If you rent an apartment, townhouse, or house in Scranton or the surrounding NEPA area, there’s a good chance you don’t have renters insurance. You’re not alone-nationally, only about 55% of renters carry a policy, compared to over 90% of homeowners.
The most common reason? People assume their landlord’s insurance covers them. It doesn’t. Your landlord’s policy protects the building. Everything inside your apartment-your furniture, electronics, clothing, and personal belongings-is your responsibility.
The good news: renters insurance is one of the most affordable types of coverage available, and it protects a lot more than most people realize.
What Does Renters Insurance Cover?
A standard renters insurance policy includes three main types of protection:
Personal Property Coverage
This is the core of the policy. It covers your belongings-furniture, electronics, clothing, appliances, kitchenware, sports equipment, and more-if they’re damaged or destroyed by a covered event like fire, theft, vandalism, or certain types of water damage.
If someone breaks into your Scranton apartment and steals your laptop, TV, and jewelry, renters insurance pays to replace them (up to your policy limit). If a kitchen fire destroys your living room furniture, it’s covered.
Liability Coverage
If someone is injured in your apartment and you’re found liable, your renters policy covers their medical bills and any legal costs. For example, if a guest trips over a rug and breaks their arm, liability coverage responds.
It also covers accidental damage you cause to others’ property. If you accidentally leave a faucet running and cause water damage to the unit below you, your liability coverage can pay for those repairs.
Additional Living Expenses (ALE)
If your rental becomes uninhabitable due to a covered event-a fire, severe water damage, or structural issue-ALE coverage pays for temporary housing, meals, and related expenses while your home is being repaired. In a tight rental market like Scranton, this coverage can be a lifeline.
What Renters Insurance Does NOT Cover
Like any insurance, there are exclusions. A standard renters policy typically does not cover:
Flood damage. Just like homeowners insurance, flooding from external sources (storms, snowmelt, rising water) requires a separate flood policy.
Earthquake damage. Requires separate coverage, though this is less of a concern in NEPA.
Your roommate’s belongings. Unless they’re named on your policy, their stuff isn’t covered. Each renter should have their own policy.
High-value items above standard limits. Jewelry, art, and collectibles often have sub-limits (e.g., $1,500 for jewelry). You may need a scheduled endorsement for full coverage.
How Much Does Renters Insurance Cost in Scranton?
This is where the value becomes clear. Renters insurance in the Scranton and NEPA area typically costs between $15 and $30 per month, depending on your coverage limits, deductible, location, and any endorsements.
For context: that’s roughly the cost of a streaming subscription-for protection that covers thousands of dollars in personal property, provides liability coverage, and includes temporary housing if you’re displaced.
Many renters are surprised by how much coverage they get for how little it costs. A typical policy might include $30,000 in personal property coverage, $100,000 in liability, and $10,000 in additional living expenses-all for under $25/month.
Do You Need Renters Insurance If Your Landlord Doesn’t Require It?
Yes. Even if your lease doesn’t mandate it (though more and more landlords in Scranton are starting to require it), renters insurance is worth carrying for your own protection.
Consider this: if a fire damages your apartment, your landlord’s insurance will pay to repair the building. But it won’t replace your couch, your wardrobe, your computer, or your kitchen essentials. Without renters insurance, you’re covering all of that out of pocket.
Special Note for College Students in NEPA
If you’re a student at the University of Scranton, Marywood University, Wilkes University, or King’s College and living off campus, renters insurance is especially worth looking into. Your parents’ homeowners policy may extend some coverage to your belongings at school, but that extension has limits and conditions. A standalone renters policy gives you clear, dedicated coverage at a very low cost.
Protect Your Space-For Less Than You Think
Renters insurance is one of the most overlooked and most affordable forms of personal protection available. For the cost of a few coffees a month, you get meaningful coverage for your belongings, liability protection, and a safety net if something forces you out of your home.
At Gilmartin Insurance Agency, we help renters across Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Dunmore, and the entire NEPA area find affordable renters insurance that fits their needs. Whether you’re in a downtown apartment, a college rental, or a suburban townhouse, we’ll help you get covered quickly and affordably.
Have questions or want to review your current policy? Contact us for a free, no-pressure conversation. We’ll help you understand exactly what you have, what you might be missing, and where you could save.
☎ Call us or request a free quote online today.
