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Everyone knows that insurance is there to protect people. They often hope they never need it, but it comes into play more often than they know.

Landlords typically buy landlord insurance, which protects the buildings and any personal belongings they have on the property. However, it won't cover the tenant's items. They'd need renters insurance for that.

Whether they live in Las Vegas or Fernley, Nevada, renters insurance is crucial to protect their things. The state features natural beauty everywhere, such as sky islands in the mountains, rugged canyons, desert landscapes, and more. Though these are beautiful, they can also lead to damage.

Today, you'll learn if you can require renters insurance, why you should, and much more.

What Is Nevada Renters Insurance?

It's important to know what renters insurance is. This type of insurance protects tenants from many covered perils or unexpected events.

Overall, renters insurance in Nevada offers additional living expenses, liability coverage, and personal property coverage. Those living in Las Vegas and elsewhere should have it. Typically, coverage is very broad to help in various situations.

However, tenants shouldn't only know what it is; they need to understand which coverages meet their needs before they invest. If you learn about renters insurance now, you can explain it to them and help them see the benefits of buying it.

Average Renters Insurance Rates in Nevada Per Year

The average cost of renters insurance for those in Nevada is about $252 per year, which is $21 per month. For comparison, the national average is only $159 per year.

Why is renters insurance more expensive in Nevada? There are many reasons, such as higher crime rates, more risks of theft and property damage because of natural disasters, and more. Likewise, some tenants will need more coverage. Each renters insurance company offers basic options and then additional choices for a comprehensive policy.

How Much Does Nevada Renters Insurance Cost (Based on Popular Cities)?

ValuePenguin claims that Fernley tenants will pay lower renters insurance rates than those in North Las Vegas. Overall, the cost of renters insurance will depend on where they live and how many items they have to cover.

Here is a look at the most popular cities in Nevada and the price for renters insurance:

  • Winchester - $255/year
  • Sun Valley - $222/year
  • Reno - $221/year
  • North Las Vegas - $280/year
  • Las Vegas - $238/year
  • Henderson - $242/year
  • Fernley - $205/year
  • Carson City - $229/year

Is Renters Insurance Required in Nevada?

Is renters insurance required in Nevada? No. There are no state or federal laws in place demanding that tenants carry renters insurance. However, landlords can mandate renters insurance in the lease agreement.

It's wise to put a clause in the lease agreement stating that renters insurance is required. This protects you and the tenant. Likewise, you can also request proof of the policy. To do that, most people would add you as an interested party so that you're notified of cancellations or changes. However, they can also send you a copy of the policy.

What Does Renters Insurance Cover in Nevada?

Though Nevada is a great place to live, it does see many natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, and landslides. Typically, these things are not covered in a standard renters insurance policy. Tenants would need to buy separate coverage to protect themselves from flood, landslide, and earthquake damage.

Did you know that Nevada is in an active earthquake zone? There are seven major faults that run through Carson City and Reno. Typically, earthquakes cause damage to the buildings, but they can also extend to the tenant's property if the magnitude is high enough. Getting the best renters insurance will help, but people might have to request earthquake endorsements.

Knowing this, it's important to focus on what is covered by renters insurance in Nevada. Let's break down what the policy covers and the coverage options now:

Personal Property Coverage

Personal property coverage will protect the tenant's personal belongings. It doesn't matter if they are at home when the damage happens or if they're in another state or country. The policy covers their items up to the limit.

Medical Payments Coverage

Renters insurance in Nevada also covers medical payments for guests who are injured in the tenant's place. Likewise, it offers coverage if the tenant hurts others outside the rental property. However, renters insurance won't cover medical payments for policyholders (those residing in the space). It's only available to guests and non-residents.

Personal Liability Coverage

Liability coverage is great because it protects the tenant if someone gets hurt in their apartment or if any policyholder damages other people's things. Overall, it covers the property damage and legal fees.

Loss of Use Coverage

Sometimes, a disaster will happen, and the tenant can't live on the property while you make repairs. When that happens, loss-of-use coverage is there to offer reimbursements for additional living expenses and temporary housing. This can cover things like hotel parking, food, and laundry.

What Does Renters Insurance in Nevada NOT Cover?

Most renters insurance providers will offer similar coverage options for the categories listed above. However, renters insurance in Nevada won't help in every situation.

Here are the things renters insurance might not cover:

  • Unscheduled Valuables Coverage - Expensive items might not be covered, and this includes things like electronics, jewelry, and collectibles. Tenants will need to buy separate scheduled personal property coverage, which costs extra.
  • Non-covered Losses - Renters insurance probably won't cover floods and earthquakes automatically. Tenants must buy endorsements to protect themselves in those situations. If they don't, and they encounter a flood or earthquake that damages their property, none of it gets replaced.
  • Over Limits - Most renters insurance policies will have coverage limits. This is the amount the insurance provider will pay after a covered loss and after the tenant has paid the deductible. Tenants would have to spend money out of their own pockets to cover the rest.

How to Purchase Renters Insurance Policies in Nevada

Renters insurance in Nevada is easy to get, and there are tons of excellent companies out there. However, tenants might need help, and you can offer them these tips:

  • Price - Tenants are focused on affordable rates above all else, so cost is a huge concern. However, it shouldn't be the only factor used when deciding on a brand.
  • Coverage Options - Most companies offer similar basic policies. However, some Nevada renters will need additional coverage options to protect themselves. Therefore, they should look at coverage limits, deductibles, and add-ons to cover their personal property.
  • Technology - Many Nevada renters are younger, so they often prefer brands that have mobile services. They should prioritize companies with customer portals, mobile tools, and helpful online resources.
  • Customer Service - Tenants will usually be upset and angry when filing an insurance claim. Therefore, it's wise to ensure the company has excellent customer service so that policyholders can make claims and get answers quickly.

