10 Best Renters Insurance Companies in Connecticut of 2023

Buying renters insurance is necessary if you live in a rental apartment.

You need to protect all your valuables inside your unit, and if there is theft of your possessions or a fire that damages them, you would have to pay for the costs to replace your items on your own.

But if you had renters insurance, it would cover your losses.

Plus, if a guest is injured on your property and needs medical attention as well as related costs to rehabilitate the person, he or she may file an expensive lawsuit against you.

Where would you get the money?

Renters insurance in CT covers liability so the company will pay for your legal defense and all related medical bills.

Still not convinced?

Well, renters insurance gives you peace of mind. You no longer need to worry if your laptop will get stolen, for example, if you leave it in the car. Yes, renters insurance doesn’t just cover your apartment.

In addition, renters insurance costs very little.

According to PropertyNest research, the average basic renters insurance policy in Connecticut costs $15.49 a month.

Even better, insurance companies offer some discounts that will lower your premium.

For example, if you bundle your renters insurance with your auto policy, you’ll get a discount.

But how do you find renters insurance that meets your needs? What if you have expensive jewelry? Will your policy cover that if it gets stolen?

Do you need to talk to a live agent to get a quote? Or is doing it online more efficient?

And what about customer service? Are they readily available and a pleasure to speak to? Our research of renters insurance policies turned up numerous customer service complaints from policyholders.

We did the work for you. Focusing on affordability, coverage options, customer service satisfaction, and discounts on a renters insurance policy, we narrowed our list down to the best renters insurance companies in Connecticut based on categories.

Compare Renters Insurance Rates in CT

Lemonade: Best for Paying Your Claim

Lemonade is the first online insurance company.

It is based online and on its app.

We chose Lemonade for its fast claims processing and payments.

Lemonade's policies start at a monthly rate of $5, but depending on your coverage and how much risk there is in your situation, it could go higher.

Filing a claim is easy. Just use Lemonade’s app, where you have to answer a few questions, and send in a video that explains how the loss or damage occurred, and in most situations, your claim may be paid in as little as three minutes.

Read the full Lemonade renters insurance review.

Liberty Mutual: Best for Cheapest Policies

Liberty Mutual is known as the cheapest renters insurance in Connecticut.

According to the company, policy premiums start at $5 per month, but that’s only for standard coverage.

We researched and figured out that the average standard coverage starts at $11 per month. That’s still cheap.

But if you add any riders or add-ons, your premium will go up.

Read a full Liberty Mutual home insurance review.

Allstate: Best for Bundling Services and Discounts

Renters insurance from Allstate has been rated high by AM Best Company for Insurance. They offer various discounts and have excellent online tools that help renters identify their best plan.

This is a multi-policy from one company that can help you compare against your current coverage with ease through their website. With them, there are no limits when it comes to discounts for age or even if you're retired.

Lower your monthly renters insurance premiums by bundling them with car insurance. Allstate's Renters Insurance will protect you and your belongings in the event of a fire, robbery, vandalism, or other unforeseen disasters.

Read a full Allstate renters insurance review.

State Farm: Best for Customer Service

State Farm has the best overall customer service for renters in Connecticut.

State Farm prides itself in offering services tailored to meet the needs of each individual customer.

State Farm's wide range of offerings also makes it well-suited to provide clients with comprehensive protection that truly fits their lifestyle and budget requirements.

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Allstate has a very low Complaint Index.

That’s also the case for State Farm’s intuitive website.

And when contacting State Farm, renters or prospective renters don’t have to jump through hoops to talk to a real-life customer service rep.

State Farm's response time is fast.

However, renters who need extra coverage to protect valuable items like artwork and rare books should look elsewhere. State Farm lacks the full range of extra coverages that many renters want or need.

State Farm is affordable. The average price for renters insurance from State Farm is $15 per month.

That's 21% cheaper than the statewide average.

Read a full State Farm renters insurance editors review.

Travelers Insurance: Best for Coverage Options

Travelers has some of the best customizable coverage compared to other insurances in the same league.

It has double the number of deductibles, medical payments, and loss of use options than other companies.

