Find the Best Renters Insurance in Buffalo, NY

What does renters insurance cover in Buffalo?

As the second-largest city in New York, there are many different neighborhoods in Buffalo for renters to choose from. For those who like to be a part of the vibrant nightlife, Downtown and Black Rock are extremely popular. On the other hand, Central Park and South Buffalo are popular neighborhoods for young families. No matter your neighborhood, though, there are risks that come with renting.

With a crime rate of 51 per 1,000 residents, according to NeighborhoodScout, Buffalo has one of the highest crime rates in America. Renters insurance offers financial protection after common crimes like vandalism and theft, though.

Policies also usually cover certain types of natural perils, like fire and lightning. Damages from Buffalo’s frequent snow might also be covered.

Generally speaking, renters insurance provides three types of coverage in Buffalo:

• Personal property coverage, which offers reimbursement for the loss of your personal property, like furniture, collectibles and other belongings. Personal property coverage should be customized to the estimated value of your belongings. For example, if you calculate that it would cost $50,000 to replace everything in your apartment, you should have at least $50,000 in personal property coverage.
• Liability coverage is for when you’re found liable for damage to someone else or their property. For example, if someone visits your house, gets bitten by your dog and sues, liability coverage helps cover the bills. Most policies require liability coverage.
• Additional living expenses coverage helps pay for temporary living costs in case of a covered event. In addition to covering the cost of your items lost in a fire, renters insurance can also help cover your living expenses after the event, like if you have to move to a temporary apartment.

What does renters insurance not cover in Buffalo?

Renters insurance doesn’t usually cover natural disasters. Earthquakes and wildfires haven’t historically posed a big threat to Buffalo residents, but the city does experience flooding, which isn’t covered by most renters insurance policies.

Renters insurance policies also don’t cover pest or pet damage, your roommate’s items or high-value items, like jewelry, that exceed your personal property limit. You need to get additional or supplemental coverage for those.

Renters insurance cost in Buffalo

In Buffalo, renters insurance costs between $12 and $47 per month for a 35-year-old single man. The lower end of the spectrum often has smaller limits on personal property coverage and doesn’t include any supplemental coverage, like fine jewelry or bike protection. Your cost also depends on your neighborhood and specific risks that might impact your likelihood of filing a claim.

Most companies and brokers offer different discount options to help save you money, like bundling policies or installing home alarms. You also usually have the flexibility to change coverage amounts to find a cost that works for your budget.

Buffalo renters insurance FAQ

How do renters insurance claims work in Buffalo?

After reporting your losses, usually in a dollar amount, to the police and your landlord, you also submit a claim to your renters insurance company for that amount. Your provider will then probably ask you to document your losses by photo or video and complete a claims form. From there, an agent reaches out to you to complete the process and figure out how much you’re eligible to receive.

Where can I get renters insurance in Buffalo?

There are many insurance agents in Buffalo offering renters insurance, including the companies listed in this guide. These companies were chosen based on their offerings, their proximity to Buffalo and their local customer reviews.

Does renters insurance cover property damage in Buffalo?

Yes, renters insurance policies cover property damage from certain types of events. These are called “covered perils.” They vary from policy to policy but mostly include things like theft, vandalism, fire and thunderstorms.

Do you need renters insurance to rent an apartment in Buffalo?

Though renters insurance is not required by law, some landlords require renters insurance. Check your lease agreement to find out if this applies to you.