Over 32 percent of Colorado residents—roughly 500,000 people—rent their homes, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. If you’re one of those people, consider purchasing renters insurance to protect your personal belongings from fire, theft or extreme weather events.
When talking about insurance, the first thing that comes to mind is cost. Some policies, like home and auto, can cost thousands of dollars per year. But in Colorado, the average cost of renters insurance is $159 per year, which is lower than the U.S. national average of $180. For about $13 per month, you can have peace of mind knowing that your prized possessions are covered.
There are a few things to consider before you purchase renters insurance. First, make sure you know the total estimated value of your personal belongings, so you can gauge how much coverage you need. Also, think about how much you can afford to pay out-of-pocket if you needed to replace your items without aid from the insurance company. That will determine your deductible.
Best renters insurance companies in Colorado
Purchasing insurance often sounds simpler than it is. Shopping for renters insurance can be challenging because there are dozens of providers on the market. So how can you determine which provider will give you the best value for your budget?
To simplify your shopping experience, we put together a list of the cheapest and best Colorado renters insurance companies. These providers were rated highly in J.D. Power’s 2019 Renters Insurance Study, which uses real customer reviews to rate insurers on overall satisfaction, price, policy offerings and customer service. Check out the full list of ratings in the table below.
- American Family: In J.D. Power’s study, American Family earned high marks in each category, making it our top pick for Colorado renters insurance.
- State Farm: State Farm ranked just below American Family in J.D. Power’s study and is lauded by customers for offering affordable premiums.
- AAA: With AAA, Colorado residents can choose from a wide range of coverage options while keeping their annual costs low.
- Allstate: Allstate is a great insurance provider for renters that are looking to save big on their premiums, but care less about extensive coverage options or customer service.
| Overall satisfaction | Policy offerings | Price | Customer service | Billing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Family | 5 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 |
| State Farm | 5 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 |
| AAA | 3 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 | 3 out of 5 | 3 out of 5 |
| Allstate | 2 out of 5 | 3 out of 5 | 2 out of 5 | 2 out of 5 | 2 out of 5 |
The amount you’ll pay for your renters insurance premium is determined by a few criteria, including the location of your home, the type of building, the value of your belongings, your claims history and your credit score, among others. Here is a look at the best insurers for specific needs.
Cheapest Colorado renters insurance for extensive coverage options: State Farm
State Farm’s basic renters insurance policy is pretty comprehensive, but the company also offers a personal articles policy that includes coverage for things like prosthetics, medical devices, furs, fine art and collectibles.
Cheapest Colorado renters insurance for bundling policies: Allstate
Allstate offers a variety of insurance products, including home, auto, life, business and identity. If you add renters insurance to the bundle, you can save money on your annual premium.
Cheapest Colorado renters insurance for claims-free renters: Allstate
If you’ve filed an insurance claim in the past, you know your annual rate increases as a result. However, if you’re claims-free when you purchase renters insurance through Allstate, you’ll get a discount of up to 20 percent and get rewarded for each year you remain claims-free.
We also looked at how these four providers were ranked by similar market research firms. In the table below, you can see how American Family, State Farm, AAA and Allstate are rated by AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
| J.D Power | AM Best | BBB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Family | 5 out of 5 | A | A |
| State Farm | 5 out of 5 | A++ | A+ |
| AAA | 3 out of 5 | A | A+ |
| Allstate | 2 out of 5 | A+ | A+ |
Frequently asked questions
How much renters insurance do I need in Colorado?
Renters insurance is not a requirement for Colorado residents. But it’s still a good idea to purchase some coverage. Without it, you’ll have to pay completely out-of-pocket to replace your personal items if they get damaged.
What does renters insurance cover?
Most basic renters insurance policies cover your belongings such as clothing and electronics up to a certain amount, as well as liability coverage that pays to repair someone else’s home if you cause damage. Some policies also come with additional living expenses coverage, which pays for hotel fees and restaurant meals if you were to get displaced from your home.
What is the best renters insurance company in Colorado?
There isn’t one insurance company that is the best option for every Colorado resident. Every insurance company has different strengths, like providing excellent customer service versus offering the most discounts, so it depends on what you’re looking for. Additionally, each provider will offer you a slightly different rate based on your unique circumstances, like your home’s location and your credit score. That’s why it’s important to shop around for multiple quotes before choosing a provider.
How can I save money on renters insurance?
There are a variety of ways to save money on your renters insurance policy. As you’re shopping around, visit the discounts page of each provider. Most companies offer savings if you bundle your policies, pay your premium in full, enroll in paperless billing, raise your deductible, install certain safety features in your home and raise your credit score.
The post The Cheapest Colorado Renters Insurance Companies 2020 appeared first on The Simple Dollar.
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