The fact that you can get additional coverage as an add-on allows for more customization.

In addition to its personal property replacement add-on, Travelers has some unique optional coverages.

Other insurers don’t have two coverages: water backup coverage and equipment breakdown.

Here is the list for additional coverage:

• Additional coverage package
• Personal property replacement
• Decreasing deductible
• Identity fraud expense
• Valuable item coverage
• Extended liability

The downside is that Travelers’ rates are higher than other renters insurance companies on our list.

Also, you have to fork over a year’s worth of coverage as soon as your coverage begins. There is no option for monthly payments.

Nationwide: Best for Online Presence

So you can’t sign up for renters insurance online with Nationwide.

But the great thing about Nationwide is after you finalize a quote and buy a policy through the agent, you can do everything online.

You can manage your insurance.

You can change your coverage (which is unique to Nationwide’s online services), file a claim, and make payments.

And with Nationwide, you can always make sure that you have the right coverage.

Nationwide’s “On Your Side Review” allows you to get a personalized review of your insurance to make sure you have the right coverage and are getting all possible discounts.

The Hartford: Best for Riders

The Hartford, which is based in Connecticut, offers you more coverage over and beyond a standard policy.

These are riders that can broaden your coverage for a fee. Some of the best that The Hartford offers can be found below:

AAA: Best for Young People

AAA is known for its low premiums, which is why first-time renters, college students, or recent grads who need to go from a dorm to a rental use the insurance company.

AAA boasts premiums as low as $8 per month, although you need to be an AAA member (which is easy to sign up to receive wildly discounted rates).

The cost is nearly half of the $15 national average for renters insurance,

But remember that the cost for low insurance will vary based on your rental location (such as if it’s in a safe neighborhood and your building has security), the number of roommates you have, and whether you have pets. 

If you are already an AAA member, your renters insurance will only cost a few dollars per month.

If you bundle because your car is backed by AAA auto insurance, you may get roadside assistance benefits and other rewards when you buy an AAA renters policy.

For young people, there is always that risk that your dorm or rental unit will be burglarized or that your possessions may be damaged from burst pipes, fires, or other disasters.

Your school or landlord will not cover your damages.

And dorms are easy to break into because most only have a passcode at the dorm door.

It’s easy for a thief to follow a student in to pilfer your belongings.

And it’s even easier when your dorm is having a party that leaks from dorm rooms to halls, and the doors keep opening for students to join in.

Homesite: Best for Easily Getting a Quote and a Buying a Policy

Homesite is best known for having customized and tailored policies, so you don’t end up paying for coverage you don’t need.

But the company is also known for its innovative technology.

You can go on Homesite’s website to get a quote and buy a policy in only one visit. That saves you a lot of time.

(If you are not online savvy, you can contact Homesite’s friendly contact center)

What also saves you time is that you can also easily file a claim using the online customer portal, and the renters insurance policy will process your claim in the fastest and most efficient way.

To start the process of renters insurance, you only have to fill out a brief form online that takes a few minutes and is used to customize your quote.

It’s even more efficient to use the Homesite website to view your policy, pay your bills, and enroll in automatic payments and paperless billing, to name a few.

How Well Received is Homesite?

• A.M. Best: A
• BBB: A+

Farmers: Best for Claims Satisfaction

Farmers is known for its inexpensive insurance policies and personalized attention to your insurance needs.

But what we liked best about Farmers is that it’s highly rated for claims satisfaction.

Filing a claim with Farmers could not be easier, and you don’t have to wait long for reimbursements.

There are five ways to file a claim:

• You can call your local Farmers insurance agent.
• You can contact Farmers by calling its claims center.
• You can file a claim on the Farmers website.
• You can also file a claim via text.
• And you can file a claim through the Farmers mobile app.

Keep in mind that while Farmers prides itself on its fast claims process, drawbacks may lengthen the time for a speedier response.

These include how complex your situation is, if other parties involved in the claim are cooperative, and the extent of the damages or if any injuries were involved.

Is Renters Insurance Mandatory to Rent an Apartment in Connecticut

In the state of Connecticut, renters insurance is not mandatory by law for those who are renting an apartment.

