Renters Insurance Calculator: Estimate Monthly Cost and Coverage
Estimate a likely U.S. renters insurance premium and calculate how much personal-property coverage your belongings may need. The cost model uses state and coverage-band HO-4 benchmarks; tenant insurance and contents insurance are related terms used in other markets.
U.S. state-level resolution · NAIC 2022 policy data released May 2025 · Page updated July 17, 2026 · Private, in-browser calculation
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Your estimate
Estimated monthly premium
$16.76
Planning estimate after clearly labeled illustrative adjustments
Estimated annual premium$201
Data reference span$15.24–$15.42/monthNational coverage-band average to state-adjusted benchmark; not a quote interval.
State HO-4 average$169/yearAll reported coverage amounts combined.
Suggested property limit$25,000Inventory total rounded up to the next $5,000.
Items to review for sublimits$5,500Electronics, bicycles, jewellery, and instruments.
A rounded limit is a shopping starting point, not a guarantee that every category is fully covered. Check special limits and consider scheduling high-value items.
Save up to three configurations. Savings are measured against the highest-cost saved scenario.
Scenario
State
Property
Liability
Deductible
Bundle
Monthly
Annual
Annual savings
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Renters insurance cost benchmarks
These representative state estimates apply the published NAIC $30,000–$34,999 countrywide HO-4 average ($185) to each state's overall HO-4 average. The displayed shopping profile holds $100,000 liability, a $500 deductible, actual-cash-value settlement, no claims, and no bundle adjustment.
Location
Monthly
Annual
Property
Liability
Deductible
Source period
Updated
North Dakota
$11.09
$133
$30,000
$100,000
$500
NAIC 2022
Jul. 17, 2026
California
$15.24
$183
$30,000
$100,000
$500
NAIC 2022
Jul. 17, 2026
Florida
$16.32
$196
$30,000
$100,000
$500
NAIC 2022
Jul. 17, 2026
Texas
$17.94
$215
$30,000
$100,000
$500
NAIC 2022
Jul. 17, 2026
Mississippi
$23.62
$283
$30,000
$100,000
$500
NAIC 2022
Jul. 17, 2026
Actual quotes differ because these are state-level aggregate benchmarks, not identical policies or ZIP-code prices. Insurers use their own territory, coverage, underwriting, discounts, fees, and eligibility rules.
Methodology and data sources
Author: Starlight Tools Editorial TeamInsurance review: Not independently reviewed by a licensed insurance professionalReviewed/updated: July 17, 2026
Source, period, and geography
The data-backed calculation uses the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' 2022 Homeowners Insurance Report, released May 21, 2025. It includes aggregate written premium and house-year exposure for HO-4 tenant policies in every state and the District of Columbia. The national HO-4 average was $171 annually. California and Texas supplied data to the NAIC directly; statistical agents supplied the other jurisdictions. We check for a newer NAIC report during an annual editorial review.
Baseline profile and included coverage
HO-4 is a package policy for tenants. The NAIC describes it as coverage for a tenant's personal property, additional living expense, personal liability, and medical payments, with no coverage for the building. Aggregate data do not standardize deductible, liability limit, settlement basis, loss-of-use limit, claims history, or discounts. The calculator therefore treats the $500 deductible, $100,000 liability, actual cash value, 20% loss-of-use, no-claim, no-bundle profile as a neutral comparison baseline—not as a claim about the average policy.
Published lookup process
Data-backed annual benchmark = selected state's 2022 HO-4 average × (countrywide 2022 HO-4 average for the selected amount-of-insurance band ÷ $171 countrywide HO-4 average)
For example, California's state average is $169 and the countrywide average for $30,000–$34,999 of insurance is $185: $169 × ($185 ÷ $171) = $182.84 per year. This combines actual geographic and coverage-band benchmarks; it does not claim that the source tracked an identical policy in both dimensions.
Countrywide HO-4 coverage-band lookup
Amount of insurance
Average annual premium
Amount of insurance
Average annual premium
Under $10,000
$109
$40,000–$49,999
$201
$10,000–$14,999
$135
$50,000–$59,999
$207
$15,000–$19,999
$143
$60,000–$69,999
$231
$20,000–$24,999
$154
$70,000–$79,999
$270
$25,000–$29,999
$166
$80,000–$99,999
$283
$30,000–$34,999
$185
$100,000–$124,999
$353
$35,000–$39,999
$176
$125,000–$199,999
$414
$200,000 or more
$769
All HO-4 limits
$171
Illustrative shopping adjustments
The result separately applies reproducible editorial assumptions where the public data are not segmented: liability +3% at $300,000 or +6% at $500,000; deductible +10% at $250, −10% at $1,000, −18% at $2,500, or a linear interpolation capped between +15% and −25% for a custom amount; replacement cost +10%; loss-of-use +2% at 30% or +4% at 40%; claims +20% each, capped at three; bundle −10%. A known endorsement dollar cost is then added, followed by any user-entered assessment. These adjustments are for comparing choices, not observed NAIC factors or predictions of an insurer's rating plan.
Range and limitations
The displayed data reference span runs from the national average for the selected coverage band to the state-adjusted coverage benchmark. It is not a confidence interval. The model cannot use ZIP code, insurer, construction, protection class, local loss costs, credit-based insurance score, exact coverage form, fees, or eligibility. Get multiple quotes and compare policy language, not price alone.
Inputs: California, $20,000 property, $100,000 liability, $500 deductible, actual cash value, no claims or bundle. Arithmetic: $169 × ($154 ÷ $171) = $152.20 annually, or $12.68 monthly. A sample inventory of $18,600 rounds up to a recommended $20,000 property limit. The coverage band lowers the result from California's all-limit state average.
