If you’re lucky enough to rent an apartment or house in the Washington, D.C. area, you already know that it’s not exactly a bargain hunter’s paradise. But it is possible to find renters insurance in D.C. that is cost-effective and comes with a side dish of responsive customer service and extensive coverage.
Do you need renter’s insurance in Washington, D.C? We’d say so, unless you want to be stuck shelling out cash if you are faced with a fire, theft of your belongings, or other mishaps.
We’ve done some of the legwork for you to find the best renters insurance in D.C., using our SimpleScore Methodology. We looked at a number of qualities — accessibility, coverage options, support, customer satisfaction and discounts — to find the best options for D.C. renters, no matter where in the District they live.
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The best renters insurance companies in Washington, D.C.
Best renters insurance overall – Lemonade
They may be the new kid on the block, but Lemonade knocks it out of the park when it comes to pricing and support.
When Lemonade Insurance started writing policies in 2015, it unsettled the big insurers by doing business totally online, with excellent resources and near-instant claim satisfaction. Since then, it’s only continued to improve, and currently holds the top spot in J.D. Power’s Overall Customer Satisfaction Ranking for renters insurance. You can get a comprehensive policy for as little as $5 a month. Customizable options include higher coverage rates for jewelry, bikes, and more; water back-up; and pet or water damage. As an added perk, Lemonade donates a portion of its earnings every year to a charity you choose when you sign up.
Best renters insurance for customer service – Erie
Erie’s 12,000+ independent agents are on the job 24/7 to help you file and manage your claims and handle all your insurance needs cheerfully and professionally.
With nearly 100 years of policy-writing experience, Erie insurance is worth a look when you are purchasing renters insurance. This is especially true if you like working with a live agent, rather than an online chatbot (as you’d get with Lemonade). Erie has agents on the ground in the D.C. region who understand the needs of renters living in the metropolitan area. They can write you a policy that will cover your stuff, as well as provide liability coverage and living expenses if you should have to leave your apartment following a disaster. Bundle your renters policy with auto insurance from Erie and you stand to save money on your premium costs, which is never a bad thing.
Best renters insurance for military members – USAA
USAA’s policyholders sing their praises for the company — and they should, because it excels at pricing, customer service and more.
USAA may just be the best company you’ve never heard of — unless you’re in the military or are a veteran, in which case you’ve probably heard good things about it from your peers. And that’s the catch: USAA only sells policies to those in the military, veterans, and their family members. That demographic is well-represented in Washington, D.C., so if it fits you, USAA should be your first choice for a quote. In addition to competitive pricing, the company is known for its exemplary support of its customers. That support shows itself in everything from quick claims satisfaction to an excellent blog that is filled with information, financial and otherwise, with a military bent.
Most Customizable Policies – Capitol Benefits
A regional independent insurance agency, Capitol Benefit’s agents can write a policy for you that is geared exactly to your needs — at a price that works for your wallet.
Capitol Benefits is a regional supplier of renters insurance policies for residents of D.C. and its suburbs. The company works with a number of national and regional insurance underwriters to provide policies that can be tailored to your specific circumstances. Do you have expensive electronics, jewelry or art? Your policy’s pay-out for these items can be increased. Is your building particularly old or in a flood zone? The Capitol Benefits agents will be able to account for these factors when writing your policy. Since they don’t rely on a single insurer, you get the best from a range of suppliers, managed by an agent who knows the D.C. region intimately.
Most financially stable renters insurance – American Strategic Insurance
ASI offers the best of two worlds: the customer service that you find with smaller regional companies as well as the rock-solid financial stability that it earns through its partnership with Progressive.
ASI offers standard renters insurance that covers theft, fire and smoke damage, wind and hail, and more, along with a handful of customizable options. It has feet-on-the-ground knowledge that comes with its agents’ presence in the D.C. metropolitan area. But it has an edge over other regional insurers: it is partly owned by national provider Progressive, and can tap into the benefits that come with having a mega-corporation standing behind you. One of these benefits is financial stability, as is seen with ASI’s A+ rating from AM Best. What does that mean to you? It means you don’t have to worry about your insurer’s ability to pay out on multiple claims following a large-scale disaster. With Washington squarely in the path of many summer hurricanes, that’s a nice reassurance to have.