While renters insurance is not required by law in Connecticut, some landlords need proof that you have renters insurance before you sign a lease.

But in most cases, landlords don’t necessarily require you to have renters insurance.

The landlord’s insurance exists to protect the building and only the landlord’s personal belongings.

The inside of the building means all common areas, such as elevators. steps, halls, the front desk, and the main entrance or lobby.

Because a landlord can’t cover you, it falls on you to protect your personal belongings with renters insurance.

What Does Renters Insurance Cover in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, the standard renters insurance policy resembles those policies in different states. That’s because a standard policy is, well, standard. The riders and add-ons make each renters insurance different and unique.

Liability Coverage

Liability protects you against lawsuits from people who have bodily injuries or property damages that you or your family caused to them.

Liability also covers your legal defense, and a standard policy includes up to $100,000 in liability coverage.

For example, if Clifford the Big Red Dog bites your neighbor who is visiting your house and the neighbor needs stitches and medical attention, the policy will pay for any medical bills incurred.

Personal Property Coverage

Personal property coverage pays to repair or replace the stolen or damaged property if there’s a covered peril.

For example, your laptop or your expensive shocking electric green go-to-hell pants.

A covered peril in a standard policy is a damaging event due to theft, vandalism, fire, smoke damage, climate changes like lightning and windstorms, explosions, water damage, and other events listed in your policy.

Loss of Use

This policy covers basic living expenses and temporary housing costs if your unit becomes uninhabitable.

For example, if there’s a fire or another covered peril that damages your rental to the point that you can no longer live there safely, loss of use will reimburse you for any hotel stays meals that you have at restaurants, as well as any basic or necessary living expenses.

Medical Payments

This policy pays for medical care if there is bodily injury to a person that occurs in your rental unit, regardless of fault.

Unfortunately, if any damage exceeds the amount of your coverage, you will be responsible for paying the costs that aren’t covered.

Here’s a full list of covered losses found in most Connecticut renters insurance policies:

• Fire and lightning
• Windstorm and hail
• Theft and vandalism
• Explosions
• Riots
• Damage by vehicle
• Smoke damage
• Falling objects
• Weight of snow, ice, and sleet
• Water damage not caused by flooding

What Does Renters Insurance Not Cover?

Just as it’s important for you to know what your policy covers, it’s also important to know what your policy doesn’t cover.

If the structure of your complex is damaged, that’s not covered.

That falls on the landlord.

Renters insurance also doesn’t cover damages caused by earthquakes or floods.

If you need a flood policy, you can buy an add-on, so you’re covered.

Neighborhoods on the shoreline of Connecticut often increase their coverage of floods because they live near the water.

Residents in Connecticut shoreline towns that typically add flood coverage to their policy include Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, Westport, New Haven, Branford, Guilford, Madison, and Clinton, for example.

A standard policy doesn’t cover flood damage because it’s often catastrophic, and claims can be high in cost, making the insurer unable to offer flood insurance.

To get flood coverage, you can go to a private company specializing in flood insurance or turn to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Renters insurance also doesn’t cover bugs, pests, or wildlife infestations.

What is the Average Cost of Renters Insurance in Connecticut?

The average basic renters insurance premium in Connecticut is $15.49 a month. The actual cost will change once the insurance evaluates the location in which you live for safety concerns and the policyholder’s possessions, to name a few.

The $15.49 quote is based on a policy for a hypothetical 35-year-old person with $15,000 in personal property coverage, $100,000 in liability coverage, and a $500 deductible.

What Factors Increase Your Policy?

There are major factors that increase your policy. These include:

• The amount of coverage you chose
• The value of your personal property
• Whether you decide between ACV (actual cost value) or replacement costs
• The amount of your deductible
• The amount of liability coverage you choose

But the most important thing that insurers look at is your rental location.

If crime rates are high where you live, your rate will be higher.

Is the location of your unit prone to natural disasters like severe wind and hurricanes? If so, your policy will go up.

So not all Connecticut cities have equal renters insurance rates.

Policies are often priced on the local variables, as indicated above.

Can You Lower Renters Insurance Premiums?

