Assurant is a leading insurance provider that offers renters insurance policies to protect tenants’ personal property against damage or theft. With over 100 years of experience, Assurant provides customized coverage options at competitive rates.
Some key features and benefits of Assurant renters insurance include:
Replacement cost coverage – Assurant will pay to replace your belongings at current prices, without depreciation deductions. This ensures you can fully restore your possessions.
Flexible liability coverage – Get coverage ranging from $100,000 to $1 million to protect against legal costs if someone is injured in your rental.
Worldwide coverage – Your belongings are covered anywhere in the world, so you’re protected when traveling.
Additional living expenses – If your rental is uninhabitable due to a covered loss, Assurant covers hotel or apartment rental expenses while you find a new place.
Electronics protection – Gadgets can be covered against theft, accidental damage and mechanical breakdowns.
Identity theft services – Free access to resolution services if your identity is stolen.
With Assurant renters insurance, tenants can customize a policy for their needs and budget to safeguard their belongings in the event of unexpected disasters or theft. The company has a reputation for efficient claims handling and strong customer service.
Coverage Options
Renters insurance from Assurant offers several standard coverage options to protect your possessions and provide liability protection.
Personal Property Coverage
This covers your personal belongings like furniture, clothing, electronics, and other items in your rental unit against perils like theft, vandalism, fire, and water damage. You select a coverage limit when purchasing the policy. Standard limits are often $20,000-$30,000, but you can increase this if needed. Make sure to document your valuables with photos/receipts and purchase replacement cost coverage.
Liability Coverage
The liability portion covers you if someone is injured in your rental unit and decides to take legal action against you. It pays for the other person’s medical bills and covers legal defense costs up to the limit. $100,000 is a common liability limit, but you can raise it if desired. This protects you from lawsuits.
Loss of Use Coverage
If your rental unit becomes unlivable due to a covered loss like fire damage, this will pay for your additional living expenses like hotel stays and restaurant meals while you are displaced. It is usually 10-20% of the personal property coverage limit.
Additional Coverages
Assurant offers additional options like flood insurance, earthquake insurance, and identity theft protection for added premiums in certain areas. These provide protection beyond the standard policy. You can also add coverage for expensive items like jewelry, collectibles, bicycles, and electronics.
Discounts
Renters insurance can get expensive, but Assurant offers a variety of discounts to help lower your premiums. Here are some of the common discounts to look out for:
Multi-policy discount – If you bundle your renters insurance with other policies like auto or life insurance, you can save up to 15%.
Security system discount – Having a security system professionally installed can earn you up to 5% off. Make sure to submit proof to Assurant.
Long-term customer discount – The longer you stay insured with Assurant, the larger your loyalty discount grows over time. This can go up to 20% savings.
Claims-free discount – Avoiding claims on your policy for 3-5 years in a row could mean discounts of 10-15%.
Student discount – Full-time college students under 25 can qualify for a student discount of up to 15%. Submit proof of enrollment.
Retiree discount – Retirees ages 55+ may be eligible for modest savings, usually around 5%.
To maximize savings, bundle as many policies together as you can, maintain a long tenure with Assurant, avoid frequent claims, and inquire about every discount possible. Installing protective devices like smoke detectors and alarm systems can also help lower your costs. Shop around and compare quotes regularly to ensure you’re getting the best rate. With the right discounts, you can significantly reduce your Assurant renters insurance premium.
Claims Process
Filing a claim with Assurant is straightforward. As soon as you discover damage or loss to your property, you should start the claims process right away.
The first step is to call Assurant and report the claim. An agent will walk you through the process and let you know what documentation and information they need from you. Having the policy number handy speeds up this process.
After reporting the claim, an adjuster will contact you to investigate the loss. They will ask for any evidence related to the damage, such as photos or repair estimates. You may need to submit evidence of ownership as well for any stolen items.
The adjuster will determine if the cause and loss are covered under your policy. If so, they will outline the approved payout and repair process based on your coverage limits.
