liability policies can help cover things like property damage or injuries you might cause them.

Pet Liability Coverage in Renters Policies

• Your pet might damage part of the home. For example, they might rip off portions of the home’s siding, or claw at the home’s floorboards. That could cost a lot in repairs to the landlord.
• The pet might damage others’ property as well. It might get into someone else’s apartment and destroy their couch cushions, for example.
• A pet might pose injury risks to others. Your dog might get loose and bite a child on the playground, or knock down someone who then suffers a broken bone.

In cases like these, your liability insurance might help you settle some of the damage costs. Because your pet caused the damage, it might be your responsibility to clean up the mess.

However, tread carefully when it comes to pet liability insurance. For example, some policies will define breeds of pets that have no coverage because they are too high-risk. They will then exclude these pets from any liability protection. Certain dog breeds, and exotic pets often meet such rules.

Always abide by pet safety rules wherever you live. Keep outside dogs on leashes, don’t let your cats roam free, and keep exotic pets caged. That lowers your risks of anything happening and cuts the risk of a liability claim.

Get the renters coverage you need. Call All About Insurance at (817) 589-0006 for more information.

Also Read: Will Renters Insurance Bundle with Home Insurance?