8 Best Renters Insurance Companies in Georgia of 2023

You should consider buying renters insurance if you rent in a coastal state. It covers your personal belongings in case of disaster and pays out if you're found at fault for injuries or property damage to others.

Renters insurance is relatively simple. You carry a monthly premium with an insurer that covers medical expenses for those who are injured on your property, any legal fees if the injured decides to sue you, and personal property protection if your items are damaged or destroyed due to a covered peril.

But there are some nuances when it comes to selecting a policy, which is where this guide comes in.

There are a lot of great companies in Georgia that offer renters insurance, but not all have the same features.

According to PropertyNest research, the average basic renters insurance price in Georgia is $25.89 per month, but this will vary depending on the value of your belongings and the amount of coverage you need.

We compared rates and benefits between top insurers to find which one had low prices with ample coverage options for renters needs.

Compare Renters Insurance Rates in GA

The Best Renters Insurance in Georgia

• Lemonade – Best for Transparency
• Allstate – Best for Live Agents
• Liberty Mutual – Best for Discounts
• State Farm – Best for Cheap Renters Insurance
• Travelers – The Best Policy for Coverage
• Nationwide – Best for Additional Coverage at No Cost to You
• Amica Mutual – Best for Cheap Renters Insurance for College Students
• USAA – Best for International Coverage

Lemonade: Best for Transparency

Lemonade insurance trades brick-and-mortar offices, live agents, and customer service reps for an all-inclusive digital platform.

Powered by artificial intelligence, everything about your renters insurance in Georgia is done online or on Lemonade’s mobile app.

Using either means you can sign up for a policy, adjust your coverage, add-on add-ons, file claims, and ask questions online anytime and anywhere you want.

Lemonade offers cheap rates as it keeps costs low by doing away with live customer service, for example.

Since buying a policy online and having claims processing take only minutes to complete, Lemonade prides itself on being very transparent about its business model.

Lemonade's policies start at $5 a month, but depending on the coverage you choose, the rates could go higher.

Personal property coverage is basic. It covers your belongings up to the policy limit of $15,000.

But many people need more than that, especially to cover expensive items.

Will that increase your premium? With other companies, it will.

But with Lemonade, if you increase coverage for fine art by adding $25,000, you will only be paying for that coverage for a low amount, which starts at just sixty-seven cents and goes up to around $3.17.

Lemonade has no hidden fees, which is why the policy allows you to cancel at any time.

All of that is transparent too.

Read the full Lemonade home insurance review.

Allstate: Best for Live Agents

Allstate’s premium for basic renters coverage is as affordable as its direct competitor, State Farm. A policy with Allstate starts at around $17 and goes up to $20 a month.

But Allstate doesn’t just have cheap premiums. They are also known for their customer service.

Those who are young often gravitate to insurers like Lemonade because you can accomplish many things related to your policy online or on its app without having to speak to a company rep. Of course, online-only companies are the future of the renters insurance industry.

But what if you needed to speak to customer service? You can’t do that with Lemonade because they don’t have reps.

That’s why Allstate is a good option if you prefer to work with a local agent rather than handing your policy online.

The company has a vast network of agents around the nation.

Allstate has a “Find an Agent” tool online that makes it easy to see if there’s an agent in your area, which is often the case. So, you can speak to a live agent that is near you and who will be able to give you a customized quote because they often know the area in which you live.

And besides, there are still millions of customers out there who prefer the human touch. Many older people or those who grew up without the Internet or are not Internet savvy still prefer working with a company directly.

Also called a multi-policy discount, bundling renters with your auto policy will give you 10% off your auto policy and 25% off your renters policy.

However, customer reviews reveal that Allstate’s claims process could be better; many complain that the insurer is often unwilling to pay certain claims that are covered in a basic policy.

Read a full Allstate renters insurance review.

Liberty Mutual: Best for Discounts

Liberty Mutual was the second-cheapest renters insurance company we looked at, with an average price of $21 per month.

The insurer is for Georgia renters who can’t find affordable rates from our picks and can qualify for a ton of discounts.

In fact, Liberty offers the most discounts for any insurer who does business in Georgia.

With these discounts, you can expect the average price premium for Liberty Mutual to go down, making it as affordable as State Farm.

