Renting a home can be stressful, with all the tasks of moving in furniture, setting up utilities, and ensuring everything is ready for the big day. One important step that often gets overlooked in the process is purchasing renters insurance. Among the many questions you might have about renters insurance, one common inquiry is whether it covers broken windows.
Just like homeowners insurance, renters insurance protects your personal belongings inside the rental property. However, it doesn’t cover damage to the structure of the home itself. So, what happens if a window in your rented space breaks? Does renters insurance come to the rescue? The answer depends on the circumstances, and here’s what you need to know.
What Does Renters Insurance Cover When a Window Breaks?
Accidents happen all the time, and broken windows are no exception—especially if you live in a lively neighborhood. Statistically, 1 in every 525 homes experiences property damage. So, what happens if you’re the unfortunate homeowner in that situation?
The key factor in determining if your renters insurance covers the broken window is whose property was damaged. You’ll need to review the liability section of your renters insurance policy, as this is where most answers lie. While each policy may vary slightly, the general rule is that if you are responsible for the damage, your renters insurance will cover it.
For instance, if you accidentally break a window or if damage occurs due to something like a broken water pipe in your apartment, your renters insurance should cover the repairs for the affected property. If someone else damages your window, their insurance should pay for the repairs.
However, in some situations, your renters insurance might need to conduct an investigation to determine liability. If you’re not deemed liable, your policy won’t pay for the repairs, and the other party may seek to have you cover the cost. In cases like this, you could be taken to court, but your renters insurance might help cover legal expenses related to the lawsuit.
Does Renters Insurance Cover Windows You Break Yourself?
Now, what happens if you break your own window? Unfortunately, renters insurance doesn’t cover self-inflicted damage, whether it was accidental or intentional. In other words, if you break a window in your rental, you’ll be responsible for replacing it out of pocket.
While the cost of replacing a window can vary based on the type and size, it typically ranges from $200 to $1,200, with the average cost being around $600. While paying for the replacement can be a hassle, it’s generally better than leaving a broken window open or losing your security deposit due to the damage.
What Else Should You Know About Renters Insurance?
Renters insurance is generally limited to three main areas of coverage:
- Personal property protection: Covers your personal belongings in case of theft, fire, or other covered perils.
- Liability protection: Provides coverage if someone is injured on your property or if you cause damage to someone else’s property.
- Additional living expenses protection: Covers the cost of temporary living arrangements if your rental becomes uninhabitable due to a covered event.
It’s important to fully understand your policy to avoid any surprises. While renters insurance doesn’t cover everything, such as damage to the rented property itself, there are options to fill in the gaps. Tenant insurance, for example, can help cover property damage done to the rental unit itself, including damage you might cause.
Having the right coverage can help protect your belongings and ensure you’re not left with unexpected costs. Make sure to review your policy, so you always know what’s covered and avoid asking, “Does renters insurance cover broken windows?”
