What to Know About AARP Renters Insurance
You’re thinking about purchasing renters insurance or changing up your current plan and AARP is one of the providers you’re looking at. What does an AARP renters insurance plan offer in comparison to their competitors? We’ll guide you through AARP’s coverage, pricing, discounts, and how to get quote, file for a claim, and even cancel or renew your renters insurance plan. We make it easy for you to understand how AARP compares to their competitors, and how you can go about getting a plan that works for your budget and coverage requirements. Remember that your landlord’s insurance doesn’t cover your personal belongings. Renters insurance protects your valuables from covered events and you from any claims brought against you for property damage or injuries taking place in your home. It also provides loss of use coverage for when your home becomes uninhabitable. Some insurers will provide additional coverage as part of their basic plan, or as purchasable add-ons. There is so much information to consider that the task can seem daunting - we’re here to help you sort through all the information so you can decide if an AARP renters insurance policy is right for you.
What AARP Renters Insurance Covers
Before making any decisions, you have to know what AARP renters insurance covers. AARP renters insurance from the Hartford offers the standard areas of coverage, targeting personal property, personal liability, and loss of use. Personal property insurance helps pay the cost to repair or replace items damaged in a covered event or stolen. Personal liability coverage protects you financially from legal judgments made against you for causing bodily harm or damage to others’ property. Loss of use covers additional living expenses in the event that our home becomes uninhabitable. The Hartford also offers additional coverage for more money, such as replacement cost for your personal items. This helps pay for a new item to replace the one that was stolen or damaged. In contrast, actual cash value coverage only pays for the value of the item at the time of the loss, meaning depreciation is factored in. Other add-ons include valuable items blanket coverage (for items like jewelry that might exceed normal policy limits), personal injury liability coverage (for damages resulting from charges of libel or slander), earthquake coverage (depending on the state you live in), and identity fraud expense coverage (reimburses you up to $25,000).
As with most renters insurance policies, AARP’s policies do not cover damage caused by indirect or direct flooding. You have to pay extra for water backup and sump pump overflow coverage, but this coverage also does not cover flooding or even water backup from sewers. The Hartford offers flood insurance as additional coverage. They recommend this extra layer of protection even for people who do not live near the coast or a river, as even areas that are not naturally prone to flooding can experience it for a variety of reasons. They particularly recommend flood insurance for people who live in a cold climate where the ground freezes, an area with cold spells that freeze rivers, and areas at risk for wildfires. The AARP Flood Insurance Plan from The Hartford includes access to specialists to answer any questions and provide you with quick personalized quotes. If you are an AARP member, The Hartford will offer you National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) coverage. The NFIP is a program created by the federal government. It works to share the risk of flood losses and to restrict floodplain development. The Hartford offers a 24/7 Claims Hotline if you need to report a flood claim.
AARP renters insurance covers pet damages to a certain degree. Like most providers, AARP renters insurance through The Hartford does not cover damage caused to your own items by your pet. In fact, most policies will exclude damages to the dwelling or its content when the cause is animals, rodents, or insects. What renters insurance will cover is issues of personal liability. If your pet damages someone else’s’ property or is responsible for their injuries in or around your home, your personal liability coverage will kick in to help covers costs such as medical bills or legal fees associated with being sued. However, it’s always important to check if your pet is covered under your provider’s policies. Exotic pets and certain breeds of dog are typically excluded from coverage. Most liability coverage starts at $100,000. If you have a dog some agents will recommend purchasing more liability protection. If your dog has a history of aggressive behaviour or has previously caused damages, insurance companies may refuse to cover it at all. There may be special consideration for dogs who aid their owners in cases of visual impairment or other forms of medical assistance.
AARP Renters Insurance Review and Costs at a Glance
We’ll start by providing a basic review of AARP renters insurance and costs. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) gave AARP renters insurance an A+, while JD Power, which looks at key indicators of customer satisfaction, gave AARP an average rating of 3 out of 5. Their NAIC complaints rating is around the average. AARP provides a membership program that caters specifically to seniors 50 years of age or older. However, younger customers can join AARP for the standard annual rate of $16, though they may not be eligible for all of AARP’s benefit providers’ services. This membership gives you discounts on travel, dining, entertainment, and shopping. Our focus here is the access it provides to insurance products. AARP’s renters insurance is provided under The Hartford. The average national renters insurance cost from The Hartford is $X.XX per year. Like other providers, The Hartford will determine the cost of your policy by looking at different factors such as location, the estimated value of your belongings, and the overall safety of your neighbourhood. AARP renters insurance from the Hartford includes all the standard coverage options, as well as options for extra coverage, though it will cost you a little extra.
| AARP Renters Insurance Stats Overview | Data |
|---|---|
| Average Cost in the U.S for AARP Renters Insurance Annually | $116.40 |
| Average Cost in the U.S for AARP Renters Insurance Monthly | $9.70 |
| AARP Renters Insurance JD Power Rating | 3/5 |
| BBB rating for AARP | A+ |
How Much is Renters Insurance Through AARP in Your State
One of your biggest questions is likely how much renters insurance is through AARP and The Hartford. Renters insurance rates can vary considerably based on numerous factors. AARP’s renters insurance through The Hartford is typically $X.XX a month, but your actual quote depends on where you live, your credit score, the coverage options you go with, and a host of other factors. The most expensive state for AARP renters insurance is Oklahoma, with an average of $X.XX per month. The least expensive state is Delaware, with an average payment of $X.XX per month.