Liberty offers standard discounts. Like bundling your renters with another Liberty policy such as auto insurance, being claim-free, going paperless, and receiving all documents electronically.

Liberty also offers the following discounts that are more unique in relation to top insurers in Georgia.

You can save if you:

• Sign up online.
• Sign up for automatic payments linked to your bank account.
• Maintain a clean record.
• Switch from your current provider before your policy ends.
• Have security features in your rental, such as alarms and security cameras.

Read a full Liberty Mutual home insurance review.

State Farm: Best for Cheap Renters Insurance

State Farm is known for many things, including being renowned as the largest insurer for home and renters policies in 39 states, its reputation for meeting the needs of its clients, and its physical and online presence to help make a claim easier and faster.

The insurer has an easy buying process and the best customer service among all the insurers we looked at.

State Farm is also a community leader. For its auto policy, for example, it has backed several safety programs and even helped pass many seat belt laws.

But it is the insurer’s premium cost that stands out the most.

The average price of State Farm renters insurance is $18 per month. That’s lower than the Georgia average of $20.00, making the company the cheapest all-around.

Read a full State Farm renters insurance review.

Travelers: The Best Policy for Coverage

Georgia renters who prefer more exclusive coverage turn to Travelers.

The coverages that stand out are high-priced personal property coverage, equipment breakdown coverage, and water backup coverage.

Valuable Items Coverage

The company covers expensive jewelry, fine art, collectibles, and more, and you can add higher limits of coverage to your personal belongings so they can be completely covered.

Since a standard renters insurance policy usually comes with a personal property limit of $10,000, Travelers makes sure you are sufficiently covered so that you are not paying out-of-pocket.

For example, say your jewelry was stolen and was appraised at $15,000. Without this added coverage, which you have to pay extra for, you’d be paying $5,000.

Equipment Breakdown Coverage

Equipment breakdown pays for the repair of mechanical devices like washing machines and dryers if they stop working or are malfunctioning.

Water Backup Coverage

Water backup coverage pays for damage to your property due to water backup.

Nationwide: Best for Additional Coverage at No Cost to You

Nationwide is unique because it offers certain coverages as part of its basic policy that most insurers do not.

Here are a few:

Building Additions and Alterations

Nationwide will pay for covered damages if you make any additions or improvements to your rented home, such as installing a smart TV on the wall.

Credit Card Coverage

Nationwide will pay you for any unauthorized charges if your credit or debit card is stolen and used. The insurer also pays if you have forged checks.

Brand New Belongings

Like replacement cost coverage, Nationwide will pay you the depreciated value if your personal belongings get stolen, damaged, or destroyed during a covered event.

If it’s revealed that replacing the items costs more than the claim reimbursement, the insurer will cover the difference.

To get replacement cost coverage with a similar insurer, you need to buy it as an add-on. With Nationwide, the coverage is standard in its basic policy.

The only downside is that Nationwide is not as affordable as other insurers. Rates start at $17 but can go up if you schedule valuable items.

Amica Mutual: Best for Cheap Renters Insurance for College Students

Amica Mutual has a great online presence with its customer portal.

For those who want the fastest service, Amica’s website can take care of all your renters insurance needs without having to wait on hold for a live customer service rep. You can report and track claims, upload documents, and check up on add-ons you may want, for example.

But did you know that Amica is best for college students who rent apartments or other types of housing?

Amica’s Renters Essentials package covers all college student needs.

Here are some examples of what you get:

Personal Property Replacement

Provides full repair or replacement of your personal property, up to your limit of coverage. The high point here is that this coverage pays in full without depreciation, which means you get today’s prices for a laptop replacement.

Smart Devices and Computer

What college student does not have a computer or laptop, an iPhone or other smartphone, an iPad or e-reader, and a multifunction copy machine?

These days, students are always connected. But if you are a victim of theft and your laptop or other electronics are stolen, this policy will cover your losses.

Identity Fraud

With this coverage, you'll be reimbursed for unauthorized use of your identity, including credit card usage, up to your coverage limit.

Read a full Amica renters insurance review.

Amica’s prices are affordable, and a standard policy starts at $13 but can go up depending on where you live and if you have security measures in your rental, for example.