Choosing your provider
We’ve included both regional insurers and large national corporations in our listing of the top renters insurance companies in D.C. No one company is right for everyone, and depending on your needs and wishes, the company that works for your neighbor might not be a good fit for you. Here are some pros and cons to help you determine where to start your search.
Local carrier
Pros
- Agents knowledgeable about local area
- Emphasis on friendly customer service and good agent relationships
- May be less expensive
[ Read: What You Need to Know About Bundling Car and Renters Insurance ]
Cons
- Websites tend to be limited
- Coverage options often not as extensive
- Fewer discounts than national agencies
National carrier
Pros
- Often excellent websites, with online quote tools and more
- 24/7 customer service
- Broad range of coverage options and multiple discounts
Cons
- You’re one of thousands of clients: a number, not a person
- Less coverage that is specific to your region
Additional renters insurance coverage in Washington, D.C.
Your renters insurance premium in Washington, D.C. will be determined by a number of factors. A few of these factors are common no matter where you live in the metropolitan D.C. area.
Weather
Washington’s weather is generally mild, with some snow in the winter and hot and balmy summers. But living this close to the Eastern seaboard leaves you vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms that sweep up the coast. In fact, depending on how close you live to the Potomac River, you may be in a flood zone — which means that it would be advisable to consider flood insurance coverage added to your policy.
[ Read: How much is Renters Insurance? ]
Crime
Unfortunately, some areas of Washington have fairly high crime rates. Your insurer knows what those rates are, and will adjust your premium accordingly. Since most renter’s insurance policies cover theft both from your apartment as well as items that are in storage or your car, you may find yourself paying more depending on your neighborhood.
High cost of living
Nobody lives in Washington to save money. In fact, the District lands on many listings of cities with the highest cost of living in the U.S. You’ll pay a premium rate for your apartment and you might pay a bit more for your renters insurance than you might if you lived in, say, Tulsa, Oklahoma. But that fact shouldn’t deter you from purchasing a policy. You can still get good renters insurance in Washington for $20 or $30 a month, and it will be more than worth it if disaster strikes and you need to replace damaged or stolen personal belongings.
How much does renters insurance cost in Washington, D.C.?
The average cost of a renters insurance policy in the U.S. is $180, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Despite the high cost of living in D.C., the average renters insurance policy in the District is only $158. Your own rate, of course, will differ. Factors that play into that include the price you’re paying for rent, the amount of property coverage you purchase, and the neighborhood you live in. Each insurance company uses their own algorithms for determining premiums, which is why it pays to shop around and get several quotes when you’re looking for the cheapest renters insurance in D.C.
Washington, D.C. renters insurance FAQs
There is no law in Washington, D.C. that requires you to have renters insurance. However your landlord can require it as a condition of signing your lease. Your landlord should have their own policy to cover the building — but their policy will not cover your personal belongings. Even if it’s not a requirement, it’s a good idea to have a renters policy no matter where you live.
There is no one provider who always has the cheapest renters insurance in D.C. Each quote is unique, to reflect your own circumstances and location, and the insurer who gives your neighbor a great price may not do so for you. Your best bet is to get several quotes to find the cheapest policy for you.
Renters insurance averages $158 a year in Washington, which works out to about $13 a month. Your own premium may be more, but in general, renters insurance in Washington D.C. is fairly inexpensive.
Too long, didn’t read?
Regional and national insurers who write policies for Washington, D.C. include Lemonade, Erie, USAA, Capitol Benefits, and ASI. All of these companies can write policies that will cover your personal belongings and provide liability protection at a reasonable price. It’s always a good idea to get renters insurance, no matter where you live, since it’s inexpensive and can more than pay for itself in the event of a theft or natural disaster. Your best bet when shopping for insurance is to request several quotes from a range of agencies, since each company is likely to give you a different cost estimate.
We welcome your feedback on this article and would love to hear about your experience with the insurers we recommend. Contact us at [email protected] with comments or questions.
Source: thesimpledollar.com