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Renters Insurance Does Renters Insurance Cover Food Loss?

Does Renters Insurance Cover Food Loss?

Yes, renters insurance covers food loss if a covered peril causes a power outage or breaks one of your appliances. Read on to learn more about when renters insurance covers food spoilage.

Annette L. Annette L. March 12, 2021 Get a Renters Insurance Quote
Oranges on the floor covered by renters insurance

Table of Contents

  1. When does renters insurance cover spoiled food?
  2. When is food loss not covered by renters insurance?

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When does renters insurance cover spoiled food?

Renters insurance covers spoiled food under two circumstances. It covers food spoilage caused by a covered peril breaking your refrigerator or freezer, and food loss caused by certain types of power outages.

However, some policies stipulate that they’ll only cover your food if you took reasonable measures to save it. For example, if a fire destroyed your main fridge, and you could have transferred your food to your backup freezer or a cooler but neglected to do so, your insurance company might reject your claim.

Renters insurance won’t cover your roommate’s food

Renters insurance doesn't cover your roommates unless you specifically add them onto your policy, which usually isn't a good idea. To avoid potential disputes, your roommate should get their own policy to cover their potential food loss.

When does renters insurance cover power outages?

Renters insurance doesn’t always cover power outages because they’re not considered a peril in their own right. However, if a power outage is caused by a covered peril such as lightning, ice on the power line, or one of your appliances short-circuiting, your renters insurance will reimburse you and cover the subsequent food loss.

What about power surges?

Power surge damage is variable — some policies always cover it, some never do, and others cover it as long as the surge was caused by a covered peril. However, if the power surge directly causes another covered peril, like a fire, almost all renters insurance policies will cover your losses from the damage.

Loss-of-use coverage

Food expenses can also be reimbursed through your policy’s loss-of-use coverage. If your home is made uninhabitable and you’re forced to move out temporarily, any additional food expenses (in meals or groceries) that you incur will be covered by your insurer.

When is food loss not covered by renters insurance?

Renters insurance doesn’t cover food loss caused by any of the following circumstances:

Appliances breaking down due to your negligence: If you fail to maintain your freezer by neglecting to clean it and your food spoils, your policy won’t cover it.

Normal wear and tear: If the compressor of your secondhand refrigerator stops working over time, renters insurance won’t reimburse you for the food loss.

Damage of your appliances by excluded perils: If your food spoilage was caused by a flood or earthquake, a standard renters insurance policy won’t cover you.

Renters insurance covers appliances if they are broken by a covered peril

Your renters insurance covers appliances (like your fridge) if they're damaged by covered perils like fire. If that occurs, you can file a claim for both your refrigerator and the food loss, and be reimbursed up to your coverage limit.

Takeaways

  • Renters insurance covers food loss if your refrigerator was broken by a covered peril, or if your food spoiled due to a power outage caused by a covered peril.
  • Food loss can be covered by either your policy’s personal property coverage or loss-of-use coverage.
  • Renters insurance only covers power outages under specific circumstances, and it usually doesn’t cover power surges.
  • Your renters insurance policy won’t cover food loss if an appliance breaks down due to your own negligence or normal wear and tear.

Related Questions

  • What is guest medical coverage in renters insurance?
  • What is a sub-limit in renters insurance?
  • Does renters insurance cover home-based businesses?
  • Does renters insurance cover gold or silver bullion?
  • What does "dependent in the care of" mean in renters insurance?
  • Does State Farm renters insurance cover hotel stays?

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