What if you came home from work only to find your apartment had been totally trashed by a burglar? Or what if you walked into your living room and found yourself standing in a 3 inch flood of water? Well, if you think it's not a major problem because your landlord will foot the bill, YOU'RE WRONG.

Your landlord's insurance does NOT cover your personal property. Things like your clothes, stereo, furniture, television, bicycle, jewelry, personal computer, artwork and other items are not covered by your landlord's insurance against destruction or loss. As sorry as your landlord may be about the 3 inches of water in your living room or your stolen stereo, you're the one who'll have to buy a new couch and stereo system not him.

But renters insurance covers your stuff and:

• protects you against losses from fire or smoke, lightning, vandalism, theft, explosion, windstorm, and water damage from plumbing. 
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covers your responsibility to other people injured at your home or elsewhere by you, a family member or your pet and includes legal defense costs if you are taken to court.