Best, cheapest renters in Florida

Would you rather research all the renters insurance companies in Florida or snorkel along your state’s 8,000 miles of (gorgeous) coastline? We’d bet on the latter. Fortunately, while you’ve been busy hanging with turtles, we’ve been busy comparing affordable rates, quality customer service, and good policy features so that you know where to look for the best, cheapest renters insurance in Florida.

Popular renters insurance companies in Florida compared

Roost’s approach to choosing Florida’s best and cheapest renters insurance 

We used the online quoting systems of popular renters insurance companies and compared quotes for their renters insurance premiums. We got quotes for $10,000 and $30,000 worth of personal property coverage with $500 deductibles and $100,000 liability coverage. 

We got quotes for renters living in urban area apartments, who are in their mid-twenties, with no roommates or spouses, no pets, and no special coverages like flood insurance. 

To ensure oranges to oranges comparisons, we reviewed policies across similar coverage levels, online quoting experience, app experience, and customer service ratings in Florida.

What we compared among renters insurance companies in Florida

Affordability 

We looked at costs from company to company using a minimum personal property coverage of $10,000, a $500 deductible, and $100,000 liability coverage, and then increased the personal property coverage amount to $30,000, a $500 deductible, and $100,000 liability coverage.

Quality of coverage

Next, we rated the quality of the coverage options relative to the price of the renters insurance policy that was offered by each renters insurance company in Florida. 

Customer service

It’s important that your insurance company is there for you when you need them. Are they easy to contact? Do they offer 24/7 chat? Do they have local offices available? What is their claim response time? Trustpilot gave us a sense of overall service trends, along with the level of detail and accessibility available through FAQs and customer service channels.

If you have two or three companies on your shortlist, call each one and reach out to them using the chat service—your experiences will likely clearly reveal which company you’ll want to work with.

Online quoting experience

We rated the online quoting experience by overall ease of use and customizable options. We like websites that offer easy customizable options because it allows you to experiment with different coverage levels to see how it would affect the premium quotes. The only renters insurance company to ask for a social security number was Progressive. 

App store rating

We looked up the app store ratings for Android and Apple products to give you an idea of what other renters think of each renters insurance company’s app, their coverage, and customer service.

How much renters insurance do I need in Florida? 

Florida college students are usually okay with personal property coverage of around $15,000. You may still be covered under your parent’s insurance so make sure to check with them. (No need to pay double for renters insurance.) 

The best way to know how much renters insurance you’ll need is to add up the retail price of all your stuff and tack on another 25% to account for stuff you’ve probably forgotten.  If your total is less than $5000, you might decide you don’t need renters insurance. Or maybe a liability-only policy will be enough to protect you from a lawsuit or property damage repairs. 

If you want renters insurance but are on a low budget, read our article, Cheap renters insurance.

Which areas of Florida are the least expensive for renters insurance? 

Northern Florida cities such as Tallahassee had the cheapest renters insurance in Florida while southern coastal towns and islands such as Big Coppitt Key were the most expensive areas.

Here are some average renters insurance rates in Florida.

How can I save on renters insurance in Florida? 

We’ve got a few ideas. Here’s how to save on your renters insurance premiums:

• Bundle your auto insurance with your renters insurance 
• Don’t buy more coverage than you need
• Maintain a good credit score
• Pay your renters insurance annually

Read here for more ways to save on your renters insurance premiums in Florida.

What is renters insurance?

Renters insurance is made up of three parts—personal property insurance, renters liability insurance, and additional living expenses insurance. Renters insurance can reimburse you if your stuff is stolen or destroyed and protect you from lawsuits as well. We know companies like Allstate that have renters insurance policies starting at just $4 a month, coolio! 

Personal property insurance

Personal property insurance pays to replace your things and things you borrowed if they are destroyed or stolen. This might be anything from your electronics to swimsuits and most things in between.

• Kitchen table $500
• Leather couch $700
• TV stand/storage $520
• Bed frame $299
• Dress shoes, tennis shoes, flip flops. $250+
• Box spring & mattress $999
• Nightstand x 2 $199
• Jeans/Dress Pants $45 a pair x 5 $225 total
• Shirts $23, x 5 $115
• Laptop $750
• Microwave, espresso machine, cookware, dishes, etc. $625
• Miscellaneous $250

When you add a TV or two, your phone, surfboard, and more you’re easily pushing upwards of $10,000 already. Most estimates put the average two-bedroom apartment as containing up to $30,000 worth of stuff. 

And did you know that when your car is parked all day at the beach while you’re busy in the waves, any valuables you may have left in the backseat will be covered if they’re stolen? Holy awesomeness, Batman!

Renters liability insurance

Renters liability insurance helps out if you are sued while living at your apartment. This kind of protection can come in handy when you least expect it. Liability insurance covers you in situations like:

• Damage to your neighbor’s apartment that you caused.
• Apartment damage that you caused.
• Guest injuries in your apartment.
• If your dog bites someone on the apartment property.

Accidental living expenses insurance

If you can’t live at home because of something like a fire, accidental living expenses coverage would pay for your hotel room, restaurants, and other related expenses.

Renters insurance FAQs for Florida

1. Is renters insurance expensive in Florida?

Yes, renters insurance in Florida is more expensive than the national average. Florida has the 14 highest average renters insurance premiums in the country. Annual renters insurance premiums for a two-bedroom apartment in Florida range from approximately $160 a year to over $275 a year depending on where you live.

2. What is the average cost of renters insurance in Florida? 

The average cost is $245 a year (about $20.41 a month). Shop and compare renter insurance premiums. You will find some policies that start at just $4 a month with companies like Allstate.

3. My landlord offers renters insurance. Should I take it? 

Most landlord-offered renters insurance policies in Florida only cover damage to their property, meaning none of your stuff is covered. Read our article on What does a landlord-tenant liability policy cover to figure out whether or not this is a good option for you.

4. Does my roommate need renters insurance in Florida? 

If your landlord requires every adult living at your apartment to have renters insurance, then yes, they do. If your roommate is your spouse or a relative, they may be covered under your renters insurance in Florida. 

5. Is renters insurance worth it in Florida? 

Only you can decide whether or not renters insurance in Florida state is worth it. When you consider the amount of money you might save yourself if you are sued or your dog bites someone, you may decide it’s a great idea to have.

6. Can my landlord require me to have renters insurance in Florida?

Yes, your landlord can require you to have renters insurance in Florida. It is within your landlord’s rights to include a renters insurance requirement in your lease if you live in Florida.