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Gabi Insurance Review
Gabi is an independent online insurance broker. Think of them as a platform that replaces the human insurance agent of the past. They don’t insure directly but reach out to multiple carriers to find you the best rate. Our Gabi Insurance review is here to help you understand the ins and outs of their product offerings.
Their technology compares your current auto and renter insurance policies across top providers. You do this by uploading a PDF or connecting your account to their platform. The quotes process once you provide them information takes about 2 minutes.
Pros
- Licensed in all 50 states
- Fast online quote
- No fees
- Strong reviews: 4.7 on Facebook, 4.8 on Google.com
- Consistently good at finding better deals (they claim $825 year)
Cons
- Customer chat is rated on the slow side
- Requires car insurance to be bundled with renter insurance into order for you to get a quote — so if you don’t have a car you’re out of luck
- They do not work with all insurance carriers
- Quotes are not binding (meaning actual may vary)
Compare rates with a car insurance calculator
Car insurance calculators like this one from Insurify are a great way to compare car insurance online.
Many factors influence renters’ insurance rates
- Your credit: Yes, in many states your credit score can play a role in how much you’ll pay for insurance policies, including renters’ insurance coverage. While insurance companies cannot deny you coverage based on your credit, they can use it as one factor when calculating your premiums.
- Your coverage limits: How much coverage you choose plays a big role in determining your rates. The more “stuff” your insurer covers, the more you’ll be expected to pay each month.
- Your coverage add-ons: If you have high-dollar items, you may want to purchase additional coverage in the form of a rider. This can better protect you against loss when it comes to things like expensive jewelry.
- Your deductible: Often, you can lower your monthly premiums by raising your deductible (the amount you’ll be asked to cover when filing a claim). Just be sure to set your deductible at a limit you can reasonably cover if it’s ever needed!
- Your location: You’ll find that renters’ insurance rates vary from state-to-state, city-to-city, and even from one ZIP code to the next. Moving a couple of blocks away can impact how much you pay, even if your coverage doesn’t change!
5 Ways to lower your renters’ insurance rates
1. Bundle your coverage
Most insurance companies offer discounts when you bundle policies together, such as auto and renters.
2. Raise your deductible
You’ll often find that lower premiums are offered to customers who are willing to raise their deductibles. Yes, this puts a bigger financial burden on you if and when you ever need to call on your policy, but the savings over time could be well worth the trade-off (especially if you never file a claim). Just be sure that you don’t choose a deductible higher than what you can reasonably cover.
3. Ask about discounts
Many insurance companies offer discounts to certain groups or organizations. If you’re a teacher, public servant, active duty military, belong to a certain credit union, or are a member of select alumni associations, you may be eligible for special pricing. Additionally, you may be able to shave off a few dollars each month by enrolling in auto-pay or paperless statements.
4. Improve your credit
While your credit isn’t the biggest factor in determining your renters insurance rates, it plays a role in most states. By improving your score over time, you may open the door to extra savings.
5. Comparison shop often
Taking the “set it and forget it” approach to an insurance policy might be the easiest, but it isn’t likely to save you the most money in the long run. Instead, be sure to shop around once or twice a year — you might be surprised by what you find.
The average renters’ insurance policy is about $15 per month ($180) per year but there are ways you can save. For additional tips read on, and remember, insurers are competing for your business. If you’re not having luck with your current provider or need a lower rate, bid it out. You’ll likely find another insurer who will.
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