Grand Rapids is one of the premier beer cities in the country, as it’s esteemed breweries have propelled it toward the top of several top beer city rankings. Grand Rapids is a popular landing spot for young and adventurous craft beer enthusiasts, and also a popular city for renters, as 47% of occupied housing is rented rather than owned.^ If you’re a renter, you should consider purchasing renters insurance.
Renters insurance ensures that your personal belongings are protected. There are countless reasons you should consider renters insurance if you live in Grand Rapids, from rate affordability to the high risk of weather-related damage to break-ins. Read on to learn more about why renters insurance makes sense for Grand Rapids residents.
Best renters insurance in Grand Rapids
Insurance Company | Monthly Cost - $500 Deductible | Monthly Cost - $1,000 Deductible |
|---|---|---|
State Farm | $12.33 | $11.50 |
Allstate | $28.00 | $25.00 |
Travelers‡ | N/A | N/A |
Stillwater† | N/A | N/A |
Lemonade† | N/A | N/A |
†Not available in Grand Rapids
‡Online quotes not available 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 female apartment renter. We deferred to the most comparable coverage amounts when identical policies were unavailable.
Understanding renters insurance quotes
Renters insurance is about far more than simply protecting your personal property. If someone is accidently injured in your home and requires legal or medical expenses on your behalf, that financial burden is lifted off your shoulders with renters insurance.
If you’re forced to move out of your apartment because of hazards like fire or water damage, your renters insurance’s loss-of-use coverage provides you and your family with additional expenses to cope with this misfortune. Meaning, if you normally spend $400 per month on groceries for your family, renters insurance may cut you a check for $500 instead, since you’ll be forced to eat out instead of cook. Loss-of-use coverage, also called additional living expenses coverage, may also supply funds for hotel expenses and additional car mileage if the need arises.
Here’s a rundown of the components you should look for in a policy when comparing renters insurance quotes.
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 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 Grand Rapids?
Renters insurance is not a legal requirement in Grand Rapids or the state of Michigan, but landlords and management companies may put a clause in the lease requiring tenants purchase a policy.
In fact, considering Grand Rapids’ penchant for copious amounts of snow (thanks, Lake Michigan), it may be best for Grand Rapids residents if landlords included such a provision in the lease.
Reasons to buy renters insurance in Grand Rapids
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.
While property crime as a whole is on par with the national average, arson levels are about double the national average, according the to FBI Crime Data Explorer.† But even in predominantly safe Grand Rapids, renters insurance is a necessary safeguard to have, given the high theft and break-in potential of urban areas.
-- | Grand Rapids incidents | Grand Rapids rate* | Nationwide incidents | Nationwide rate* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Larceny | 3,208 | 1,633.03 | 5,638,455 | 1744.96 |
Burglary | 822 | 418.44 | 1,515,096 | 468.88 |
Arson | 60 | 30.54 | 43,119 | 13.34 |
-- | *per 100,000 people |
Did you know that renters insurance covers weight of snow damage? Yes, renters insurance will cover your personal belongings if that metric ton of snow on your roof causes it to fall through, or if the cold temperatures cause your pipes to freeze and burst.
This is a big deal for GR residents, who receive an average of almost 76 inches of snow per year, thanks to the perpetual blizzard caused by the region’s lake-effect snow.‡
Helpful resources
Grand Rapids residents looking for more information on renters rights and resources should check out the following:
GR Housing Commission: Housing nonprofit that partners with affiliate community organizations to provide safe, affordable housing and emergency services.
Dwelling Place GR: Organization geared toward creating affordable housing, supporter services, and neighborhood revitalization.
Legal Aid of Western Michigan: Provides free legal advice and representation for low-income residents.
GR Urban League: Provides consultation and advice to families who are facing eviction or are in need of financial assistance.
† FBI CDE
