Be Prepared with Rhode Island Renters Insurance
September 25th, 2011 -- Posted in Real Estate | No Comments »If you’re a tenant, why not use those Rhode Island renters insurance costs as inspiration to make the rental property you live in one where you feel safe? After all, a home that presents less of a risk to an insurer can result in lower insurance premiums.
Fire protection
As a tenant, you should try to minimize fire risks wherever you can. Ensuring that smoke alarms have fresh batteries is important, but it’s just a start. While you may not be able to install expensive options such as sprinkler systems, you can have a hand in purchasing fire blankets or extinguishers, and in checking that heating elements are switched off. If there is no fire protection, raise the issue with the agent or landlord.
Theft protection
Theft is a common risk faced by many tenants. Keep your risks low by ensuring that your doors and windows are locked while you’re away, and that your garage door is kept closed at all times. If you share your property with other tenants, ensure that they are vigilant about keeping any shared entry ways closed at all times, and that they don’t let strangers into the property.
Keep up-to-date on maintenance
Although covering the costs of maintenance is generally up to a landlord, tenants should always keep an eye on the condition of the property where they live. After all, a leaking pipe can be a disaster if left untended and cause damage to your belongings—and your landlord can only do something about it if you let them know that there’s a problem.
Another thing you can do is approach the agent or landlord and ask if they’re prepared to install additional security features – doing so may reduce their property insurance premiums as well as make it less likely you’ll ever need to claim on your renters insurance policy.