To get a lower rate, Amica offers college students many discounts, such as:

USAA: Best for International Coverage

Unlike many renters insurance companies, USAA covers not only all 50 states and the District of Columbia but also the UK, Germany, Italy, and other international locations.

USAA was created for active or retired military members and their families. As such, it has a few unique coverages for them.

One, if members are deployed or live abroad, their personal property is covered with overseas insurance.

Two, if active-duty members live on base or post, they can save a whopping 28% on their policies.

Three, USAA offers in their standard policy, and to no cost to you, flood, storms, and earthquake coverage.

With other insurers, these coverages must be purchased as add-ons to your policy, which can drive up your premium.

However, unlike other insurers, USAA requires all policyholders to be military members. This includes current and former U.S. military members, their children, and their spouses. Also, former spouses are included, but they can’t have re-married.

USAA also offers replacement cost coverage, so you get reimbursed for your items in full at today’s price if they were damaged or destroyed due to a covered peril.

Also, the insurer offers up to $750,000 worth of personal property coverage.

Is Renters Insurance Required in Georgia?

Renters insurance is not required by law in Georgia.

However, your landlord may require it. The landlord may want proof of renters insurance at the time you sign your lease.

Your landlord will have insurance, but that in no way covers you.

The insurance is reserved for repairing or rebuilding the apartment building if it was destroyed due to, say, fire.

In addition, the landlord’s insurance covers common areas in an apartment building that may need repairs, such as the lobby, the elevator, the hallways, and other common spaces.

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

What is the Average Cost of Renters Insurance in Georgia?

The premium rate for renters insurance changes for every renter.

The average cost of basic renters insurance in Georgia is $310.68 a year, or about $25.89 a month.

The average basic renters insurance cost in the U.S. is $206 per year or $17 per month.

Renters coverage in Georgia is higher than the national average.

But some of the companies that made our list offer coverage that is lower than the state average.

What Determines Your Premium

For any of the above insurers, you will probably pay less or more than the average cost due to several factors.

• Safe Neighborhood: If you live in a safe neighborhood and/or a safe building (doormen, security cameras, etc.) you’ll pay less.
• High-Priced Possessions: If you insure high-value personal belongings with additional coverage, you’ll pay more. That’s because the additional coverage is an add-on that you have to pay extra for.
• No Flood Area: If you live in a neighborhood that is not prone to flooding, your rate will be low.
• Crime Rate: If your city or suburb has a high crime rate, you’ll pay more.
• Credit Score: If you have a high credit score above 700, you’ll get a cheaper rate. If your score is low, around under 650, you can expect a higher premium.
• Deductible: If you raise your deductible, your rate will be lowered.

Why is Renters Insurance in Georgia So Costly?

The average cost of renters insurance in Georgia is $6 more than the national average.

The reason renters insurance in Georgia is so costly is its high violent crime rate.

In general, renters insurance companies prefer insuring a renter who lives in a safe neighborhood, a safe rental unit inside a gated community, and where you live on a high floor and have security measures in place, and/or a safe building that has 24/7 doormen and security cameras.

Since Georgia is not a safe state, renters insurance companies can charge a higher premium to Georgia residents because the companies predict that there will be higher claims that they will have to pay, which can lower their strong financial standing.

According to data from the FBI, Georgia's violent crime rate stands at 400 incidents per 100,000 people, which is higher than in most other states.

Aggravated assault is the cause of most violent crimes in Georgia.

In addition, homicide cases are also high.

Do You Need Hurricane, Earthquake, or Flood Coverage in Georgia?

Renters insurance covers wind damage, water damage, and hail.

But no matter what renters insurance company you pick, a renters insurance policy never covers flooding.

If your city or suburb is prone to hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods, it’s usually recommended that you purchase separate endorsements for these disasters so your belongings are fully covered.

You’ll pay more, but you’ll be protected, especially if a natural disaster makes your rental uninhabitable.

Georgia residents are lucky because Georgia is the least disaster-prone state in the South, and one of the least disaster-prone places nationwide, according to the Washington Post.

But Georgia does have natural disasters. They aren’t as frequent as in other states.

Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms that bring in wind speeds of more than 58 mph occur during the spring and summer.

Hail

Hail can cause serious damage, but the standard renters insurance in Georgia covers hail so you don’t have to pay extra.

Tornadoes

Georgia is also susceptible to tornadoes. The state averages 30 tornadoes each year.

