Best renters insurance in San Diego according to customers


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UPDATED: 2022-09-01T05:05:04.363Z
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Are you looking for the best renters insurance in San Diego? There are many options out there to choose from, but you want to make sure you find the best option for the best price. As a renter in San Diego, you need renters insurance to cover your belongings from perils like fire or theft because your landlord's policy only covers the building you're living in. Additionally, renters insurance will provide you with important liability protection in case someone is injured in your apartment.

It is important to know as much as you can about your renter's insurance company before taking out a policy with them. Talking to a local, experienced insurance agent can help answer any questions you may have. Some questions to consider asking include, "What is the average cost for your renter's insurance coverage?" "Does my policy cover things such as water damage and bodily injury?" and "What are my coverage options and my coverage limit?"

To help your search for San Diego renters insurance, you can find the top 10 best renters insurance companies in San Diego and rates for seven of those companies below.

On this page you’ll find:

What are your coverage options on a renters insurance policy?

Just like any other policy, you can usually customize your renters insurance coverage to get exactly what you need. A standard renters insurance policy usually contains some form of the following types of coverage:

  • Personal property coverage – This coverage pays the replacement cost for the personal items you keep in your apartment should they be damaged or destroyed.

  • Personal liability coverage – Liability protection pays for medical expenses if someone is injured in your apartment.

  • Loss of use coverage – Loss of use pays for your hotel and food expenditures when you are unable to stay in your apartment because of damages. This may also be called additional living expenses coverage.

Beyond these basic coverage options, you may also be able to purchase identity theft protection, guest medical payments coverage, and more additional coverage.

If you keep valuable items, like jewelry, sports equipment, or musical instruments in your apartment, you may also wish to raise your personal property coverage limits.

People who live in high-risk areas prone to flood or earthquake damage may need to purchase a special rider on their policy for those perils to be covered.

Extra coverage and riders will usually raise your renters insurance premium, but it's important to have all the protection you need.

Who are the best renters insurance companies in San Diego?

The table below gives you a look at the 10 best renters insurance companies in San Diego. The ranking is based on customer reviews submitted to Clearsurance as of October 2019, taking into consideration customer's thoughts on how the company performs and their likelihood to renew their policy or recommend the company to a friend. In order for companies to be eligible for this list, they must have at least 25 renters insurance reviews and sell insurance in California.

Ranking Best San Diego renters insurance # of reviews Company rating
1 Lemonade 361 4.78
2 USAA* 407 4.77
3 Geico 745 4.21
4 State Farm 1,398 4.21
5 Allstate 832 4.13
6 Farmers Insurance Group 206 4.12
7 Liberty Mutual 225 4.07
8 Travelers 101 4.03
9 Nationwide 166 3.93
10 Assurant 97 3.79

*USAA renters insurance is only available to active and former military members and their families. More info: USAA eligibility

1. Lemonade

Lemonade offers renters insurance in San Diego with a modern twist. It focuses on providing quick service by utilizing technology. If you need to make a claim, you can do so on the mobile app, and Lemonade will pay it in just minutes. Lemonade Insurance is among the highest-ranking renters insurance companies on Clearsurance with a rating of 4.78 stars out of 5.

2. USAA

USAA is a popular insurance company among consumers, but it's only offered to active and former military members and their families. USAA is highly rated for its customer service and low prices, making it the top option for military families looking for San Diego renters insurance. A unique aspect of renters insurance with USAA is that flood and earthquake coverage comes standard on its renter's insurance policies. With most other companies, those options need to be added on for additional cost per month. Having these additional coverages can be especially nice for renters in San Diego.

3. Geico

If you have car insurance with Geico, you can bundle policies with renters insurance to earn a discounted rate. Geico is unique when it comes to renters and homeowners insurance because it offers these insurance lines through the Geico Insurance Agency, which provides coverage through multiple other licenced insurance companies. If you’re looking for a quote from the Geico Insurance Agency, you can get one from Geico's website, but make sure you take note of which company your quote is for.

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4. State Farm

State Farm is one of the largest renters insurance companies. It's a popular option for people renting an apartment in San Diego. State Farm is highly rated by consumers and holds the No. 2 spot for best renters insurance companies for 2019.

5. Allstate

Another popular option for renters insurance in San Diego is Allstate. If you get renters insurance from Allstate, make sure to check for discounts that can help you save money on your policy. If you've been claims-free when you switch to Allstate renters insurance, you can earn a discount. Consumers across the United States rate Allstate highly. It earned the No. 4-spot for the best renters insurance companies for 2019.