How to Get a AARP Renters Insurance and Auto Insurance Discount
AARP renters insurance through The Hartford has credits and discounts available. You can get a 24-hour security service credit if your apartment or rental unit has a 24-hour security service or a monitored security system. You can also get a renters insurance renewal credit if you continue to renew your policy for four years with the AARP Rental Insurance Program from The Hartford. You can also bundle auto and renters insurance with AARP to receive a discount. You can receive an AARP renters insurance discount of up to 20% and up to 5% off your auto insurance when you bundle them together. If you’re 50 years or older, you can qualify for more insurance discounts through the AARP Home and Auto Insurance Program from the Hartford. Note that you have to be an AARP member to take advantage of the multi-policy bundle discounts. You can receive some savings on your premiums by improving home security with a burglar alarm, fire sprinkler system, and even small changes like deadbolt lock and smoke detectors. The more information you provide, the more likely it is an agent can offer you discounts that you’re eligible for.
How Much Does AARP Renters Insurance Cost Versus Competitors
Next we’ll look at how much AARP’s renters insurance costs in comparison to their competitors. Remember that your deductible will influence rates, and that averages can look quite different from the actual quotes you receive. The Hartford is one of the more expensive providers out there for some types of insurance, but their renters insurance premiums are lower than many competitors. Their most expensive competitor is Farm Bureau, with a price difference of $X.XX per month. Their least expensive competitor is AIG, which costs $X.XX less per month on average. However, remember that membership with AARP can offer special discounts and credits for The Hartford’s renters insurance.
Getting in Touch with AARP Renters Insurance
Filing a claim can seem like a challenge. We’re here to help by providing information on how to file an AARP renters insurance claim. You might be filing a claim because you’re a victim of theft, or because someone was injured in your home. You’ll have to provide a lot of information and documentation, so it’s best to try to collect as much as you can before to speaking with an agent. Our advice is to make an inventory of your valuables, as providers will often ask for information about the number and worth of your belongings when calculating your rates and when you’re making a claim. Document damage or loss as soon as it happens. Though you may be tempted to, don’t throw out damaged items, because they may be valuable evidence for your claim. Check online with your provider to see what specific documents they want and keep your policy document close at hand. You can file your claim online or call one of The Hartford’s agents. There is a number for AARP customers and for non-AARP customers; both can be called 24/7. Their online claims form is easy to find under ‘Claims’ on their website, and equally easy to fill out.
If you’re already an AARP or The Hartford customer, you might want to know about getting an AARP renters insurance renewal. The Hartford offers renewal discounts for customers who continue to renew over multiple years, as mentioned earlier. AARP will typically inform their members 30 to 60 days in advance of their renewal period. You can also renew your AARP membership on The Hartford’s website under ‘Renew’. They recommend automatic renewal so that your benefits will not be interrupted and offer a 25% discount. Though it is easy to renew your AARP membership online, renewing your insurance online (or turning off automatic renewal) is not so easy. You’ll have to call The Hartford’s agents to enroll in AutoPay or ask about your policy’s terms for renewal. Be careful -- it can be too easy to let your automatic renewal continue unchecked, but you should always check that your policy is still meeting your coverage needs and that your discounts are still being applied. Account service and online help is available Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm by calling The Hartford customer service.
If you’re looking for a change in providers, set to own your home instead of rent, or you’ve joined in on your partner’s insurance, you may be looking to cancel your AARP renters insurance plan with the Hartford. To cancel The Hartford insurance, you must call the AARP or non-AARP number provided on their website. You can also cancel by mail or in-person if you search up one of their agents by ZIP code or by state and city. You can set the cancellation date immediately or set it for a future date if you want to ensure coverage until your new policy activates. To cancel, you will be asked for your name and other basic information, your policy number, and the date you want your policy coverage to end. If you cancel within the policy period, The Hartford will refund the unused portion of your premium. You may be charged a 10% cancellation fee for early termination in certain states; ask your local agent if this fee applies to you. Make sure to follow up if you don’t receive notification of the cancellation.
Getting a AARP Renters Insurance Quote and Deciding Whether AARP is Right for You
To get an AARP renters insurance quote you can contact your local The Hartford agent, give them a call, or request a quote online. The Hartford’s website has a quote tool right near the top of the page. You start by entering your ZIP code then provide some basic information about you and your address. You can save your quote and have it emailed to you. We’ve gone over many aspects of AARP renters insurance, which is provided through their partner company The Hartford. Consider the trade-off of paying for AARP membership and the benefits it offers. If you are under 50 years of age, you’ll want to see if you are ineligible for certain benefits or insurance discounts. Always ask about what discounts are available; bundling and making your home more secure are some easy ways to save. Think about what additional coverage or supplementary policies might be a good idea, such as flood insurance. We always encourage you to shop around and compare quotes and coverage offerings from multiple providers. Use the information we’ve provided and do some of your own research to ensure you find the idea policy and provider for your budget and your insurance needs.
