Does the property owner's insurance cover me?

The property owner's insurance generally covers only the building where you live. There is no coverage for your personal belongings or any liability coverage in the event you are negligent and legally responsible for causing bodily injury or damage to someone else's property.

What if I don't own very much?

Most people's belongings are often worth more than they think. That's one reason why you need renters insurance. The question you should ask yourself is, "How much would it cost to replace everything I own?" Click here to download a free Personal Inventory List.

Why do I need liability insurance?

You could be held responsible if damage occurs to someone else's property or for injury to another person due to your negligence. For example, if someone is hurt while in the apartment you rent, you may be responsible for that person's medical expenses. Personal Liability coverage up to $100,000 is included in all Personal Property policies. If you would like to expand the amount of Personal Liability coverage up to $300,000 that option can be purchased for an additional annual fee. There are no deductibles for Personal Liability coverage.

Who is the insurance provider?

MyRenterPolicy is available exclusively through iMAG Resident Insurance Center. iMAG is a full service Resident Insurance Center designed to service the residents of pre-approved multifamily communities.

Personal Property Insurance and Personal Liability Insurance policies are underwritten by Deans & Homer for QBE Insurance Corporation and Delos Insurance. This company has a Best's Rating of "A" (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company, an organization that rates insurance companies, based on financial strength and operating performance. As our customer, you can expect quality insurance products, prompt service and timely processing of claims.

What are customer service hours on the toll-free number?

Customer Service is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time.) Please call 800.548.1616. You may also email Deans & Homer at admin@insureyourstuff.com. Please include the insured's name, address and policy number in your request as well as your contact information.

How can I sign up?

Simply click on the Sign Up Today button.

When does my insurance go into effect?

Your policy coverage begins at 12:01 a.m. Pacific time on the business day following the date you sign up online, the date you fax in the completed Insurance Election Form or the postmark date if you return the Insurance Election Form by U.S. Mail.

When will I receive my policy?

If you enroll for a policy on line, you will automatically receive a Confirmation Letter via email if you provided an active email address. Your policy will be mailed out within 2 weeks from the time you submit your completed application and the premium payment to Deans & Homer. If you do not receive your policy within 15 days, please call Deans & Homer at 800.548.1616.

What documents can I receive electronically?

At this time, the only documents you can receive electronically are a New Policy confirmation Letter which is automated if you provide an active email address when you signed up for a policy on the website. You will also receive your password and log in information via email to the website www.insureyourstuff.com. A hard copy of your policy will be mailed to the insured address.

What are my payment options?

You can pay your premiums by choosing one annual payment or spread your premium over 3, 6 or 12 months. Monthly premiums are available only when paying with automatic debit from a credit or debit card, or from a checking account. Paper billing is available for an additional $2.50 per bill for quarterly and semi-annual options. There is no billing fee for an annual paper bill option.

When is my first payment due and how does the billing work?

In order to make sure that there is enough premium to support your policy and prevent a lapse in coverage, we collect the first month's premium when you submit your initial application. About two weeks later you are billed for the second month's premium. After that, you will be billed at regular monthly intervals.

(Example: If you applied for your policy on May 5th you would be billed immediately for the first monthly installment. Approximately two weeks later on May 18th you would be billed for your second monthly installment. And after that you would be billed on the 18th of each month as long as you keep your policy in force).

What is covered under MyRenterPolicy?

Direct losses that cause actual, physical damage to your property will be considered. Your policy will not cover damage due to wear and tear or deterioration, or damage that occurs over a period of time (such as dry rot). Normally policies also exclude claims for specific catastrophe-caused loss, such as earthquake or flood. California residents can purchase an additional Earthquake policy to cover their personal property from earthquake damage for an additional $99 per year. This coverage is limited to Personal Property coverage up to $5,000 with a $750 deductible.

Who is covered under MyRenterPolicy?

Coverage is available to everyone listed on the lease regardless if they are related or not. Children 18 years or younger living with a parent are automatically covered on their parent’s policy. You may want to consider increasing the personal property limit since the policy will be shared collectively.

To add a roommate, you can log in to your policy at www.insureyourstuff.com to make a change, or in writing to Deans & Homer: 340 Pine Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104 or fax your written request to 800.789.0464. You may also email Deans & Homer at admin@insureyourstuff.com. Please include the insured’s name, address and policy number in your request. All individuals named on a policy will be named on any claim payments or policy refunds.

Is my automobile covered?

While damage to your car is not covered, renters insurance coverage will protect your removable items from your automobile should your car be broken into and personal property stolen. Your automobile insurance carrier would cover physical damage to your car. Please refer to the policy for details and restrictions.

Does MyRenterPolicy cover my pets?

Renter’s Insurance does not provide coverage for injury or death of any pets or animals.

MyRenterPolicy Personal Liability coverage could protect you should your dog bite a human being, and pay for medical costs to the injured party up to $1,000, and provide court representation should you be sued for damages. Please refer to your policy for coverage limitations and exclusions.

How do I amend or modify coverage?

Coverage can be modified by going to the website www.insureyourstuff.com and logging into your account, or email your request to admin@insureyourstuff.com or mail your request to Deans & Homer: 340 Pine Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104 or Fax your request to 800.789.0464. Be sure to include your name, address, policy number, and include your contact information and the type of modification you wish to make.

How do I cancel coverage and is there a term?

