Cheap Renters Insurance: Most Affordable Quotes in 2024


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Updated: September 21, 2024

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MoneyGeek analyzed renters insurance rates across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. and found that State Farm is the cheapest renters insurance provider in 2024, with rates averaging $8 a month or $101 a year. However, rates can still vary depending on where you live. State Farm offers the cheapest renters insurance overall, but other insurers may be the cheapest in your state, such as Auto-Owners Insurance and Allstate.

Renters insurance is necessary for anyone who doesn’t own their home and wants to protect their belongings, but you don't necessarily need to pay an arm and a leg. While quality coverage is something every renter wants, for the vast majority of people, the cost is the most important factor for renters insurance.

MoneyGeek, in partnership with Quadrant Corp, analyzed renters insurance quotes across all 50 states and dozens of major cities to determine the renters insurance companies with the cheapest rates. The cheapest premiums were determined by gathering quotes for personal property coverage of $20,000, liability coverage of $100,000 and a deductible of $500.

Renters insurance quotes mentioned are from September 2024 data.

Cheapest Renters Insurance by Major Companies

Among the major companies in the U.S., State Farm has the most affordable renters insurance policies, charging an average of $8 per month. Coming in at a close second is Auto-Owners Insurance, with an average price of $9 per month. While you might find other options exclusive in your area, MoneyGeek’s study focuses on renters insurance providers who are present in most states.

However, your rates can change based on your personal property coverage limits, which pays to repair or replace belongings like furniture and electronics if they get damaged. For example, with a coverage of $100,000, State Farm's average monthly charge is $18, a $10 increase from a $20,000 limit policy.

Use the table below to see how rates can change based on provider and personal property coverage limits.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Coverage:
Coverage:$20K Personal Property
State Farm$ 101$ 8
Auto-Owners Insurance$ 103$ 9
Allstate$ 121$ 10
Nationwide$ 134$ 11
American Family$ 136$ 11
Chubb$ 165$ 14
Farmers$ 167$ 14
Travelers$ 255$ 21
State Farm

State Farm offers the cheapest renters insurance nationally, charging an average of $8 a month.

Discount Options

To make your policy even cheaper, State Farm offers a discount if there are home security devices installed in your rented property, such as smoke detectors, fire alarms or a home monitoring system. You can also get a discount if you bundle discounts with State Farm’s other policies, such as auto insurance or life insurance.

Additional Coverage

Aside from offering cheap renters insurance, State Farm also offers options to supplement your coverage. For instance, State Farm makes it easy to increase coverage for valuable items like jewelry or art. You can also opt to buy inflation coverage, which is where your coverage limits will increase automatically over time.

Auto-Owners Insurance

With policies averaging $9 per month, Auto-Owners Insurance ranks as the second cheapest renters insurance provider nationally.

Discount Options

Auto-Owners offers a number of discount opportunities for renters, from enrolling automatic payments and bundling policies to being a retiree over 55. For instance, if you’re at least 55 and have retired, or if you bundle a home and auto insurance policy you can qualify for a renters insurance discount with Auto-Owners Insurance.

Additional Coverage Options

For renters who want to supplement their policy with additional protection, Auto-Owners Insurance's endorsements include: identity theft restoration and scheduled personal property. If you want to financially protect yourself against identity fraud, for instance, you can get that coverage with Auto-Owners Insurance.

Note that MoneyGeek determined these renters insurance companies have the cheapest rates on average — but what's best and cheapest for you depends on your situation.

If you're looking for more than just savings on your monthly bill, MoneyGeek has resources to help you learn more about renters insurance so you can make an informed decision.

Find the Best Renters Insurance for You

 

The companies above offer the cheapest renters insurance based on national averages. We recommend using our local data to find the cheapest renters insurance in your state. If you're not just focused on savings, MoneyGeek also compiled resources to help you make an informed decision on which renters insurance company to buy from.

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If you want a balance of both affordability and service quality, MoneyGeek scored the best renters insurance companies across the country.

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If you're still not sure what the function of renters insurance is, learn more about what renters insurance covers.

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MoneyGeek crunched the numbers on the average cost of renters insurance so you can learn how rates change when you adjust coverage levels.

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Ready to buy a policy? Learn how to compare renters insurance quotes to get the best deal.

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WHAT DOES RENTERS INSURANCE INCLUDE?

With a standard renters insurance policy, you have coverage for what you own and protection from accidents, severe weather, fire, theft and vandalism. Floods and earthquakes are not covered unless you purchase a separate policy or add them as endorsements on your renters policy. Renters insurance does include liability coverage, no-fault medical coverage and loss of use/additional living expense coverage if you are displaced for a covered event. — Mark Friedlander, Director, Corporate Communications, Insurance Information Institute

Cheapest Renters Insurance Companies by State

Each state has its own laws and regulations regarding insurance, which means the cost of insurance can vary significantly from state to state. MoneyGeek found that for $20K in personal property coverage:

  • State Farm is the cheapest renters insurance company in 18 states.
  • Allstate is the cheapest in 9 states.
  • Auto-Owners Insurance is the cheapest in 4 states.

