My son broke a neighbor’s window. Will my renters insurance pay for the damages?

Whether or not your renters insurance will cover the cost of the damages to your neighbor’s broken window will depend on the specific terms and coverage of your policy. Renters insurance typically provides liability coverage, which means that if you or a member of your household accidentally damages someone else’s property, the insurance can help cover the cost of repairs or replacement.

However, this coverage will only apply up to the limits of your policy, so it’s important to review your policy to see how much coverage you have. In the case of a broken window, the cost of repairs or replacement will likely depend on the size and type of the window, as well as any additional costs for installation or labor.

If the cost of repairs is less than your policy’s liability coverage limit, then your renters insurance may cover the cost of the damages. However, it’s important to note that filing a claim with your renters insurance may also result in an increase in your premium or deductible, so it’s important to weigh the cost of repairs against the potential impact on your insurance costs.

Additionally, if your neighbor decides to file a claim against you directly, your renters insurance may also provide coverage for legal expenses and damages awarded in a lawsuit, again, up to the limits of your policy.

It’s always a good idea to contact your renters insurance provider as soon as possible after an incident like this occurs. They can help you understand your policy’s coverage and guide you through the claims process if necessary.

Asked September 6, 2015 by Andy Villena