You may cancel your policy at any time and are entitled to a refund of any un-earned premiums. Please make sure to confirm your mailing address should you be moving to a new location. You should check your lease to see if there are any provisions your landlord might have for you to maintain current renter's insurance coverage. To cancel your policy, submit your request in writing with the requested policy end date to Deans & Homer, or fax your request to 800.789.0464. You may also email your request to admin@insureyourstuff.com. Be sure to include your name, address, policy number and the date of cancellation.

What happens to my coverage if I move?

It is your responsibility to cancel your policy should you move from your apartment community. Please call our Customer Service Department to see if you new apartment community is preapproved through Deans & Homer at 800.548.1616. If not, your policy will remain in effect for 30 days after your move date and coverage is reduced to $5,000 or 20% of your Personal Property limit, whichever is more.

If you move to a community that is not pre-approved, please call iMAG Resident Insurance Center at 866.994.4624 and we can see about getting your new location signed up for MyRenterPolicy coverage.

In the event of a large rain storm or heavy winds, does my property policy cover water, wind or hail damage?

This policy covers water damage to your personal property contained in a building only if the direct force of wind or hail damages the building, causing an opening in a roof or wall, and the rain, snow or sleet enters through this opening.

What is Loss of Use Coverage or Additional Living Expenses?

If you incur a loss by a covered peril which makes the residence premises not fit to live in and it has been declared uninhabitable by a government agency (i.e. fire department, police, FEMA), this policy covers Additional Living Expenses, meaning any necessary increase in living expenses incurred by you so that your household can maintain its normal standard of living.

What is a moratorium?

A moratorium is a waiting period set by the insurance provider. During this period of time certain types of insurance, including renters insurance, cannot take effect. Moratoriums are usually established when a catastrophic event is anticipated for an area. For example, areas under threat of a wild fire are not eligible for coverage during the moratorium period designated by the company. To determine if your area is under a moratorium call Deans & Homer at 800.548.1616 Monday through Friday – 8 AM to 5:30 PM (Pacific Standard Time.)

How do I file a claim?

You can call Deans & Homer Claims Department at 800.548.1616 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time) Monday through Friday. Have your policy number and address available. If you filed a Police Report, please have the report number ready. You can also go to the Deans & Homer website at www.insureyourstuff.com and log into your account to file a report electronically.

Is there a deductible?

Yes there is a $250 deductible per occurrence for Personal Property claim. For a Personal Liability claim, there is no deductible.

What kind of documentation do I need when filing a claim?

Original receipts, photographs or owner’s manuals can be used to document your claim. Keep your documentation in a secure place such as work or a security lock box, so they will be accessible to you during the claims process. DO NOT keep them in your apartment. You can also complete a Personal Inventory List to help inventory your property.

ACTUAL CASH VALUE: The value given to the insured property which is calculated by taking the original cost for the item and subtracting the depreciation based on age and condition of the item. For example: Your apartment is broken into and your 5 year old big screen television is taken. It cost $1,200 when it was new, but is now only worth $400. With an actual cash value policy, you will receive $400.

ADDITIONAL LIVING EXPENSE: The living costs associated with a covered loss if the home is deemed uninhabitable. The costs can be hotel accommodations, food and even clothing.

CLAIM: Request to the insurer by the insured to receive payment for a loss to their property covered in their policy.

CONDITIONS: The circumstances and responsibilities of both parties to the policy which must be met in order for the policy to be valid and in effect.

DEDUCTIBLE: Amount of money the insured must pay out of pocket. This amount is paid per claim and is taken from the total paid by the insurer. For example: If the total approved claim is for $1,000 and your deductible is $250, you will receive $750 from the insurer.

DEPRECIATION: Decline in the value of property due to age and use.

DOMESTIC PARTNERS: Term used to describe unmarried couples living together.

ENDORSEMENT: Attachment to a policy which adds to or changes the contract’s original terms.

EXCLUSION: A loss or peril that is not covered in the insurance policy.

INSURANCE DEPARTMENT: Agency that enforces rules for the insurance business in each state. A valuable source of information about all types of insurance. The department also handles consumer inquiries and complaints.

INVENTORY: List of your possessions with description, serial numbers when appropriate, and information on when and where purchased.

LIABILITY: An obligation that can be legally enforced.

LIABILITY COVERAGE: Insurance which pays the losses of other people to whom you unintentionally or through negligence cause injury. (a) Bodily injury liability coverage pays medical costs of others and your legal defense costs if you physically harm someone; (b) Property damage liability coverage pays claims against you if you damage someone else’s property.

LOSS OF USE COVERAGE: This coverage provides financial compensation if the property becomes uninhabitable due to a covered peril within the policy; compensation is for additional living expenses to maintain a normal standard of living after the peril has occurred; coverage is often automatically included as 20% of the Replacement Cost amount; see Additional Living Expenses.

NEGLIGENCE: Failure to exercise a generally accepted level of care and caution.

PERIL: Cause of loss. (Examples: fire, theft.)

PERSONAL PROPERTY: Values or items other than the physical structure of the home; most policies cover personal property and structural property.

PERSONAL PROPERTY INSURANCE: Protects against the loss of, or damage to, possessions caused by specific perils.

POLICY PERIOD: Amount of time an insurance policy is in force.

PREMIUM: The financial amount owed to the insurance company to secure protection through the policy.

POLICYHOLDER: Person who buys insurance.

PROOF OF LOSS: Documents you give to the insurer to support your request for payment of a claim. The company uses these documents to determine whether and how much it will pay. (Examples include written repair estimates and police reports.)

REPLACEMENT COSTS: Cost to replace property with items of like kind and quality without regard to age or condition of the original item.

THEFT LIMIT: Highest amount an insurance company will pay on certain items that are stolen from your home.