Renters Insurance FAQs

You can pay your renters insurance premium in several ways:

• Online: Log into or set up your online account to make payments anytime
• Phone: Call 833-304-3051 to use our 24/7 automated payment system or if you prefer to speak with an agent call us at 800-640-2920. (Monday to Friday 7:30 am – 7:30 pm PT and Saturday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm PT)
• Mail:
  Wawanesa General Insurance Company
  P.O. Box 85048
  San Diego, CA 92186-5048

Paying your renters insurance on time is important. If you need to pay a few days late or request a payment accommodation, please contact us at 800-640-2920. Our helpful agents will review your options and ensure your coverage does not lapse.

Cancellation fees vary by state.

• California: No cancellation fees
• Oregon: $50 cancellation fee if you cancel within 60 days of your policy's start date; no fee after 60 days

Renters insurance costs around $12 per month[1] for basic coverage with a $15,000 personal property liability limit. It's one of the most affordable types of insurance, considering the protection it provides tenants.

While renters insurance isn't mandatory, we strongly recommend it for tenants. For a very affordable premium, renters insurance:

• Covers personal possessions at home and while traveling
• Provides temporary living expenses after a covered incident
• Provides liability protection in the event of a lawsuit

Yes, your landlord can require you to carry renters insurance. Even if not required, it's wise to have coverage, as your landlord's insurance typically only covers the building structure. Without renters insurance, you'd be financially responsible for replacing your belongings if they were damaged or destroyed by a covered incident.

Yes, you still need renters insurance even if your landlord has insurance. Your landlord's policy typically only covers the building structure and common areas—not your personal belongings, liability for accidents inside your unit, or temporary living expenses if your rental becomes uninhabitable due to a covered incident. Renters insurance can help protect your personal property and finances from unexpected events that your landlord's policy doesn't cover.

Renters insurance can cover damage to your personal belongings from various situations, including:

• Fire or lightning
• Windstorm or hail
• Explosion
• Riot or civil commotion
• Aircraft
• Vehicles
• Smoke
• Vandalism
• Theft
• Falling objects
• Weight of ice, snow, or sleet
• Accidental discharge or overflow of water
• Sudden and accidental tearing, cracking, or bulging
• Freezing
• Sudden and accidental damage from artificially generated electrical current
• Volcanic eruption
• Lawsuits for injuries sustained by guests on the premises

In addition to a basic renters policy, you can also purchase additional coverage. Learn more about renters insurance coverage.

Personal property belonging to you, your spouse, family members living with you, and pets will be covered by your renters insurance. Roommates need their own renters insurance policies as they won't be covered under yours.

Covered items typically include furniture, books, appliances, clothing, and electronics. Your liability will also be limited in the event that a visitor to your home is accidently injured.

Yes, your renters insurance can cover damages if your dog accidentally bites a visitor, provided your pet is listed on your policy and not on the list of breeds considered dangerous. Always refer to your specific renters policy for coverage details.

Personal liability refers to your financial responsibility if a guest is injured in your home and sues you for medical expenses. A renters insurance policy limits your personal liability, protecting your assets in the event of a lawsuit.

Your renters policy will pay to replace basic belongings like clothing and furniture and more expensive items like electronics and computers, to name just a few. For a complete list of covered items, refer to your declaration page or call us at 800-640-2920.

The declarations page of your renters insurance policy will show you the details of your coverages. The declarations page will also outline what your maximum amount for personal property coverage and the maximum amount of extra coverage if it was purchased for specific personal belongings.

Yes, you can increase coverage on certain valuables. To get the best protection for your valuable items, call us at 800-640-2920.

Yes, eligible personal belongings are covered under your renters policy anywhere in the world.

No, your renters insurance policy only covers your belongings and those of family members listed on your policy. Roommates need to purchase their own separate renters insurance policies to protect their personal belongings.

Yes, if your rental becomes uninhabitable due to a covered incident (like fire or water damage), your renters insurance policy's loss of use coverage will help pay for temporary accommodations such as hotel stays, as well as additional living expenses like meals. This coverage remains in effect until your rental is repaired or you find a new permanent residence, subject to your policy limits.

It depends. Our renters insurance may provide coverage for belongings kept in a separate storage unit, but often with lower limits than items kept in your residence. Please check your policy for specific off-premises coverage limits or call us at 800-640-2920 for more details.

The fastest way to start your policy is to get a quote online or call us at 800-640-2920. Once your coverage is approved, you can make your premium down payment with a credit or debit card, or through your checking or savings account.

You can earn discounts if your home has certain safety and security features. Learn more about the renters insurance discounts available for our members.

You can report a claim anytime by calling 888-WAWA-CLAIM (929-2252) — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Yes, documentation helps the claim process and settlement proceed more efficiently. We recommend:

• Creating an inventory of all your belongings before a loss occurs
• Keeping receipts, especially for valuable items
• Taking photos of your belongings

A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance covers the rest. For example, with a $500 deductible on a $1,500 claim, you would pay $500 and your insurance would reimburse $1,000.

The best way to request changes is to call us at 800-640-2920. Our agents can help you:

• Add people to your policy
• Change coverages and dates
• Change your address if you move

We hate to lose you, but if you need to cancel your policy, give us a call at 800-640-2920 and one of our helpful agents will be happy to help you.

Coverage changes can be made by calling us at 800-640-2920, Monday to Friday 7:30 am - 7:30 pm PT and Saturday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm PT. Changes typically take effect at midnight after they are processed, although some changes may require more time for review.

Yes, you can transfer your renters insurance when you move to a new address. Simply contact us at 800-640-2920 to update your policy with your new home address. This is preferable to canceling and starting a new policy, as it helps maintain continuous coverage. Please note that your premium may change based on various risk factors of your new rental location and any adjustments to your coverage needs.