If you're renting a home or apartment in Mississippi, you probably want to make sure your personal belongings are protected at all times. Renters insurance is a great way to protect yourself from unexpected events, but will your renters insurance cover property crimes like an intrusion?

Fortunately, a Mississippi independent insurance agent knows the answer to this question and any others you may have about renters insurance. They can help you research and secure the right renters plan and protection.

How Does Mississippi Renters Insurance Coverage Work?

Renters insurance is typically optional, but it provides coverage for your personal property and against liability claims. You can customize your renters policy to fit your needs. 

Basic renters insurance coverage options include:

• Personal property: This covers your personal belongings, including furniture, electronics, clothes, and similar items. Personal contents typically starts at $20,000 in coverage but can be increased.
• Personal liability: This covers associated costs for liability claims related to third-party injury or property damage. Personal liability typically starts at $100,000 in coverage.
• Loss of use: This helps pay for a temporary living arrangement if you're displaced from your rental property due to a covered claim

Add-on policies to discuss with your Mississippi independent insurance agent include:

• Medical payments: This helps pay for injuries that happen in your home to anyone who does not live there
• Water damage: This pays if your personal items are damaged by water from a burst pipe, overflowing sink, or similar event
• Valuable articles: This pays for unique and valuable items such as artwork, jewelry, or firearms. There may be different limits on these individual items

While standard policies in the state cover the same things, you should always thoroughly review your policy with a professional independent insurance agent.

How Does Renters Insurance Cover Burglary, Vandalism or Arson?

The personal property coverage in your standard renters policy will cover burglary, vandalism, or arson. You'd receive coverage for the following scenarios:

• Coverage for stolen belongings
• Coverage to repair break-in damage
• Coverage for valuable items
• Coverage for break-ins to other structures, like your garage.

Remember, renters insurance will not cover motor vehicles. Your Mississippi auto insurance will need to have comprehensive coverage to cover a car damaged during a break-in.

What If Someone Gets Injured While Committing a Crime on My Property?

Personal injuries can happen at any time, even while someone is trying to commit a property crime on your property. If an intruder attempted to burglarize your home and was injured, they could sue you for their injuries.

Fortunately, the liability policy in your renters policy would protect you in this situation. It would pay for any legal fees and other associated costs in addition to any medical expenses if you're held responsible for the bill. 

How Does Extra Coverage for Valuables Work?

Insurance companies consider some personal items more valuable than others. These items typically include things like artwork, jewelry, firearms, sporting equipment, musical instruments, and more.

Every company looks at coverage for valuables differently. There are likely to be limits on individual items based on their value. The best way to determine if you need insurance for your valuables is to work with an agent to determine what your policy includes and seek out additions or endorsements if you need more coverage.

Is My Landlord Responsible for Covering Any Damage, Like Arson?

Landlords are required to have their own coverage to protect their home or apartment building from damage due to fire, break-ins, injuries, severe weather, and other events. 

In the event of arson, your landlord would be responsible for damage to the structure of the property and things like built-in appliances. Still, your personal property would not be their responsibility. That's why it's worth considering purchasing renters insurance, even if your landlord does not require it. 

How Common Are Home Property Crimes in Mississippi?

Unfortunately, home property crimes are frequent across the nation, including in Mississippi. 

Mississippi property crime stats in recent years

In recent years property crime rates have decreased across the nation. However, there are still estimated to be more than 6 million property crimes committed annually in the US.

How Can a Mississippi Independent Insurance Agent Help?

Seeing as nearly 30,000 property crimes occur in Mississippi every year, it's worth considering insurance coverage even if you're renting. Since renters insurance is not typically required by law and is highly customizable, working with a Mississippi independent insurance agent can help you determine what is right for you.

Agents speak with you, free of charge, and shop multiple insurance quotes to find you a Mississippi renters insurance policy that fits your needs and budget. Work with an agent in your area today.