Several recent studies have indicated that only a third of all tenants have renters insurance. Respondents to these surveys often indicate that they believe the coverage is too expensive or that the coverage is provided by the landlord. Yet both of these assumptions are incorrect.

First, the average renters premium is approximately $185 per year. In other words, you can get protection for your personal property and personal liability coverage for as little as $15 per month. Second, your landlord will likely have insurance, but it will only cover the house or apartment structure itself along with the landlord's personal liability. So here are some tips for you to consider concerning this essential coverage.

• Create an inventory of everything in your apartment and list the estimated cost of replacing each item. Think in terms of replacement cost, without factoring in any depreciation. This will help you determine the amount of coverage to purchase.
• Take pictures of your more valuable items and store these off-site, such as in a safe deposit box at your bank, at a friend's home, or in an online cloud storage website.
• Shop around for coverage. Get quotes from at least three reputable insurance agents and verify whether coverage is for 6 months or 1 year. Consider getting coverage with your auto insurance company since you may be eligible for a car/renter's discount.
• If your financial condition is solid, consider a higher deductible for your contents since this can reduce your premium significantly.
• Ask about other discounts, such as ones for smoke alarms, sprinkler systems, nonsmoking households, and security systems.
• If you have high-value jewelry items, you may want to schedule those on a separate policy or an endorsement to the renters policy for broader coverage. 

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Call us at 401- 846-9629; we're always here to help!

1. Keep Blinds Closed: Keeping blinds are heavy drapes closed during a severe storm can add a little extra protection against flying glass. An ounce of prevention!  
2. Smaller is Better:
   Seek shelter in a small interior room, closet or hallway in the lowest level of your home - an area with the least décor is always better!  
3. Clean Out Gutters: Excess water in gutters can seep under roof and through walls resulting in interior water damage. Clean gutters allow water to flow freely - off the roof and away from the house.  
4. Trim Nearby Branches: A common cause of storm damage is damage caused by falling tree limbs. Periodically trim all tree limbs within close proximity to your home. Don't forget parking areas where car may be damaged!  
5. Stock Up the Pantry: Keep enough canned goods and other non-perishables on hand to last your family a week or more.  
6. Cook All Raw Meat: Cooked meat has a longer storage life and you avoid possible cross contamination. 
7. Fill Bathtub With Water: Use for cleaning, bathing and toilet flushing.  
8. Check Prescriptions: Make sure that you have a sufficient supply of prescriptions on hand prior to the storm hitting. 
9. Remove Any Unsecured Outdoor Property:
   Lawn furniture, trash cans, toys - anything that could become airborne in heavy wind.  
10. Seal All Openings: Take a walk around your home and note any cracks or holes in exterior walls or foundations. Heavy wind driven rain can drive water through even the smallest of openings. Make your house weather-tight; seal all holes and cracks before a storm hits.

We value all of our clients, but we're always happy to promote the businesses of our commercial clients.We've added a new 'Featured Client' section to our website and e-newsletter, where each month, we'll showcase one of our commercial clients. If you're one of our valued commercial clients, email us a photo, a brief description of your business (150 words max.) and the link to your website and we'll contact you shortly about your submission.