However, Georgia is protected. Renters insurance covers wind damage, so a tornado policy doesn’t have to be bought separately.

Tropical Storms and Hurricanes

These are least likely to occur in Georgia. For example, only 7% of all hurricanes ever hit Georgia.

But tropical storms can be devastating, as they can lead to flooding.

Flooding

As a coastal state, Georgia is at risk for hurricanes that form in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico.

If you live in a hurricane area in Georgia, such as Marietta, Atlanta, Woodstock, Gainesville, Rome, and Savannah, it’s in your best interest to add a flood insurance policy for your belongings.

A standard renters insurance policy does not cover flood damage.

A standard renters insurance policy also does not cover hurricanes.

If your property is damaged by a flood and you don't have a flood insurance policy, you'll need to pay out of pocket to replace them.

Related: Best Flood Insurance Companies.

Can You Lower Rental Insurance Premiums?

Yes. Before signing up, a renters insurance company will offer you various discounts to lower your premium.

All companies offer discounts, but some have more than others. The amount of discounts you get depends on the company.

The most popular ones that are offered to Georgia residents include the following.

Multi-Policy/Bundling

If you bundle your renters insurance with car insurance from the same company, you’ll get a discount.

Multi-policies are almost always offered in renters insurance, and they are popular because they are the only discount that shaves off a large percentage of your premium, making you pay lower each month.

Security

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

The safer the neighborhood, the higher your discount will be.

Claim-Free

If you’ve never made a claim with your insurance for a set period of time, you’ll get a discount.

High Credit Score

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

Related: How to Check Your Credit Score Rating.

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.

For example, if you increase your deductible from $250 to $500, you can get annual savings of up to 15% off.

What Does Renters Insurance Cover in Georgia?

Renters insurance, like home insurance, is for individuals who rent an apartment or a unit.

Renters insurance reimburses an individual who has renters insurance if there’s damage or loss in personal property as a result of fire, theft, or vandalism.

In Georgia, the standard renters insurance policy covers liability, theft, medical treatment, and loss of use.

Liability Coverage

Liability protects you against lawsuits from someone who experiences bodily damage, as well as property damage, that you or your family caused to them on your property.

So, if the injured person sues you for damages, liability will cover your legal defense.

Personal Property Coverage

If you have personal property that’s stolen or vandalized or that has been damaged due to fire, windstorms, smoke damage, and other perils your policy may cover, your coverage will pay to repair or replace them.

Loss of Use

Loss of use pays if your home is completely uninhabitable due to damage and destruction from fire, smoke, and heavy winds.

The policy will cover basic living expenses (such as food) and temporary housing costs (such as living in a hotel or motel).

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.

Covered Events

Here are the covered events, also known as “perils” in the renters insurance industry, that are included in a standard renters policy.

• Theft
• Lightning and fire
• Hail and wind
• Smoke
• Vandalism
• Mold
• Water damage caused by leaks
• Ice and snow collapses
• Volcanoes
• Falling object

Do You Need to Purchase Additional Insurance?

If you have high-value possessions or want to be reimbursed for a stolen three-year-old laptop at today’s market value, or if you are a victim of identity theft and now want protection, purchasing endorsements for additional coverage may be right for you.

High-Value Belongings

The standard policy will only cover up to your personal property limit.

The typical standard renters insurance value cap for personal property like jewelry is around $10,000.

So if your pearls are appraised at $15,000, you have to pay the extra out-of-pocket costs, which would be $5,000.

To make sure that your jewelry is insured to its full value, you may want to add a scheduled personal property endorsement.

The endorsement adds more benefits to your basic renters insurance policy, especially when you have an expensive property that exceeds standard policy coverage limits.

The bad part is that the rider will raise your premium.

The good part is that you’ll be fully covered.

Replacement Cost Coverage

Your standard renters insurance covers personal belongings that are damaged or stolen under a covered peril. If your laptop was damaged in a fire, an insurer would offer you “actual cash value.”

So if your laptop is three years old, ACV will only pay for the depreciated value, which probably won’t be enough to buy a new laptop.

But if you add replacement cost coverage, you’ll be able to get reimbursed for your laptop, that’s enough to purchase a brand new one.