For covered claims, Assurant has a network of contractors who can repair or replace your belongings quickly. Or you can work with your own contractor and submit invoices for reimbursement up to your coverage limits.
Assurant aims to process claims rapidly, with payouts issued within days of claim approval. You can track the status of your claim online or via the mobile app.
If any part of your claim is denied, you can appeal the decision. Assurant also has a streamlined process for any additional living expenses you may incur during the repairs process.
The key is to thoroughly document the damage and loss, communicate promptly with your adjuster, and provide all necessary paperwork. Assurant’s claims agents are available to help you each step of the way.
Bundling Options
One of the benefits of getting your renters insurance through Assurant is the ability to bundle it with other policies and get a multi-policy discount. Assurant offers renters insurance bundled with auto insurance, which can help you save money on both policies.
Bundling your renters and auto insurance with Assurant streamlines your insurance needs into one package. This consolidated approach makes policy management easier, with just one bill for all your coverage. Bundling also leads to a multi-policy discount, reducing your overall insurance costs.
The exact amount of the multi-policy discount will depend on the state and specific policies purchased. But in general, you can expect to save up to 15% on your auto insurance premium when you bundle it with a renters insurance policy from Assurant. This discount is applied automatically when you purchase both policies together.
Beyond just auto insurance, Assurant allows you to bundle renters with other policies like motorcycle, boat, flood and more. No matter what additional insurance needs you may have, bundling them with your renters policy saves you money. It’s an easy way to maximize discounts while getting robust coverage.
So if you want simplified insurance billing and lower rates, consider getting renters and auto insurance together in a bundle from Assurant. The multi-policy discount can add up to significant savings over time. Bundling is one of the best perks of getting renters insurance from Assurant.
Limits and Deductibles
Renters insurance policies have set coverage limits that determine the maximum payout you can receive for certain types of claims. Understanding these limits can help you select the right policy to meet your needs.
Liability Limits
The liability limit is the maximum amount the insurer will pay per occurrence if you are legally responsible for bodily injury or property damage to a third party. Typical renters insurance liability limits are $100,000, but limits up to $500,000 or $1 million are available. Higher liability limits cost more in premiums but provide greater protection in the event you are sued.
Personal Property Limits
The personal property coverage limit is the maximum amount the insurer will pay to replace your stolen or damaged personal belongings in the event of a covered loss. Standard renters insurance policies often have personal property limits between $20,000 to $30,000, which is sufficient for most renters. If you have expensive jewelry, art, musical instruments or other valuables, you may need extra coverage with a special personal property floater or endorsement.
Deductibles
The deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before insurance coverage kicks in. Typical renters insurance deductibles are $500 or $1,000. Choosing a higher deductible lowers your premiums but means you pay more upfront for small claims. A lower deductible costs more per month but reduces the amount you pay for minor losses. Evaluate your budget and risk tolerance when selecting a deductible.
Adding Roommates
Adding a roommate to your Assurant renters insurance policy is easy to do and can help provide protection for all occupants in your rental unit. Here’s what you need to know:
Process for Adding Roommates
To add a roommate to your existing Assurant policy, you simply need to contact Assurant and provide your policy number and the name of the new roommate you wish to add. An Assurant agent will update your policy to include the new roommate and make any necessary adjustments to your coverage limits or premium.
The process is quick and can usually be completed in one phone call. As long as your roommate meets Assurant’s eligibility criteria, they can be added to your active policy right away. Make sure to add any roommates as soon as they move in to ensure full protection.
Impact on Premiums and Coverage
Adding a roommate will result in an increase in your annual premium, as you are now insuring an additional person and their possessions under your policy. However, this increase is usually minimal. You’ll still benefit from Assurant’s multi-policy and multi-person discounts.
