If you are new to renting, or if you have ever lost any possessions in a fire, you may want to learn about renter’s insurance. Renter’s insurance is a type of insurance you can get that covers things like fire, and sometimes theft. Every brand of renter’s insurance is different, so be sure to read the individual policy before you sign. Also, prices can vary wildly from policy to policy and from state to state, so be sure you shop around to find the best deal. Here are a few shopping tips.

Harness the power of the Internet

Without a doubt, the greatest tool in insurance shopping is the Internet. While there aren’t any sites yet that can compare your rates with other brands like that one car insurance company, you can easily piece together the coverage you want and then get an estimate right from the comfort of your own home. One thing you need to watch for, however, is the fact that many policies are not transferable from state to state, so if you’ve just moved to a new state, contact your renter’s insurance company right away. Since laws are different in different states, there may be aspects of your current policy that don’t apply where you live now.

Read the fine print

Renter’s insurance policies are notoriously complicated. They cover one thing, but not under certain circumstances. If you want to make a theft claim, for instance, you may have to have photographs of that item to prove that it was yours or the policy may not pay out. Be sure to read every word of your policy so that you aren’t greeted with any surprises should something go wrong. Renter’s insurance can be a real life saver but like most kinds of insurance, it pays to read your policy first.