What Happens if I Don’t Have Renters Insurance?

Is Renters Insurance Required?

Renters insurance is generally optional, with some caveats. Federal and state laws don't require tenants to carry it. But landlords and leasing companies could require you to buy renters insurance as a condition of a lease agreement. The landlord may also have minimum coverage requirements you'll need to follow.

Even when it's not required, having renters insurance is usually a good idea because your landlord's insurance only covers the building you live in. Renters insurance financially protects your personal belongings, liability costs and temporary living expenses after a covered event. It's also typically inexpensive, at around $12.75 per month on average, according to June 2025 data from Experian.

What Happens if You Don't Have Renters Insurance?

Forgoing renters insurance could leave you financially vulnerable. Here are some of the expenses you'd need to cover after a fire, storm, theft or other incident:

• Temporary living costs: Renters insurance reimburses your living expenses when your home becomes uninhabitable after a covered event. You'll have to pay for costs like hotel stays, meals and pet boarding if you have to move out while your rental is repaired.
• Stolen or damaged belongings: A renters insurance policy would pay to repair or replace your belongings, like furniture and electronics, if they're stolen or damaged by a covered event. Without a policy, you'd need to cover these costs yourself.
• Liability costs: When a guest is injured in your home and sues you, renters insurance helps pay for their medical bills and your own legal costs. With no coverage, you'll pay for these expenses out of pocket.
• Lease violations: Your landlord or leasing company may require you to carry renters insurance as part of your lease agreement. Without a policy, the landlord may be able to evict you.

Can You Get Evicted for Not Having Renters Insurance?

The short answer is yes, it's possible. Landlords may require you to have renters insurance—sometimes with a specific amount of coverage—as a condition of the lease agreement you sign. They may be able to evict you if you're supposed to buy renters insurance and lack the appropriate coverage.

Before issuing an eviction notice, your landlord would first need to check whether their requirements follow local laws, which may specify details like coverage limits and tenant liability responsibilities. Then your landlord would need to give you a notice that explains why you're being evicted and the timeline for leaving the property—usually around 60 days.

How to Get Renters Insurance

Buying renters insurance is a relatively simple process that involves the following steps:

1. Check your requirements. Ask your landlord or check your lease agreement to see if you must buy coverage and whether the policy has to meet specific requirements.
2. Assess your needs. Figure out how much renters insurance you need by estimating the value of your belongings, assessing your liability risks and considering the potential costs of relocating. This information can help you choose coverage limits.
3. Shop around. Gather quotes from several different insurance carriers. Your auto insurance company is a good place to start if it offers discounts for bundling coverage.
4. Buy the insurance. Once you pick an insurance provider, you'll purchase the policy and set a start date. The company will send you a digital copy of your policy, which you may need to share with your landlord.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

You'll face higher out-of-pocket costs after an incident if you don't carry renters insurance. For example, you may need to replace your belongings if they're damaged in a windstorm or stolen from your apartment. You may also need to cover legal and medical bills when someone is injured in your home and you're found responsible. And if renters insurance is a condition of your lease agreement, your landlord may be able to evict you if you lack coverage.

Buying renters insurance is typically a smart decision. It's relatively affordable, at around $153 a year, and it keeps you financially protected.

Having good credit could help improve your chances of getting coverage and saving money. You can check your FICO^® Score^Θ and credit report for free from Experian to get an idea of where you stand and what you can do to improve, if necessary.