Overall, three different companies had the cheapest rates in at least one state, underscoring the importance of shopping around to find out which is the cheapest option near you. Click your state below to learn more the cheapest providers in your area.

If you or your family has a military background, you should also take a look at USAA. It's excluded from this analysis because of its eligibility requirements, but is frequently among the cheapest renters insurance companies.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
State:
State:Alabama
Coverage:
Coverage:$20K Personal Property
State Farm$ 145$ 12
Auto-Owners Insurance$ 157$ 13
COUNTRY Financial$ 163$ 14
Nationwide$ 214$ 18
Allstate$ 224$ 19
Travelers$ 359$ 30
Foremost Insurance$ 566$ 47

How Can You Get Cheap Renters Insurance?

From comparing quotes to bundling coverage, the right strategies can help you discover renters insurance that fits your budget without compromising on coverage. Navigating the insurance market might seem daunting, but with informed choices and a bit of research, affordable and comprehensive protection for your rented space is within reach.

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    Get multiple quotes

    To find cheap renters insurance online, it's essential to start by comparing renters insurance quotes across several companies. This gives you an overview of the rates available to you, allowing you to choose the best policy that matches your needs and budget.

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    Bundle your policies

    Many providers offer discounts when you bundle multiple insurance types, known as a multi-policy discount. For instance, if you purchase renters insurance and get health, life or auto insurance with the same provider, you could qualify for a discount.

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    Choose a higher deductible

    Your deductible is how much you pay out of pocket before your coverage kicks in. The higher the deductible, the lower your monthly premium. Choosing to raise your deductible can be beneficial if you want to keep premiums low, but ensure you have enough on hand to pay it in case of an emergency.

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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

To get a quote, you will need the following information:

  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Email address and phone number
  • Address and ZIP code of your rental
  • Date coverage will take effect
  • Number of people living in the home full-time
  • Name and type of any business conducted in the home, especially things like childcare or pet care
  • Total value of your personal property
  • Safety features (alarm system, deadbolt, sprinkler system, etc.)
  • Credit score and insurance history

How Much Renters Insurance Coverage Do You Need?

Like any insurance policy, the cost of your renters insurance depends on how much renters insurance coverage you need — but this varies from person to person. Many people err on the side of saving money on their premiums, leaving them underinsured when the worst happens.

There are two coverage limits that impact your premiums: personal property coverage and personal liability coverage. Renters insurance has a third coverage, additional living expenses (ALE), which pays for temporary housing if your home becomes unlivable due to a covered event, but this is often set by your provider based on your personal property limits.

How Much Personal Property Coverage Do You Need?

This component of your policy pays to repair or replace your personal belongings if they get damaged or lost under a covered peril. Generally, how much renters insurance coverage you need depends on the value of your personal property — the more items you have and the more valuable they are, the more coverage you need.

However, balance is important. Buy too much, and you’re paying for coverage you’ll never use — buy too little, and you’re stuck paying thousands of dollars to make yourself whole again after a disaster. To properly determine your personal property coverage limits, create a home inventory. Make a record of your belongings and assign a price to it — the sum is your basis for your limit.

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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

To decide how much insurance to buy, you need to know the value of all your personal possessions — including furniture, clothing, electronics, appliances, kitchen utensils and even towels and bedding. In other words, if your home were to burn, you should have enough insurance to replace all of your possessions.

The easiest way to figure out how much renters insurance coverage to buy is to create a home inventory (a detailed list of all of your personal possessions, with their estimated value). An up-to-date home inventory will also make filing an insurance claim faster and easier. — Mark Friedlander, Director, Corporate Communications, Insurance Information Institute

How Much Personal Liability Coverage Do You Need?

Personal liability coverage is a standard component of your renters insurance policy that safeguards you against financial losses if someone is injured on your property or if you're found responsible for damages. Generally, the amount of personal liability coverage you need hinges on your potential risk exposure — the more assets you have and the higher the chances of someone getting injured in your rented space, the more coverage you might consider.

Yet, it's not just about the assets you own. Think about your lifestyle and activities. If you frequently host gatherings or have a pet, there might be a higher likelihood of accidents or injuries occurring on your premises. In such cases, opting for a higher coverage limit can offer peace of mind. It's also wise to consider the legal landscape and medical costs in your area, as these can influence potential liability expenses.

Compare Renters Insurance Rates

Ensure you're getting the best rate for your renters insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

FAQ: Cheap Renters Insurance

It can be difficult to know where to start looking for renters insurance. The frequently asked questions below can help guide you in your search for cheap renters insurance.

Which company has the cheapest renters insurance per month?
Is affordable renters insurance reputable?
Why is renters insurance so cheap compared to home insurance?

About Rachael Brennan


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Rachael Brennan is a professional freelance writer. She has been published on a number of websites, including Adweek, Glamour and Cracked. She has also worked in the insurance industry for more than a decade, earning her P&C license in all 50 states and her life, health and AD&D license in New York and the surrounding states.


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