Recommended Renters Insurance Features for Atlanta Renters

When it comes to renters insurance, Atlanta renters have some specific decisions to make about how to protect their investment in all of their personal possessions, from furniture and high dollar electronics, to clothes, books and everything else in their homes. Tenants take out renters insurance to make sure that they get compensation if anything happens to their homes. Here are some features to look for in an Atlanta tenant coverage policy.

Burglary and Theft Insurance

Recent studies show the crime rates for Atlanta in several categories at several hundred percent above those of the nation as a whole. That’s why comprehensive theft coverage makes a lot of sense for this area, especially depending on your specific location. Make sure your insurance company will reimburse you for items lost in a burglary situation. Ask about coverage for your garage if you are housing a specialty vehicle that can be attractive to thieves.

Hurricanes and Flooding

When you’re looking over your renters insurance policy, you’ll see that there are some types of natural disasters that may or may not be covered under the terms of a standard contract. You’ll want to make sure fire damage is covered no matter where you live. Other types of natural disaster coverage will vary by state or region. For Atlanta, a major consideration is hurricanes. Storms like the category three Hurricane Fred in 2009 swamped homes across the city, with about $250 million in total damages across its path. A lot of the damage was in Atlanta. Storms like Fred show how necessary it is to have renters insurance that covers hurricane damage and all kinds of flooding situations.

Dog Bite Insurance

Another big issue with renters insurance is dog bite insurance. A study by Dog Bite Law, a web site on liability from dog ownership, shows Georgia as ranking pretty high in some kinds of dog bite incidents. Nationally, according to the Centers for Disease Control, millions of Americans get bitten by dogs every year. The dog bite insurance you get with renter’s insurance is liability insurance that covers any potential incidents related to your dogs that you keep with you in your home. This kind of coverage is mandatory for some breeds of dogs in a homeowner’s insurance policy. For renters, it’s optional.

Water Damage

Floods are not the only incidents that can lead to water damage in your apartment. A leaky pipe, a neighbor in a building who leaves the water running, or a handyman who accidentally opens a water pipe can all lead to extensive water damage. Water damage to a home often comes from flooding on a floor above. Make sure that this kind of event is covered in your renter’s insurance policy if you are living in a large multi-unit building.

All of the above are things an Atlanta renter may want to look at when moving into this Georgia metropolis. Having the right kind of renter’s insurance coverage means you will have peace of mind about any possible unfortunate occurrences in your temporary home.