Renter’s insurance should never be considered an option or a luxury, just a simple fact of life if you’re a renter. The following are good reasons to buy renter’s insurance, but you shouldn’t even need convincing, it’s such a simple choice.

It’s Cheap

Renter’s insurance is really very inexpensive, for just a couple hundred (way less than your car insurance) you’ve protected all of your property from potential damage or complete loss. Over the course of the year this is really a negligible cost for the peace of mind you’ll receive.

It’s Not Just You

In most situations, renters share property with other people, people who may not be as responsible or diligent as you are and they can cause damage to your property, it’s totally out of your control. But on the other side of that argument, you may be the one who causes damage to someone else’s property (imagine a fire that’s your fault) and you’re suddenly responsible for all of their damaged items. Renters insurance protects you from this expense.

It’s Your Money

You may falsely assume that any damage to property, be it yours or someone else’s, or injury to someone will be your landlord’s responsibility. This is simply wrong in most cases. If the damage or injury happens on your rental property or due to your negligence you’re the one who will be held responsible and have to pay.

Protect the majority of your assets by spending a little on renter’s insurance. It really is one of the most important investments you can make.

Moving into your first apartment is a very exciting experience, but it also can be a bit nerve wracking as well. Use the following tips to make the transition go a little more smoothly and so you know what to expect.

Rent What You Can Afford

Experts suggest you rent a place that is no more than 25-30% of your monthly income. For first time renters though, you actually should try to go a little bit lower and stay in the 20-25% range. The reason for this is there are certain things you???ll need to set up your new home that you don???t have and some of these items can be very expensive, like furniture. So by keeping the monthly rental fee lower you can purchase all of those things that make an apartment home.

Read the Lease

Sure, you???ve seen the People???s Court, you know how important it is to read and understand contracts before you sign them, but you???d be shocked at how many people still don???t bother. Take the time to read the contract thoroughly so there are no surprises in the future.

Be Respectful

For some first time renters the lure is the idea of being able to party all the time but this is simply not the case in most rental units, and do you really want to live somewhere where this is the policy? Be respectful of your neighbors and in turn they???re more likely to be respectful of you. This doesn???t mean you can never have a party just be reasonable in the time, frequency, the number of guests and the volume level.

Basically, you need to be a good renter to have a good experience in your first apartment. Respect yourself, your neighbors, your landlord and your pocketbook and you???ll be thrilled with your first foray into the renting world.

It???s no surprise that the vast majority of renters say that the crime statistics in a neighborhood weighs on their decision of whether to rent or not. People simply want to be safe and there are certain things you can do to hedge your bets and make your home a little safer.

Lock Up

If your home doesn???t have deadbolts, get them immediately. If you have to, petition your landlord, even if you have to foot the bill, deadbolts are a great way to add a little protection to your home. Along the same lines, use your locks all the time, even when you???re inside your home in the middle of the day. Being extra cautious can???t hurt.

Make Shift Locks

In addition to having the proper locks on your doors, add wooden rods to sliding doors and windows, specialty pins can be inserted into the wooden frames of windows and sliding doors as well so people cannot lift them off of their tracks and gain access. And there are now door jambs for traditional door knobs as well that work with the same concept as a wooden rod in a door track.

Look for Lighting

Take a nighttime walk and see if there are places to hide in the shadows. If there are do what you can to brighten the area or eliminate the hiding spot. Do this seasonally as bushes are great camouflage in the spring and summer months.

Know Your Neighbors

Get to know the people who live next to you, its remarkable how people will ignore the screams of another if they don???t know the person, but when an acquaintance or even friend cries for help the reaction is immediate. In fact, your neighbors may be diligent enough to notice people lurking around before it escalates into a criminal act.

Be as diligent as possible to keep yourself, your neighbors and your neighborhood safe and free of crime and everyone???s living experience will be better.

One misconception that has led to a lot of landlords not allowing pets on their property is that landlords are responsible if the pet injures someone. This simply is not true, the liability lies with the pet owner.

Even if your pet has never so much as given anyone the evil eye, its best to protect yourself if you???re renting. Some people just rub animals the wrong way, much as they do people, and your friendly pet may take offense and lash out at this person. Suddenly you???ve got a dangerous pet and a possible lawsuit looming. To protect yourself, get renter???s insurance and be sure to let your insurance provider know that you???ve got pets.

Each insurance policy varies, but look for one that at least gives the person fouled by your pet $500 in medical expenses (look for more if you can because if plastic surgery is involved it can get very expensive), $500 in property damage, and at least $300,000 in liability coverage.

And this isn???t just for people with man???s best friend as a pet, although dogs are most often the culprit in animal bite cases, they???re far from the only ones ever to offend. No matter what sort of pet you have, you need to protect yourself from potential lawsuits. It???s something every responsible pet owner should do.