Columbus is probably best known as the capital of Ohio and the home of Ohio State University, but government and academia are but a small part of what makes Columbus great. It’s one of the fashion hubs of the U.S., a DIY-retail oasis, a craft beer drinkers refuge, and an arts and culture destination.
It’s also home to a lot of renters — 55% of occupied housing units in Columbus are leased rather than owned, and if you’re in that group, you should consider purchasing renters insurance.
Renters insurance ensures that your personal belongings are protected, but it also protects your bank account if someone is injured in your home and sues or requires medical expenses. There are countless reasons you should consider renters insurance if you live in Columbus, from rate affordability to weather damage to break-ins. Read on to learn more about why renters insurance makes sense for Columbus residents.
Best renters insurance in Columbus
Insurance Company | Monthly Cost - $500 Deductible | Monthly Cost - $1,000 Deductible |
|---|---|---|
State Farm | N/A† | $13.08 |
Allstate | $21.00 | $20.00 |
Travelers | $23.00 | $21.00 |
Stillwater | $16.75 | $12.92 |
Lemonade† | $10.92 | $9.59 |
† No $500 deductible option in Columbus Methodology: We pulled renters insurance quotes online from five of the most popular insurance companies: State Farm, Lemonade, Allstate, Travelers and Stillwater. Quotes were for policies with $500 and $1,000 deductibles for a 30-year-old male apartment renter. We deferred to the most comparable coverage amounts when identical policies were unavailable.
Coverage type | State Farm | Allstate | Travelers | Stillwater | Lemonade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Property Coverage | $20,000.00 | $20,000 | $30,000 | $20,000 | $20,000 |
Liability Coverage | $100,000.00 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 |
Medical payments to others | $1,000.00 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $1,000 |
Understanding renters insurance quotes
Renters insurance is about far more than just protecting your personal property. Here’s a rundown of the components you should look for in a policy when comparing renters insurance rates.
Property coverage: reimbursement for lost, stolen, or damaged property.
Liability coverage: covers legal expenses in the event someone is injured in your residence and they sue you.
Loss of use: covers temporary living expenses if your residence becomes uninhabitable.
Medical payments to others: covers medical costs in the event that someone is injured in your residence and requires medical treatment.
We’ve got a full explainer of what renters insurance covers here.
Is renters insurance legally required in Columbus?
While renters insurance is not legally required in Columbus or the state of Ohio, some landlords or management companies may require renters insurance as a condition for signing the lease. When applying for a residence, always be sure to double-check with the broker or landlord about renters insurance before signing.
It's also worth remembering that although renters insurance may not be legally required, it may save you a legal headache at the end of the day. Having liability coverage alone is reason enough for you to think about investing in renters insurance.
Reasons to buy renters insurance in Columbus
Renters insurance is among some of the most affordable insurance types to buy, and considering your most cherished personal belongings are typically stored in your residence or storage units, it should be a no-brainer in any city.
In 2016, Columbus experienced 23,939 instances of theft, 7,778 instances of burglary, and 405 instances of arson, and the per-capita crime rate was higher than the national average.^ If you live in Columbus, you may want to consider renters insurance as a safeguard.
Crime States in Columbus
-- | Columbus incidents | Columbus rates* | Nationwide incidents | Nationwide rate* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Larceny | 23,939 | 2,775.5 | 5,638,455 | 1,745.0 |
Burglary | 7,778 | 901.8 | 1,515,096 | 468.9 |
Arson | 405 | 46.9 | 43,119 | 13.3 |
-- | *per 100,000 people |
Did you know that renters insurance also protects your belongings if they’re damaged by certain weather hazards? Luckily for Columbus residents, renters insurance covers wind and weight of snow damage during those harsh winters.‡
Renters insurance covers a good chunk of weather-related perils, but doesn’t cover flooding or earthquakes; those perils require their own separate insurance.
Helpful resources
Columbus residents looking for more information on renters rights and resources should check out the following:
Legal Aid Society of Columbus: Legal guide for Columbus tenants that serves as a how-to for everything from moving into your residence to taking legal action against your landlord or management company.
Central Ohio Fair Housing Association: Volunteer-staffed organization that aims to ensure that anti-housing discrimination laws are being followed.
City of Columbus Fair Housing Association: City housing division that provides assistance to residents on issues such as unsafe buildings, unsanitary conditions, carbon monoxide inspections, landscaping neglect, owner refusal to make repairs and animal maintenance.
Columbus Area and Rental Guide: housing and neighborhood guide put together by Ohio State University for students, but it’s equally valuable for grown ups.
† FBI CDE