6. Farmers

Farmers Insurance is No. 6 on the highest-ranking renter's insurance companies for San Diego renters. It's a reputable company that offers ways to help you save on a policy. Farmers is one of the best renters insurance companies for San Diego, making it an option you should consider when shopping for a policy.

7. Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual holds the No. 7 spot for the best renters insurance companies for people renting an apartment in San Diego. It earned a score of 4.07 out of 5.

8. Travelers

Another good option for renters insurance in San Diego is Travelers. Although it's a highly rated renters insurance company, Travelers didn't make our list of best renters insurance for 2019 because it didn't have enough reviews. Travelers rank in the top 10 highest-rated renters insurance companies in 41 states, including California.

9. Nationwide

If you're looking for a policy you can customize with additional coverage on things you need like water backup or earthquake coverage, Nationwide is a good option. Nationwide earned a score of 3.93 out of 5 stars, ranking it No. 9 for renters insurance in San Diego.

10. Assurant

No. 10 on our list of best renters insurance companies for San Diego is Assurant. You can purchase an Assurant policy on its website in just a few minutes. Assurant earned a score of 3.79 out of 5.

How much does renters insurance cost in San Diego?

Out of the top-rated renter insurance companies in San Diego, the cost of renters insurance averages about $14 per month. While there are many factors that determine how much renters insurance in San Diego costs, such as your apartment and the coverage limits you select, the price can vary by company. Among these 10 best renters insurance companies, Lemonade offers the cheapest renters insurance in San Diego on average.

Insurance company Monthly cost with a $500 deductible
Lemonade $8.84
State Farm $11.17
Farmers Insurance Group $12.49
Allstate $13.00
Nationwide $13.37
Assurant $16.59
Travelers $19.00
Geico* $20.42

To retrieve these quotes, we used a profile of a 25-year-old single male renting an apartment in San Diego with no roommates or pets with a policy beginning in May 2019. The policies include $20,000 in personal property coverage ($30,000 for Travelers because that is the minimum required by the company), $100,000 in personal liability, and $1,000 in medical payments to others. The policies have a $500 deductible. Your rates may vary depending on your characteristics and coverage. We were unable to retrieve quotes from USAA and Liberty Mutual.

*Geico sells renters insurance through other licensed insurance companies. The Geico quote listed is for coverage from Assurant Group.

How much does rent cost in San Diego

Rent in San Diego costs $2,236 per month, on average. Though rent in San Diego is much more affordable than rent in San Francisco, it’s still on the pricey side. San Diego is the second largest city in California by population with more than 1.4 million people.

The cost of rent in San Diego varies by where in the city you rent. For example, it costs an average of $2,893 a month to live in the area of Caramel Valley while it costs an average of $900 per month in the areas of Valencia Park and Broadway Heights.

Some landlords will collect rent and manage the property on their own, or they may hire a San Diego property management company.

Renters insurance is an important expense for San Diego residents to consider. It’s generally considered affordable and you can even get a policy for less than $10 a month. For the most up-to-date ranking of the highest-rated renter's insurance companies in the area, visit our best California renters insurance page.

How can you save money on your renters insurance?

If you bundle your auto policy with a homeowners insurance policy or renters policy with the same company, you will usually receive a multi-policy discount (this might also be available for bundling any additional policies, such as a life insurance policy or boat insurance policy). Some companies also offer discounts for protective devices in your apartment, such as smoke detectors or security systems, or for setting up automatic payments.

Additional insurance discounts may be available, so make sure to ask renters insurance providers about your options when you're shopping around for quotes. If you're looking for the most affordable renters insurance, get quotes from at least three companies before making a decision.

You can get online quotes from multiple companies easily by entering your ZIP code in the box below. Don't choose the cheapest company right away. Find the company that offers the renters coverage you need at a price you can afford.

Best Renters Insurance in San Diego: What's the bottom line?

  • USAA: Best renters insurance for military members in San Diego
  • Lemonade: Best renters insurance in San Diego
  • Lemonade: Cheapest renters insurance rates in San Diego

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It is important to know all that you can before taking out a renters insurance policy. Learn about the insurance company and the protection that their policies offer before making a final decision. Know and understand your policy limits and ask about what additional coverages you can add to your protection.

While we all want the most affordable renters’ insurance, it is important not to sacrifice the quality of your protection just to save some money. Talk to a local insurance agent about what insurance company is right for you, and what coverages they offer.


Image source: Sean Pavone/ shutterstock.com

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