Available Discounts in Nevada

Tenants want to get the most affordable renters insurance rates possible, and most companies understand this.

Ultimately, each renters insurance company has its own list of discounts. It would be difficult to include them all here, but we have listed the most common discount options:

  • Multipolicy discount
  • Claims-free history discount
  • Protective devices discount (including fire alarms, smoke alarms, burglary alarms, and more)
  • Welcome discount
  • Loyalty discount
  • Paperless billing and autopay discounts
  • Generational discounts
  • Early shopper discount
  • Online purchase discount
  • Diminishing deductible discount
  • Annual payment discount (instead of paying monthly payments, tenants would pay everything at once)

How Does a Renters Insurance Policy Protect the Landlord or Property Manager?

You should always require tenants to get renters insurance in Nevada, but why? Here are the ways that their policy could benefit you:

  • Less Lawsuit Risk - Usually, you have liability coverage through landlord insurance. However, it might not cover your tenants if they were negligent and caused property damage or injury to another.
  • Fewer Property Damage Disputes - If tenants aren't at fault for their personal property damage, they might sue you for repairs or replacements. Your landlord insurance might not cover this, but renters insurance likely will.
  • Relocation Costs - If a disaster causes significant damage, the tenant may be unable to live in the apartment, condo, or house. They could sue you for temporary relocation expenses if they don't have renters insurance to cover it.
  • Be Pet Friendly - Many tenants own pets, and landlords rarely want to rent to them. However, renters insurance mitigates the risks of pets because it offers liability for dog bites and property damage coverage.

Top 5 Best Renters Insurance Companies in Nevada

Tenants will likely look for the cheapest renters insurance companies to save money. You can help them find appropriate brands to work with by reading about the top choices. Likewise, you will know if a tenant has chosen well if they use any of these providers:

1. Lemonade Renters Insurance

Lemonade Renters Insurance

Tenants who want the best cheap renters insurance companies will likely enjoy Lemonade. It has a great mixture of customer service and affordability. In fact, it has excellent rates, which is about $14 per month. This is $6 less than the state average.

Nevada renters would also like the customer service options available if they chose Lemonade. It makes it easy to shop and file claims online. Plus, the chatbot will help tenants get quotes fast, and the claims are often paid instantly.

However, some claims might take longer to process. It's better to be prepared for that possibility.

2. Travelers Renters Insurance

Travelers Renters Insurance

If tenants want the cheapest renters insurance company possible, Travelers is a great choice. Policies can cost as little as $13 per month, which is $158 per year. That's roughly $77 less expensive than the state average.

Some tenants like that basic renters insurance policies from Travelers offer coverage for improvements they make to the apartment or rental property. Most other companies don't include this.

However, Travelers doesn't have the best customer service. It's actually earned low scores in surveys, which means many renters just aren't happy with the brand.

Likewise, tenants must pay for renters insurance annually, so they can't make monthly payments.

3. Amica Renters Insurance

Amica Renters Insurance

Amica could be the best choice for tenants who are focused on great customer service. However, it isn't the cheapest renters insurance provider on the list.

Still, renters seem to be happy with their experiences. Amica has received about one-third of the complaints as similar-sized insurers, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Overall, tenants will likely pay $19 per month, which is $227 per year. Still, it's less than the state average, so it might not be that bad!

4. Liberty Mutual Renters Insurance

Liberty Mutual Renters Insurance

Liberty Mutual isn't the cheapest renters insurance provider on the list, but it has over a century of experience in the insurance industry. In fact, it's a national company and offers renters insurance.

Overall, Liberty Mutual has slightly higher rates than other brands, but it offers many discounts. Plus, the coverage options are excellent, and tenants can customize their policies to meet their needs.

5. State Farm Renters Insurance

State Farm Renters Insurance

State Farm is one of the cheap renters insurance providers available. A policy could cost as low as $13 to $22 per month. Plus, the discounts will help tenants save money. Likewise, it offers many endorsements for additional coverage.

What Is DoorLoop?

Knowing what renters insurance is can be very helpful as a landlord, but you're also focused on maintaining your rental portfolio. An easy way to do that is through property management software, and DoorLoop has you covered.

DoorLoop's property management software works for all landlords. Whether they have mixed-use, commercial, or residential properties, it will help them:

  • Offer an online tenant portal.
  • Collect rent on autopilot.
  • Manage their rental portfolios.
  • Manage their maintenance requests online, which reduces calls and texts from tenants.
  • Manage their accounting.
  • Create a free website that can be customized. Tenants may apply online, and landlords can market vacancies through Trulia and Zillow.

You can learn more about DoorLoop today and schedule a demo to see how it works. Try it now!

Why Work with DoorLoop

Whether you have a condominium in Las Vegas or an apartment building in another city, you can require tenants to have a Nevada renters insurance policy. DoorLoop can help! Renters can submit companies themselves, but it's also very easy for them to apply directly through the tenant portal or on the application. It's powered by Lemonade in this state. Learn more about Door Loop renters insurance today!

David is the co-founder & CMO of DoorLoop, a best-selling author, legal CLE speaker, and real estate investor. When he's not hanging with his three children, he's writing articles here!

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