Your coverage limits will remain the same when you add a roommate, so you don’t need to worry about reducing the amount of protection per person. Assurant simply extends your existing coverage to apply to all named insureds on the policy. Just make sure your limits are sufficient to cover all roommates’ belongings.
Adding responsible, low-risk roommates can actually end up reducing your individual premium, as the total cost is split among more people. The easiest way to find out the premium impact is to contact Assurant and provide details on who you want to add.
Filing a Claim
Filing a claim with Assurant after a loss can seem daunting, but following these steps will help make the process as smooth as possible:
1. Report the loss immediately
Don’t delay reporting the claim, even if you don’t have all the details or documentation ready yet. Call Assurant or start the claims process online as soon as possible after the loss occurs. This will get the ball rolling on your claim.
2. Have your policy information handy
When you report the loss, make sure to have information like your policy number, contact details, and address of the property where the loss occurred. This helps Assurant pull up your policy details quickly.
3. Describe what happened
Explain what led to the loss in as much detail as you can when reporting it. For example, note if there was a fire, theft, water damage, etc. Providing an accurate account helps Assurant determine next steps.
4. Compile documentation
Start gathering any documentation related to the loss like police reports, inspection reports, repair estimates, receipts, etc. Assurant will let you know what documents are required later in the claims process.
5. Cooperate fully with the adjuster
An Assurant claims adjuster will be assigned to your case to investigate the loss. Work closely with them by providing access to the property, answering questions, and supplying documentation as needed. This helps move the claim along.
6. Understand the process
Know that the claims process involves investigation, documentation, potential property inspections, determination of coverage, and resolution. Assurant aims to resolve claims fairly based on policy terms.
Following these tips and steps will help make filing an Assurant renters insurance claim much smoother. Stay in close contact with your adjuster and provide what’s needed to help settle your claim fairly.
Policy Management
Managing your Assurant renters insurance policy online is easy and convenient. You can access your policy information 24/7 through Assurant’s online portal or mobile app.
The online account management system allows you to:
- View your policy documents, including your declaration page with details of your coverage.
- Pay your bill online through various payment methods like credit card or bank account. You can set up autopay as well.
- Make changes to your policy, such as updating your address or adding new valuables to your coverage.
- File a claim and check claim status.
- Access your proof of insurance documents to provide to landlords or others.
- Update your email, phone, and contact information.
Assurant’s online system makes managing your renters insurance policy stress-free. You can handle billing, make changes, file claims, and access documents conveniently on your own schedule. The portal and mobile app provide 24/7 access to your policy information and tools.
Alternatives to Assurant
When shopping for renters insurance, it’s important to compare options from multiple providers. Here’s an overview of some top alternatives to Assurant renters insurance and how they compare on key factors:
State Farm
Pros
- Large selection of discounts, including multi-policy, security system, and good student discounts.
- Bundling renters with auto insurance can lead to further savings.
- Highly rated mobile app and claims process.
Cons
- May have higher premiums than some competitors in certain areas.
- Fewer customizable coverage options compared to some insurers.
Coverage & Cost
State Farm provides standard coverage options similar to Assurant. Average annual premiums run slightly higher than Assurant in some regions.
Allstate
Pros
- Usage-based options available to save based on actual apartment usage.
- Bundling discounts with auto insurance policies.
- High marks for claims satisfaction and financial strength.
Cons
- Limited discount opportunities compared to some other large insurers.
- Mixed reviews of customer service among policyholders.
Coverage & Cost
Allstate offers standard renters insurance coverage with average annual premiums very close to Assurant’s pricing.
Lemonade
Pros
- Convenient instant quoting and binding process online.
- Gives back unused premiums to charity if no claims filed.
- Low cost renters insurance, often cheaper than competitors.
Cons
- Still a relatively new company compared to long-standing insurers.
- Limited coverage options and add-ons.
- Availability still limited to certain states.
Coverage & Cost
Lemonade provides basic renters insurance coverage at very affordable rates, often cheaper than Assurant policies. Customization is more limited.