Texas renter with expensive electronics
Inputs: Texas, $50,000 property, $300,000 liability, $500 deductible, replacement cost, 30% loss of use, no claims or bundle. Arithmetic: data benchmark $199 × ($207 ÷ $171) = $240.89; illustrative changes ×1.03 liability ×1.10 replacement cost ×1.02 loss of use = $278.39 annually, or $23.20 monthly. A $46,200 inventory rounds up to $50,000; electronics and jewellery should be checked against sublimits.
Comparing $500 and $1,000 deductibles in Florida
Inputs: Florida, $30,000 property, $100,000 liability, actual cash value, no claims or bundle. $500 arithmetic: $181 × ($185 ÷ $171) = $195.82 annually, or $16.32 monthly. $1,000 arithmetic: $195.82 × 0.90 = $176.24 annually, or $14.69 monthly. The illustrative deductible assumption produces $19.58 annual savings; an actual quote may change by a different amount.
Practical renters insurance guide
What it commonly covers
An HO-4 policy generally combines personal property, personal liability, medical payments to others, and additional living expense after a covered loss. The landlord insures the building, not your belongings.
Common exclusions
Standard policies generally exclude flood from rising surface water and usually exclude earthquake. Wear, neglect, intentional loss, pests, and business property may also be excluded or limited. Read the actual contract.
How much coverage is needed
Build a home inventory by room or category using replacement prices. Include clothing, kitchenware, small appliances, furniture, and items in storage. Round the total up to an available policy limit and revisit it after major purchases.
Replacement cost vs. actual cash value
Replacement cost generally pays without a deduction for depreciation, subject to limits and settlement conditions. Actual cash value subtracts age and wear. A cheaper ACV policy can leave a larger gap after a loss.
How deductibles affect price
Choosing a higher property deductible generally lowers premium, but raises the amount you pay on a covered property claim. Compare the annual savings with the extra amount you would need in emergency savings.
Ways to lower premiums
Compare several insurers, test higher deductibles, ask about bundling and protective-device discounts, keep claims information accurate, and update the inventory so you do not buy an arbitrary limit. Compare exclusions and settlement terms as well as price.
Frequently asked questions
How much is renters insurance per month?
The NAIC reported a 2022 U.S. average HO-4 premium of $171 per year, or about $14.25 per month. State averages ranged from $123 in North Dakota to $262 in Mississippi. Your quote may differ because coverage, deductible, address, claims, credit-based insurance score where permitted, building details, and insurer all matter.
How much personal-property coverage do I need?
Add the current replacement cost of everything you would need to replace after a covered total loss, then select a policy limit at least as high as that inventory. Review category sublimits for jewellery, bicycles, instruments, electronics, collectibles, and other valuables.
Can a landlord require renters insurance?
Often, yes, when the lease and state law allow it. A landlord may require proof of coverage and a liability limit, but the landlord's policy does not insure a tenant's belongings. Check the lease and local rules.
Is $100,000 of liability coverage enough?
$100,000 is a common starting limit, not a universal recommendation. Consider the value of assets and income you want to protect, risks such as pets, and any landlord requirement. Compare $300,000 and $500,000 quotes because higher limits may be relatively inexpensive.
Does renters insurance cover roommates?
Usually not automatically unless a roommate is a named insured or qualifies under the policy definition of an insured. Unrelated roommates commonly need separate policies. Ask the insurer before assuming belongings or liability are shared.
Does renters insurance cover pets?
Personal liability may cover some injuries or property damage caused by a pet, subject to exclusions, breed or animal restrictions, and the policy limit. It does not normally pay routine veterinary bills or damage a pet causes to your own property.
How does the deductible affect renters insurance cost?
A higher deductible generally lowers the premium because you retain more of each covered property loss. Choose an amount you could comfortably pay on short notice. Liability claims generally do not use the personal-property deductible, but policy terms vary.
What is the difference between replacement cost and actual cash value?
Replacement-cost coverage pays the cost to replace covered property with new property of similar kind and quality, subject to policy terms and limits. Actual cash value subtracts depreciation for age and wear, so a claim payment may be lower.
Are jewellery and other valuables fully covered?
Not always. Policies often apply special limits to theft or loss of jewellery, watches, bicycles, instruments, firearms, cash, and collectibles. Inventory high-value items and ask about scheduled-property coverage or endorsements.
Does renters insurance cover flood or earthquake damage?
Standard renters policies generally exclude flooding from rising surface water and usually exclude earthquake damage. Separate flood or earthquake coverage may be available. A sudden covered plumbing loss is different from a flood, so read the policy definitions.
What is loss-of-use or additional-living-expense coverage?
It can pay covered increases in living costs, such as temporary lodging and extra meal expenses, when a covered loss makes the rental uninhabitable. Limits may be a dollar amount, a percentage of personal-property coverage, or a time period.
Is this an official insurance quote?
No. The data-backed portion is a state and coverage-band benchmark from aggregate 2022 NAIC HO-4 experience. The clearly labeled shopping adjustments are editorial assumptions. Only an insurer or licensed producer can provide a quote for your address and profile.
Why might my actual premium differ?
The source data are state averages, not ZIP-code rates, and combine many insurers and policy designs. An insurer may use precise territory, construction, protection class, claims, coverage details, discounts, credit-based insurance score where permitted, fees, and eligibility rules.
Do you store my data?
No. Inputs, inventory totals, and saved comparisons remain in this browser tab. The calculator does not upload or save them to a server.
