Renters do need renters insurance as homeowners insurance does not cover the renter’s property or possessions. Renters insurance covers your possessions against losses from fire, lightening, vandalism, theft, explosion, windstorm, water damage from plumbing etc. It also pays for the reasonable additional costs of temporarily living away from your home if you can’t live in it due to insured disaster. It covers hotel bills, temporary rentals, restaurant meals, and other expenses while your home is being rebuilt.

To file renter’s insurance claim, you need to follow the proper guidelines as given in the policy instructions. After any insured disaster, read your policy documents to know whether your losses are covered under the policy conditions. Once confirmed, note down the date, time of day, and detailed list and description of damages etc. It is required to contact your insurance agent or company and notify them about your loss as soon as possible. Collect and secure the canceled checks, bills, receipts, and other documents that you might need when an adjuster set a value on damaged property. Also, try to take photographs of the damaged property.

In case your policy documents are also destroyed with other property, simply call your insurance agent and ask for a copy of the policy. It is advisable that do not make permanent repairs to the damaged property before an adjuster inspects them. You can make temporary repairs to protect them from further damage. You need to be present at your home along with your contractor, or builder at the time of insurance adjuster’s inspection. Your claim amount will entirely depends upon the inspection report submitted by adjuster.

After inspecting your claim application and the adjuster’s final report, the insurance company will offer you the compensation amount. If you are satisfied, company will make the payments as soon as they get your approval, but if you are not agreed, you can talk to the company and discuss the matter with them or you can contact some insurance attorney specialized in dealing with insurance claims.