What Renters Insurance Covers
Renters insurance in Louisiana covers three things: your personal belongings (furniture, electronics, clothing), personal liability if someone gets hurt in your apartment, and additional living expenses if your rental becomes unlivable. Most policies cost $15 to $30 per month. Here's how each part works and what Louisiana renters specifically need to watch for.
The Three Types of Coverage
Personal Property Coverage
This is what most people think of. If your belongings are stolen, damaged by fire, destroyed in a windstorm, or ruined by a burst pipe, your policy pays to replace them.
It covers things like:
- Furniture and clothing
- Electronics (TV, laptop, phone, gaming console)
- Kitchen appliances and cookware
- Books, artwork, and decorations
- Sporting equipment and tools
How much coverage do you need? More than you think. Walk through your apartment and mentally add up what it would cost to replace everything: bed, dresser, couch, TV, laptop, kitchen supplies, clothes, shoes. Most renters are surprised to find they own $15,000–$30,000 worth of stuff.
Replacement cost vs. actual cash value: Always choose replacement cost coverage. This pays to buy a new version of your item. Actual cash value pays what your 5-year-old TV is worth today, which isn't much. The difference in premium is usually just a few dollars a month.
Liability Coverage
This is the coverage most renters don't know about, and it's arguably the most valuable.
If someone gets hurt in your apartment and you're at fault, liability coverage can pay for:
- Their medical bills
- Legal defense if they sue
- Settlements or judgments against you
Examples:
- Your dog bites a visitor
- A guest slips on your wet kitchen floor
- Your child accidentally injures another child at your apartment
Louisiana has no cap on personal injury lawsuits, which means a single liability claim can be financially devastating without insurance. Most renters policies include $100,000 in liability coverage, and you can increase it for just a few dollars more.
Additional Living Expenses (ALE)
If your apartment becomes uninhabitable due to fire, major water damage, or structural damage, ALE coverage pays for:
- Hotel or temporary housing costs
- Meals above your normal food budget
- Laundry and other necessary expenses
In Louisiana, where hurricanes, floods, and summer storms can make apartments unlivable overnight, this coverage is essential. It's included in virtually every renters policy.
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What Renters Insurance Does NOT Cover
This is where Louisiana renters need to pay close attention.
Flood Damage
Renters insurance does not cover flood damage. Period. If rising water enters your apartment from a hurricane, heavy rain, or an overflowing bayou, none of your belongings are covered under a standard renters policy.
You need a separate flood insurance policy. Even if your apartment complex isn't in a high-risk flood zone, the 2016 Baton Rouge flood proved that water doesn't respect zone maps. Flood insurance for renters is affordable, often $50–$100 per year through the NFIP for contents-only coverage.
We cannot stress this enough for Baton Rouge renters: get flood insurance.
Roommate's Belongings
Your renters policy covers your stuff, not your roommate's. Each person in the apartment needs their own policy, unless you're listed on the same policy together (which some carriers allow for domestic partners or family members).
Your Car
Your vehicle is covered by auto insurance, not renters insurance. If your car is broken into in the parking lot, your auto comprehensive coverage handles the vehicle damage. However, personal items stolen from your car (laptop bag, camera) can be covered by renters insurance.
Intentional Damage
If you or a household member deliberately damages property or injures someone, there's no coverage. Insurance covers accidents, not choices.
High-Value Items (Above Standard Limits)
Most policies cap certain categories:
- Jewelry: $1,000–$2,500
- Electronics: $2,500–$5,000
- Firearms: $2,500
- Cash: $200
If you own an engagement ring worth $5,000 or a guitar collection worth $8,000, you'll likely need a separate personal articles policy to cover them at their full value. Ask your agent about your options.
How Much Does Renters Insurance Cost in Louisiana?
For most Louisiana renters, a solid policy runs $15–$30 per month, sometimes less. Here's what affects the price:
| Factor | Impact on Price |
|---|---|
| Coverage amount | More stuff = slightly higher premium |
| Deductible | Higher deductible = lower premium |
| Location | Older building or high-crime area = higher |
| Claims history | Previous claims = higher |
| Credit score | Better credit = lower premium |
| Bundling | Add to existing auto policy = 5–15% discount |
The best way to save: bundle your renters insurance with your auto policy. Most of our clients save more from the auto discount than the entire cost of the renters policy.
Do You Actually Need It?
If you rent in Louisiana, the answer is yes. Here's why:
- Your landlord's insurance covers the building, not your belongings. If a fire destroys your apartment, the landlord's policy rebuilds the walls. You're on your own for everything inside.
- Liability protection is crucial in a state with no tort caps. One accident could cost you everything you've saved.
- It's incredibly cheap for what you get. For less than the cost of a pizza delivery each week, you're protected against thousands of dollars in potential losses.
Even if your landlord doesn't require it (though more and more Louisiana landlords do), it's one of the best values in insurance.
Getting Started
If you already have auto insurance with us, adding renters coverage takes about 10 minutes and often triggers a multi-policy discount on your car insurance. For some clients, the auto discount alone pays for the renters policy.
If you're new to Chabert Insurance, we'll shop your renters policy across our carriers to find the best combination of price and coverage for your situation. We also wrote a companion article: Why Renters Insurance Is Worth It
Frequently Asked Questions
Does renters insurance cover flood damage in Louisiana?
No. Renters insurance does not cover flood damage. You need a separate flood insurance policy. For Louisiana renters, flood coverage through the NFIP is often available for $50 to $100 per year for contents-only coverage.
How much renters insurance do I need?
Walk through your apartment and add up what it would cost to replace everything: furniture, electronics, clothing, kitchen supplies. Most renters own $15,000 to $30,000 worth of belongings. Choose a coverage limit that reflects what you actually own, and always opt for replacement cost coverage over actual cash value.
Does my landlord's insurance cover my stuff?
No. Your landlord's insurance covers the building structure, not your belongings. If a fire or storm destroys everything inside your apartment, you're responsible for replacing it. That's exactly what renters insurance is for.
Can my roommate be on my renters insurance policy?
Generally, no. Your renters policy covers your belongings, not your roommate's. Each person needs their own policy. Some carriers make exceptions for domestic partners or family members listed on the same policy.
