Find the Best Renters Insurance in Bakersfield, CA

How to choose rental insurance in Bakersfield

Whether you live in an apartment or rental home, don’t assume the landlord has you covered. If your personal belongings are damaged or stolen, or you’re legally responsible for an accident, you’ll need renters insurance for financial backup.

Renters insurance in Bakersfield has three main coverages:

• Personal property, which pays for repairing or replacing your clothing, furniture, electronics and other possessions if they are damaged or stolen
• Liability, which pays for injuries, property damage or legal fees in case you’re responsible for an accident
• Additional living expenses, which pays for temporary costs of living if your rental becomes uninhabitable

There are many reasons why having renters insurance in Bakersfield is important. It covers losses resulting from fires — a constant concern among Californians — and theft, which is more common in Bakersfield than across the U.S.

Besides these two risks, renters insurance usually covers losses resulting from:

• Lightning strikes
• Windstorms
• Vandalism
• Water leaks
• Vehicle or aircraft damage
• Riots or explosions
• Short-circuiting of electrical appliances

You’ll have some key decisions to make when you choose rental insurance in Bakersfield. Each type of coverage has a total limit the insurance company will pay out. Most renters choose at least $20,000 of personal property coverage and $100,000 of liability coverage.

Personal property coverage may have per-item limits, so if you have valuables like jewelry or expensive art, ask about additional coverage called scheduled property.

You also should consider paying a bit extra for replacement cost coverage for your personal property. If you have it, the insurance company will reimburse you the full cost of the item at today’s value. If you only have actual cash value coverage, your provider will factor in depreciation.

How much does renters insurance in Bakersfield cost?

The cost of renters insurance in Bakersfield depends on a bunch of variables:

• The type of rental and the surrounding area
• The coverage limits you choose
• The deductible you choose
• Replacement cost vs. actual cash value coverage
• Your claims history

Most policies cost $17 - $24 per month. Insurers often have discounts if you bundle renters and auto insurance, have home safety features or enroll in auto-pay.

Read a policy carefully before signing up for renters insurance so you know what’s covered and how the claims process works. Ask about additional protection for flooding or earthquakes, which renters insurance doesn’t cover.