Goodcover’s Complete Guide to Georgia Renters Insurance

Welcome to Georgia, a state known for its beautiful red clay hills, delectable peaches, and the bustling city of Atlanta. It’s no surprise that the state has seen its population increase by 13.8% from 2010 to 2023. That’s higher than the average, and that growth doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, roughly 35% of homes in Georgia are rentals. If you’re among the state’s many renters, then you’re probably in the market for renters insurance in Georgia.

This type of insurance policy can help protect you in the event of a fire or break-in. 

This guide will cover everything you need to know, including how much a policy costs and what it covers.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Is Renters Insurance Required in Georgia?
• How Much Is Renters Insurance in Georgia?
• Why You Need Renters Insurance in Georgia
• Top Resources for Georgia Renters

Is Renters Insurance Required in Georgia?

Georgia doesn’t require tenants to carry a renters insurance policy. But your landlord or the property management company you’re renting from can legally require you to have renters insurance coverage, primarily focused on liability coverage. This is crucial to understand: Your landlord’s concern is maintaining their property from liability issues, not necessarily ensuring your personal belongings are covered.

Consider this example: one Gwinnett County resident found herself living out of her suitcase after a pipe burst in her apartment, causing a lot of property damage. While she thought she was covered by the policy provided through her landlord, it turns out the renters insurance waiver she signed didn’t cover her personal property. This meant she had to pay out of pocket to replace her personal belongings.

To avoid all of this, get a transparent renters insurance quote with Goodcover. You’ll learn what you’ll pay and what the plan actually covers faster than you can listen to your favorite song.

How Much Is Renters Insurance in Georgia?

The average cost of renters insurance in Georgia with Goodcover is roughly $14.08 per month for $15,000 worth of personal property coverage. In addition to protecting your own things, this affordable renters insurance policy also covers your personal liability. 

The liability protection part of your plan helps out if you’re found liable (aka, at fault) for things like a guest getting injured at your home. You’ll be able to get up to $300,000 of liability coverage with Goodcover, depending on the plan you choose. 

This type of coverage is what landlords are most concerned about, so finding a policy with good liability protection is the key to selecting a policy your landlord will approve of.

Just remember: These average renters insurance rates will vary a bit, as your coverage may cost more in a large city like Atlanta or Savannah versus a smaller town like Helen or Blue Ridge. 

You’ll pay a little more if you need additional coverage options, like extended coverage, which comes in handy if you have some rare collectibles, musical instruments, jewelry, or cameras.

At the end of the day, the price of your Georgia renters insurance policy will depend on the amount of coverage you need, what you want your deductible to be, and factors like the type of home you’re renting.

Why You Need Renters Insurance in Georgia

Renters insurance gives you peace of mind and financial assistance when disaster strikes. The situations below are good examples of when you’ll be happy you have renters coverage.

Natural Disasters and Calamities

The most common natural disasters in the state of Georgia include thunderstorms, windstorms, and hurricanes. 

While renters insurance companies don’t cover flooding, some of the damages from other common natural disasters may be covered, with exclusions.

For example, while your policy might help with wind damage from a hurricane, it likely won’t cover water damage if the storm floods your basement. For that, you’d need flood insurance.

But if a severe thunderstorm rolls in and damages your roof, your renters insurance may help cover the cost of losses to your personal property caused by the storm. Your landlord’s insurance should cover the roof itself, however.

Accidents and Crime

Another major category of covered losses includes people-caused issues. This can be anything from a guest tripping over your stairs to someone stealing your flat-screen TV. 

Your renters insurance will help you out with medical payments you’re liable for, which is a big relief if a friend takes a tumble during your Falcons watch party.

Your policy may also cover loss due to vandalism, theft, or other crimes on the property. So, if your unit is broken into, there’s no need to worry about the cost of replacing your missing laptop. Just file a claim. 

However, please remember that this protection does not extend to your car (just your covered belongings inside of it), so you’ll need auto insurance for that.

Temporary Housing

It’s great that Georgia renters insurance may help you out in the event of a natural disaster or accident. But what if a fire breaks out in your kitchen or a pipe bursts, and you’re unable to stay in your home for a while? You might need a short-term rental or a few nights at a hotel, and you might not have the funds to cover these additional living expenses.

You’ll generally have a separate section in your policy specifically for loss of use that will cover these extra costs. So, while you wait for the water or smoke damage to be cleaned up, your renters insurance will help you pay for a place to stay. 

Top Resources for Georgia Renters

As you search for the best coverage for you, take a look at some of these resources. You’ll find information about tenants’ rights, where to find affordable rentals, and what to look for in your next rental:

• Georgia Landlord Tenant Handbook
• Georgia Rental Assistance Program
• Georgia Fair Housing Information
• Georgia Rental Property Checklist

Goodcover is all about educating tenants to get the best insurance for them. We believe the best renters insurance in Georgia is easy to understand, fair, and fast. 

We know that finding a great insurance policy can seem like a daunting task when you’re busy moving into a new home, which is why we’ve made our process as simple as possible. You can get a Goodcover insurance quote faster than you can listen to your favorite song (really). Hop over to our homepage to get a Goodcover quote today.

Note: This post is meant for informational purposes; insurance regulation and coverage specifics vary by location and person. Check your policy for exact coverage information.

For additional questions, reach out to us – we’re happy to help.