If you decide to rent a home, you’re taking on a responsibility for someone else’s property. Living in a rental means that you have to oversee the safety and upkeep of the property. Even if the property's owner plays a role in upkeep, you still have a lot of influence over its day-to-day safety.
Before moving into a rental, you likely have to purchase renters insurance in some form. Renters insurance can help cover a lot of different risks that you face as a renter. It can cover you from a variety of different perils, including fires.
If a fire occurs, renters insurance might help you recover costs for lost personal property. However, you also have a responsibility to reduce fire risks in your own home. If you don’t, you could cause your renters insurance to lapse. Neglect and negligence are prime reasons for insurance companies to deny claims. Insurance often doesn’t cover accidents negligently caused by the renter.
Therefore, as you move into a rental property, make sure you take steps to reduce fire risks.
- Research the home’s electrical history. Bad electrical wiring is one of the leading causes of home fires. Ask your property owner to prove the home meets minimum electrical code requirements.
- Learn how to operate the home’s major utility systems like the heat or gas. Proper operations greatly reduce fire risks.
- If your home has pre-installed lighting, learn what type and wattage of bulbs the systems use. That way, you can ensure you buy proper replacements when needed.
- If the home has a fireplace, ensure that you have it cleaned and learn how to properly use it.
- Check around the home to remove shrubbery or debris near flammable sources.
- Check your personal appliances and electrical items. Look for frayed cords or broken internal systems. Don’t use damaged appliances in a new home.
- When setting up your new home, take note of fire risks. Make sure you don’t place flammable items near electrical vents or sources of heat.
- Learn how to operate your home’s electrical panel. Doing so will help you not overburden appliance systems. Don’t operate too many electrical appliances at once until you learn how the systems respond to use.
- Keep an eye on your home’s major systems for a period of time after you move in. If you notice flickering lights, strange smells or smoke, shut down the systems immediately. Call the landlord and an inspection service as soon as possible.
Getting renters insurance often greatly protects you from fire risks on your property. However, you have to take responsibility to always be on the lookout for small fire risks.
We have you covered. We can help you get Smyrna renters insurance to cover your needs. Call us at 877.997.2478 for more information.