Can You Get Evicted for Not Having Renters Insurance?

Is Renters Insurance Required?

Renters insurance isn't legally required in the U.S., but individual landlords and rental companies can require it as a condition of their lease. They may also further stipulate how much coverage you must have while living on the property.

When tenants have renters insurance, it protects landlords from certain damages their own property insurance won't cover—things like damage to the unit by the tenant or their pet or theft of a tenant's personal items. Renters insurance also covers certain types of liability if someone is hurt on the property.

Learn more: Is Renters Insurance Required?

Can You Get Evicted for Not Having Renters Insurance?

As a general rule, forgoing renters insurance doesn't automatically mean you will be evicted from your rental property. If coverage is required in the lease agreement you signed with your landlord, though, it can be grounds for eviction. In this case, skipping renters insurance coverage would be considered a violation of your lease.

Beyond this, without renters insurance on your side, you will also be financially responsible if your personal belongings are stolen or damaged while stored in your rental unit, or if someone is injured while on the property you're renting. If your rental is damaged by a storm or other event, you also may be on the hook for covering alternative living arrangements while your unit is repaired.

Learn more: What Happens if I Don't Have Renters Insurance?

Why Is Renters Insurance Important?

Even if it's not required by your lease, buying renters insurance can be a good way to protect your belongings and shield yourself from liability when renting a property.

A renters insurance policy covers:

• Your personal belongings: If these are stolen or damaged by a storm, theft, vandalism, certain types of water damage or another covered event, your policy will pay to repair or replace them.
• Liability: Should someone be injured on your rental property, renters insurance will cover the medical bills and legal expenses that may occur if you're sued. It also covers you, your pets and your family members in the event you cause damage to another person's property.
• Additional living expenses: If your property needs repairs and is uninhabitable, a renters insurance policy will cover the costs to stay in a hotel, as well as additional living expenses you may incur, such as food or transportation if you're forced to temporarily live farther from work.

Learn more: What Does Renters Insurance Cover?

How Much Is Renters Insurance?

The cost of renters insurance is variable and depends on many factors, including how much coverage you get, your policy limits, your deductible, the insurance company you choose, your location, your credit history and more.

Generally speaking, renters insurance is much more affordable than homeowners insurance. The average cost of renters insurance as of June 2025 was about $12.75 per month, according to Experian data. That equates to around $153 annually.

Learn more: Ways to Reduce the Cost of Your Renters Insurance

How to Get Renters Insurance

To get renters insurance, you should first check your lease to determine if coverage is required—and if so, how much coverage your landlord stipulates you must have.

From there, you should:

1. Assess your personal coverage needs. Take an inventory of your belongings to calculate how much personal property coverage you need. You should also think about your liability risks (pets, trampolines and pools, for example) and take into account what living expenses would look like if you had to relocate temporarily.
2. Get several quotes. Apply for quotes with several insurance companies and compare each one on fees, coverage options and policy limits. You should also consider any discounts offered that can reduce your policy costs.
3. Purchase your policy. Once you've decided which insurer to go with, you can select your coverage start date and purchase your policy. You should receive a copy of your policy, which you can send to your landlord as proof of coverage.

Learn more: Benefits of Renters Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Renters insurance is a smart investment, even if you wouldn't risk eviction by skipping coverage.

To ensure you get the best price on your policy, work on improving your credit before applying for coverage. Some states allow insurers to check your credit-based insurance score when pricing your renters insurance policy, and a healthy consumer credit score could pay off in lower premiums. You can check your FICO^® Score^Θ and credit report for free from Experian to get started.