By Jon Merwin, Founder and CEO
Most of what we do is homeowners insurance, and we insure many Manchester homeowners, landlords and condo owners. Renters are part of the same picture. If you rent an apartment downtown, a unit in a West Side triple-decker, a Millyard loft or a house, your landlord’s policy covers the building, not your belongings or your liability. Renters insurance covers those.
Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance is an independent agency. We compare 40+ carriers and charge no fees of any kind. We are New Hampshire’s highest-rated agency on Google, with 1,000+ Google reviews and over 2,000 testimonials. We work with Manchester renters by phone, email and online from our Portsmouth, NH office; call (603) 431-4020. For homeowners, see Manchester, NH homeowners insurance.
What renters insurance covers
- Personal property: furniture, clothing, electronics, bikes and other belongings, at home and often away from home
- Loss of use: extra living costs if a covered loss forces you out while repairs are made
- Personal liability: if someone is hurt in your apartment or you accidentally damage someone else’s property, including a neighbor’s unit
- Medical payments to others for minor injuries to guests
Why it matters in a Manchester apartment
Stacked units and shared buildings
In a triple-decker or apartment building, a fire or a leak in one unit can reach the others. If water from your overflowing tub damages the apartment below, your liability coverage can respond. If a neighbor’s fire damages your belongings, your personal property coverage helps you replace them.
Winter in older buildings
Frozen pipes and ice dams are common New Hampshire winter claims, and older buildings can be especially prone to them. Your landlord’s policy repairs the building; your renters policy covers your damaged belongings and can help with a place to stay.
Theft and belongings on the go
Many renters policies cover your belongings away from home, such as a laptop stolen from your car or a bike taken from a shared hallway, subject to the deductible and policy terms.
Things to ask about
- Replacement cost vs. actual cash value on your belongings. Replacement cost pays to buy new; actual cash value subtracts depreciation.
- Scheduled items for jewelry, cameras or instruments that exceed standard limits.
- Water backup, usually excluded unless added.
- Flood, which renters policies exclude. If your building is on low ground near the Merrimack or Piscataquog, you can buy an NFIP contents-only policy, which we write through Selective. See flood insurance.
- Your landlord’s requirements, such as a minimum liability limit or being listed as an interested party.
Carriers for Manchester renters
We shop renters coverage across the carriers we work with. Progressive Home is one of them, and we use Progressive Home for renters policies only. Bundling renters with auto insurance is common; see our auto and renters bundle guide.
Moving from renting to owning
When you are ready to buy, whether it is a condo or a multi-family where you live in one unit and rent the others, we can move you from renters to homeowners coverage. See condo insurance in Manchester and Manchester multi-family insurance. Our homeowners vs. renters guide explains the differences, and our main renters insurance page covers the basics.
Common renters insurance mistakes
- Assuming the landlord’s policy covers your belongings
- Choosing a personal property limit far below what your things would cost to replace
- Skipping replacement cost coverage on belongings
- Not scheduling an engagement ring, camera or instrument that exceeds the standard limits
- Forgetting to update the address after a move
A quick review when you sign a lease, and again when you move or buy something valuable, avoids most of these.
How much coverage do you need?
Start by adding up what it would cost to replace your belongings: furniture, clothing, kitchen items, electronics and anything you would buy again after a fire. Most people underestimate this. Then pick a liability limit; many landlords set a minimum in the lease, and higher limits are worth considering if you have savings to protect. Choose a deductible you could pay comfortably after a loss.
How a Manchester renters quote works
- Tell us where you live, the address and unit, and the type of building, such as a triple-decker, apartment complex or condo.
- Tell us about your belongings and any high-value items, such as jewelry, cameras or instruments.
- Share your lease requirements, such as a minimum liability limit or listing the landlord as an interested party.
- We compare carriers and can quote auto at the same time if you want to bundle.
Students and young professionals renting near downtown, roommates sharing a unit and families renting a house all have slightly different needs. Roommates, for example, often each need their own policy, because many carriers cover only the named insured and their household. Tell us who lives in the unit and we will set it up correctly.
We can send proof of insurance to your landlord once the policy is bound. When you move, call us to update the address so your coverage follows you.
Get a quote
Tell us about the property and we will compare carriers and follow up with options. Prefer to talk? Call (603) 431-4020.
Frequently asked questions
Is renters insurance required in Manchester, NH?
State law does not require it, but many landlords require it in the lease.
Does my landlord’s insurance cover my belongings?
No. The landlord’s policy covers the building. Your renters policy covers your belongings and your liability.
If water from my apartment damages the unit below, am I covered?
Your renters liability coverage can respond if you are responsible, subject to the policy terms.
Does renters insurance cover flood?
No. You can buy an NFIP contents-only flood policy, which we write through Selective.
Can I bundle renters with auto?
Yes. Many renters bundle with auto, and we can quote both together.
Do you charge fees?
No. We do not charge any fees on any policy we write, including renters insurance.