Teagan, who has Corpus Christi renters insurance, is moving from an apartment on Brett St. to an apartment on South Padre Island Drive. She writes,
I’m moving to a new apartment in the same general area, but it will take me about a week to get everything fully moved because classes just started and I’m pretty busy. Does renters insurance cover both apartments while I move?
Does Renters Insurance Cover Both Apartments While I Move?
Many of our insureds wonder if renters insurance will cover both apartments while they’re in the process of moving. It’s a common question and it really depends on your personal situation. Why?
Great question, Teagan. This is one we get asked frequently, so let’s take a few minutes to dissect the answer.
Does Renters Insurance Cover Both Apartments While I Move?
This is a common concern. The first thing to take into consideration is if you had renters insurance at the old property. If the answer is no, your policy at the new apartment may or may not extend to the former residence. But, if you have a policy and are just changing the address on it, here’s the relevant provision:
Limit For Property At Other Residences.
Our limit of liability for personal property usually located at an “insured’s” residence, other than the “residence premises”, is 10% of the limit of liability for Coverage C, or $1,000, whichever is greater. However, this limitation does not apply to personal property:
[…] b. In a newly acquired principal residence for 30 days from the time you begin to move the property there.
Basically, if you have renters insurance at one apartment and move to another, your personal property is covered at both locations for a period of up to 30 days while you are moving the property between locations.
Does Renters Insurance Cover Liability At Both Apartments While I Move?
Liability follows the insured person, not the residence. As a result, liability will cover you while you’re in the process of moving, or anywhere else. As we detailed above, the coverage to be concerned about when moving is personal property.
Does renters insurance cover both apartments while I move? Yes, for liability and for personal property.