Identity Theft Coverage

Some renter insurers offer additional coverage to protect you from identity theft. This may include credit monitoring services, coverage for legal fees, and help to replace your documents.

In addition, renters insurance may cover losses resulting from the theft and fraudulent use of credit cards or forgery of checks.

What is Not Covered in a Standard Policy?

Natural Disasters

Standard renters’ insurance policies do not provide coverage for two natural disasters: earthquakes and floods.

However, some insurers offer these natural disasters as add-ons.

Car Theft or Damage

If your car is damaged or stolen, it will not be covered by your renters policy.

But if you leave valuable belongings inside your car (such as your laptop and iPhone) and someone breaks into it and steals them, these are covered by renters insurance.

Structural Aspects

The structure of your apartment or house isn’t covered by renters insurance. Only your belongings are covered.

It’s the landlord’s insurance that pays for damages to the structure.

Roommate’s Belongings

Your roommate’s personal possessions are not covered under your standard policy.

Roommates have to take out their own renters insurance if they want their belongings to be covered.

Bed Bugs and Pests

Damage due to bed bugs, pests, and rodents is not covered. That’s because they are considered a maintenance issue due mostly to personal negligence.

Pets

If you own a breed of dog that has been deemed to be aggressive by your insurer, you may not be covered. In fact, if that breed causes bodily injuries, many insurers will not pay for medical expenses.

How to Find the Right Renters Insurance?

The easiest way is to get quotes from as many insurers as possible. Then you can compare prices.

The best affordable plan will have a low premium and many ways to contact customer service, such as using a company’s app or speaking to a live agent.

In addition, customer service reps need to be friendly and patient, as good service makes the process of buying a policy transparent and straightforward.

The rep needs to hold your hand throughout the buying process and be able to explain what their company offers in as much detail as possible.

In the end, the best policy for you will also offer the coverage you need and a lot of add-ons that you can purchase to ensure you are fully covered. and convenience, such as how easy or fast it is to buy a policy or make a claim and how much time it takes for the company to reimburse you for your claim.

In short, the cost of your premium is only one factor in your search for a reputable renters insurance company.

Methodology

We thoroughly researched 16 of the state's top renters’ insurance companies and narrowed the list down to those that operated in Georgia.

We rated them on criteria that included ease of use, ratings, financial strength, customer, and affordability.

We surveyed insurance coverage prices in Atlanta, Columbus, Augusta-Richmond County, Macon-Bibb County, and Savannah. Read our full in-depth renters insurance methodology.

How We Ranked and Picked the Best Apartment Renters Insurance Companies in Georgia

We gathered information from multiple trusted sites in renters insurance and the websites of insurance companies and narrowed our search down to the needs of Georgia residents by prioritizing the following:

Customer Satisfaction

We reviewed published consumer ratings and reviews of renters insurance providers.

Many independent renters insurance evaluating sources have published their assessments of renters insurance companies. We considered several of these third-party reviews, but only if they were reputable and vetted. 

Insurers with a good number of quality consumer ratings and reviews were included in our list.

Price

Renters insurance is usually cheaper than homeowners insurance because there is less to insure. A landlord shares the risks of the property, leaving less liability on the renter than a homeowner would typically face.

So, we looked at insurance companies that had low premiums.

But on occasion, we considered policies with higher premiums or premiums higher than the state average.

We found that you should not avoid a company with a high cost. If the company had several discounts that could significantly lower its premium and, in so doing, come down to the prices that affordable insurers offered, we put that company on our list.

Discounts

Discounts can lower your premium significantly. We looked at how many discounts insurers had. The more they had, the better your cost.

Technology

An insurer with its own website and app makes the process of buying a policy or making a claim easier. Using technology helps you save time, as you can pay your bill, for example, at any time you want. So, we made sure that each company we looked at had a website and app that was easy to navigate and where you could find important documents about your policy without difficulty.

Coverage

A standard renters policy does not have enough coverage to make it comprehensive.

So, we looked at the various coverages that you had to add to your policy at a cost to ensure your personal belongings were covered.

For example, damaging your belongings due to a flood is not standard. You need to buy separate flood insurance coverage to protect your belongings fully.

Additional coverage like flood insurance increases your premium, but if you look at where you live and see that your unit is in a flood zone, the added expense is necessary and can give you peace of mind.