Does Renters Insurance Cover Electronics? 

In the digital age, our lives revolve around electronics, from laptops and smartphones to TVs and cameras. But what happens if these beloved gadgets get damaged or stolen? Renters insurance will typically cover your electronics. 

Let’s take a look at the fine print. 

When does renters insurance cover electronics?

Electronics are typically covered by renters insurance when damage or loss occurs due to a covered peril, aka “named perils”. These risks usually cover all sorts of situations, including but not limited to:

Theft

If your personal electronics are stolen from your home, vehicle, or even from your hotel room while traveling, your renters insurance can typically help reimburse you for the theft. 

Vandalism

Any intentional damage others cause to your items, aka vandalism, is generally included in your coverage. This means if someone breaks into your home and damages your devices, your renters insurance will generally cover the damage to your personal electronics. 

Fire

Fire damage to your electronics is a common covered loss. If a fire occurs in your home and damages your devices, your policy can generally help cover the costs of repairing or replacing them with something comparable.

Water damage

Certain types of water damage, such as burst pipes, may be covered under renters insurance. However, it’s important to note that flood damage from natural disasters requires a separate flood insurance policy, as it is not included in standard renters coverage.

Windstorms

Damage resulting from strong winds, including those from hurricanes or severe storms, is generally covered under most renters insurance policies. In order for storm damage to be covered, the storm must have created an opening in the walls or roof of your rental home, and the wind or rain that damages your electronics must enter through the opening. 

Smoke damage

If a fire occurs nearby or within your home, and the smoke damages your electronics, your renters insurance can generally help cover the repair or replacement costs.

Understanding these covered risks can help you choose the right renters insurance and make sure your valuable electronics are well protected.

When would renters insurance not cover my electronics?

While renters insurance provides a broad range of coverage to protect your valuable electronics, there are certain situations where your personal electronics may not be covered. These exclusions typically include:

Accidental damage

Drops, spills, and other accidental damages are common occurrences that can happen to anyone, and it’s important to note that these types of incidents are often not included in standard insurance policies. 

To boost your coverage for valuable items, like a new DSLR camera, you can opt for adding Extra Coverage at an additional cost. This option can protect your valuable belongings against accidental damage.

While these things may need appraisals or other proof of purchase—more on all that here—the process is extremely easy using the Lemonade app.

Wear and tear

Standard policies usually don’t cover normal wear and tear, which is essentially the gradual decline of items from regular use. 

Intentional damage

Deliberate damage to your electronics—like impacts such as throwing your PS5 remote at your TV after losing a round of Call of Duty, or misuse like leaving your smartphone locked in a hot car on a 95 degree day—won’t be covered by a renters insurance policy. So, it’s a good idea to handle your devices with care to keep them safe. 

Negligence

Leaving your electronics unattended in vulnerable situations, such as in crowded places or during travel, might mean a loss won’t be covered. It’s important to keep a close eye on your devices to make sure they remain protected.

What kinds of electronics does renters insurance cover?

Renters insurance usually covers most of your personal electronics, but it’s good to know the details of what’s included. Common electronic items generally covered by renters insurance include: 

Laptops, computers, and tablets

Laptops are usually protected against various unexpected events, such as theft or damage from events like fire or water leaks from burst pipes. If your laptop, computer, or tablet is stolen or damaged due to a covered peril, your policy can help cover the costs of repair or replacement, although it’s wise to verify coverage limits for high-value items like laptops with your insurer. 

Cell phones

Cell phones are also commonly covered for theft and certain types of water damage, but accidental damage, like dropping your phone, is typically not covered. 

Cameras

Cameras, including DSLRs and other photography equipment, fall under personal property coverage and are generally protected against named perils such as theft and fire. For those looking for comprehensive protection against accidental damage or loss, purchasing Extra Coverage is a good way to make sure your camera equipment is fully protected.

TVs

Televisions can be covered for damage caused by events like storms or vandalism, but damage from accidental incidents or wear and tear is usually never covered by insurance. Additionally, losses caused by electronic or mechanical failure typically isn’t covered unless you have extra endorsements like Equipment Breakdown Coverage. 

Gaming consoles 

Whether you’re team X-Box or team PlayStation, your preferred gaming console is generally covered by renters insurance under personal property coverage. 

While all of these electronics are generally covered by renters insurance, it’s important to remember that there are a bunch of different policy limits, that can vary by: 

• Your state
• How the damage occurred to your electronics
• How you normally use your electronics 

Remember to always check the details of your policy to confirm your policy limits for different items, and your deductible. 

Are certain electronics not covered under renters insurance?

While renters insurance generally covers most personal electronics, there are some exceptions, including:

• Drones often aren’t covered much because they come with special risks. These include possible problems with other aircrafts, privacy issues, and the chance of accidents in busy areas. At Lemonade, drones are only covered in New York, California, and Virginia, and the coverage is limited. 
• Hobby aircraft like remote-controlled planes or helicopters may not be covered by renters insurance either. They’re often considered recreational vehicles, so you might need a separate policy for them.
• If your apartment came with appliances like ovens, washers, dryers, or refrigerators that are provided by the rental, renters insurance usually won’t cover them. Basically, if you don’t own the appliances in your rental home, your renters insurance won’t cover the damage to them.

Before we go…

Renters insurance can be a vital tool in protecting your electronics and other stuff against a bunch of other bad things, called named perils. While renters insurance can protect your stuff, aka personal property coverage, it can also cover some other things, including: 

• Additional living expenses: Aka loss of use, can cover costs like hotel bills, food, and laundry if a covered loss causes your place to be unlivable
• Personal liability coverage: Offers protection in cases where someone is injured on your property due to an accident, covering medical bills or legal fees from potential lawsuits. Additionally, this coverage safeguards you if you accidentally damage someone else’s property

Ready to get started? Click below to get your free quote today, it’s quick, easy, and even a little fun. 

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A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.