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Your Landlord's Insurance Will Not Replace a Single Thing You Own
This is the fact that catches Virginia renters off guard after a fire, a burst pipe, or a break-in. Your landlord carries insurance on the building. That policy covers the structure, the roof, the walls, and the common areas. It does not cover your furniture, your electronics, your clothing, your kitchen appliances, or anything else you brought into the apartment.
If a cooking fire destroys your kitchen and living room, your landlord's insurance pays to repair the walls and cabinets. Your couch, your TV, your laptop, and everything in your closet is your problem. Without renters insurance, you replace it all out of pocket or you go without.
A renters policy in Virginia typically costs $10 to $20 per month. That's less than a streaming subscription. For that, you get protection for your belongings, liability coverage if someone is injured at your place, and temporary housing funds if your rental becomes uninhabitable. There is no cheaper policy on this entire site that covers this much ground.
Renters Insurance Questions Virginia Beach Tenants Ask
Does my landlord's insurance cover my belongings?
No. Your landlord's policy covers the building structure and common areas. It does not cover any of your personal property inside the apartment. If a fire, burst pipe, or theft damages or destroys your belongings, you need your own renters policy to recover the cost.
Can my landlord force me to get renters insurance in Virginia?
Yes. Under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Code 55.1-1206), a landlord can require renters insurance as a condition of your lease. If you let your coverage lapse, the landlord can obtain a policy on your behalf and add the premium to your rent. Getting your own policy gives you control over the coverage and is almost always cheaper.
How much does renters insurance cost in Virginia Beach?
Most Virginia Beach renters pay $10 to $20 per month, depending on coverage limits, deductible, building type, and credit score. The statewide average is approximately $127 to $185 per year. It's consistently the cheapest insurance product available.
Does renters insurance cover my stuff when I'm not at home?
Yes. Most renters policies provide off-premises coverage for your personal property. If your laptop is stolen from your car, your luggage is lost during a trip, or your bike is taken from a rack at work, your policy may cover the loss up to your coverage limits. Check your policy for any sublimits on specific item categories.
Should I choose actual cash value or replacement cost?
Replacement cost pays what it costs to buy the item new at today's prices. Actual cash value deducts depreciation, which can leave you with a fraction of what you need to replace the item. The premium difference is typically a few dollars per month. For most Virginia renters, replacement cost is worth the small upgrade.
Under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, a landlord can require renters insurance as a condition of your lease — and if your lease doesn't require it, the landlord must tell you in writing that your belongings aren't covered by their policy (Va. Code § 55.1-1206).