The easiest way to get affordable renters insurance in Connecticut is to get quotes from as many insurers as possible.

Keep in mind that your rates will vary depending on the value of your belongings and your coverage limits.

However, we don't recommend buying a policy based on price alone. Coverage options and customer service matter, too.

Most insurance companies offer various discounts for renters insurance. The most popular ones are listed below:

Multi-Policy/Bundling

If you have existing car coverage and buy renters insurance from the same company, you’ll probably get a discount.

Security

Renters insurance companies give you a discount based on how secure your rental apartment is.

If you have multiple locks on your unit, burglar alarms, and smoke alarms, live in a well-respected and crime-free neighborhood, have a doorman or camera in the lobby, or live in a gated community, you will most certainly get a discount.

Claim-Free

You will get a claims-free discount if you’ve never made a claim with your insurance.

Great Credit Score

If you have a FICO score that’s higher than 700, you can get a better rate. Your rate will increase if your score is “good” or below 650.

Increase Your Deductible

A deductible is an amount the insurer makes you pay before your insurance picks up the tab. If you increase your deductible, your premium rates will be lowered.

Say you increase a deductible from $250 to $500. This can create annual savings of up to 15%.

Auto Pay

If you enroll in automatic payment, you can earn a discount.

When You Need to Purchase a Rider

If you have high-value possessions, note that they will not be covered up by your personal property limit.

To make sure that your jewelry is insured to its full value, you need to add a rider to your policy.

A rider or endorsement adds more benefits to your basic renters insurance policy.

It’s an add-on for a high-value item that exceeds normal policy coverage limits.

The typical standard renters insurance value cap for high-priced items like jewelry is around $10,000.

So if your pearls are appraised at $15,000, you have to pay for the extra $5,000.

However, with the rider, you will be fully covered.

But your rate will go up.

The good thing is that the rate won’t skyrocket.

Riders have low costs since they don’t involve too much underwriting

What is Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost?

When purchasing renters insurance. it’s important to know the difference because the insurance will ask you to decide between both.

Replacement cost insurance pays the actual cost of replacing your possessions. If your laptop gets stolen and is five years old, insurance will pay to purchase a brand new laptop today regardless of depreciation and up to the limits on your policy.

In contrast, the Actual Cash Value (ACV) policy will only reimburse you for the depreciated value of your possessions if they're damaged or destroyed.

Replacement cost is more attractive to customers because their possessions aren’t depreciated.

Do You Need an Inspection for Renters Insurance?

When searching for renters insurance, many prospective renters may ask if an inspection is necessary to get this type of coverage.

In most cases, renters insurance does not require an inspection; however, there may be certain situations where an inspection is recommended.

Depending on the policy type and associated risks, renters may find that reinspections are part of their policy process.

Our Methodology

Read our full in-depth renters insurance methodology.

How We Ranked and Picked the Best Renters Insurance Companies in Connecticut

We gathered information from multiple trusted sources and Connecticut's renters insurance companies. We narrowed our search down to the needs of Connecticut residents by prioritizing the following:

Policy Cost

You shouldn’t pay high for renters insurance. We looked at insurers with rates lower than or near the national average and multiple discounts to lower the policy. These accounts ranked higher on the list than others.

Policy coverage

A reputable insurance provider should have a range of policy coverages to cover your needs. Everyone is different in Connecticut, and that includes renters insurance companies.

We looked at the basic or standard coverage option, unique features that other insurers don’t have, and add-ons or riders to make sure you are sufficiently covered for peril and to make sure you feel safe in your apartment.

Customer Service

Customer service took center stage while looking for insurers.

A company's customer service needs to be reliable, attentive, and available.

The last one ultimately decided what we put on the list.

We looked at an insurer’s customer service to see if it was open 24/7, or seven days a week, or if it was easy to resolve problems with an agent,

with bonus points for those who had websites and mobile apps where you could buy a policy, check up on it, pay a bill, or change your deductible.

In other words, we looked at those that provided convenience.

Location

We surveyed average renters insurance coverage prices in New Haven, Hartford, Greenwich, Stamford, and Bridgeport.