Have you tried DIY car care? The cost of maintaining your car can really eat a hole in your budget. Big repairs, and even small ones, can quickly break your bank if you aren’t expecting them. DIY car care is a great way to save on these costs so that you can put your money where it’s really needed.

Maintaining your car regularly is the best way to get the most life out of it. It will run better and last longer if it is kept in top condition. Paying for car care, however, especially on the regular, is an expense that most people don’t budget for. So, when it comes to maintenance, many people neglect their car care to save on costs.

Instead of ignoring your car’s maintenance, consider all of the DIY car care that you can do to keep it in good condition and also save on money.

Why DIY Car Care?

Car maintenance might sound scary, and usually people think that you need a professional mechanic to do any type of repair to a car. But the truth is, most of the things your car needs for basic maintenance are really simple fixes that anyone can do.

Getting a mechanic to do simple car care will cost you mostly in labor. Parts are generally around the same price, whether you purchase them yourself or a shop gets them for you. But labor costs vary from shop to shop and can average anywhere from $47-$215 per hour!

With DIY car care, you only pay for the parts you need and if necessary, any tools you don’t have. But basic car care typically requires few tools and usually what you do need, most people already have on hand.

How to Prepare for DIY Car Care

If you’re going to start DIY car care, there are a few things you should do to prepare. Firstly, you should read your car’s owner’s manual. This has info in it specific to your car, including how it works and how to perform basic maintenance tasks. You’ll also learn where everything is – within the interior and under the hood.

Start paying close attention to your car. By doing so, you’ll begin to notice when something seems off. Routinely check tires, lights, paint, fluids, hoses, and belts, and always note how things operate while driving. This proactive step will help you determine when maintenance is required so that you aren’t left needing major repair work for neglected care.

We would never recommend just guessing on DIY car care, so before you do any kind of maintenance, do some homework. There are countless videos on YouTube and elsewhere online for step-by-step instructions. You can also buy books on basic car maintenance. If you know anyone who has already been performing DIY car care, consider asking them for a few tutorials. You might even want to have a friend or family member help you with some of the work. And of course, never take on any DIY car care task that you are uncomfortable with. You should take every precaution to perform the work safely. This means wearing appropriate gear (goggles, gloves, work boots, etc.), having the right equipment if needed, and knowing what you’re getting into before you start.

DIY Car Care to Try

Now that you know more about why and how to try DIY car care, it’s time for some tasks to get you started! If you see some that you know your car needs, try starting with a search through your owner’s manual and online to find tutorials on how to perform the work.

The following items are things that may need replacing when they are damaged, no longer work properly, or are past their scheduled maintenance timeframe:

• Windshield wiper blades
• Engine air filter
• Cabin air filter
• Fuel filter
• Light bulbs (headlights, taillights, license plate lights, fog lights)
• Battery
• Spark plugs
• Fuses
• Brake pads and/or disks
• Serpentine belt
• Radiator hoses
• Thermostat

Below, are things that may need to be repaired:

• Small dents and dings
• Chipped or scratched paint
• Tears in leather or vinyl
• Patchable tire damage

Other car care tasks need to be done to maintain your car’s optimal performance, such as the following:

• Change oil and oil filter
• Top off and/or replace fluid levels (power steering fluid, windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid, etc.)
• Lubricate window tracks
• Flush radiator
• Check tire pressure and tread
• Deep cleaning interior
• Wash exterior

With some regular maintenance and DIY car care, you should be able to keep your car from frequently needing trips to the repair shop. Just remember to be safe and smart while handling any of the work yourself, and don’t be afraid to resort to the pros when you need them. With a little research, determination, and some elbow grease, you should be well on your way to saving on car costs with these DIY car care tips!

Keep your car safe on the road as well. Car insurance is a necessity for every driver and at Amigo Insurance, we work hard to find you the best coverage at competitive rates! Get a free quote here or contact us at 773-847-9000, where our agents are ready to help.

With so many people at home these days due to the coronavirus pandemic, everyone’s attention has turned to home projects. But if you’re working with limited funds, can you join the home reno club without breaking the bank? We’re going to show you how you can with some home renovations on a tight budget.

Being at home mostly all day, every day can really bring to light the changes or repairs you’ve been meaning to make around your house.

And keeping your house up to date can really help add to its value as well as keep homeowners insurance costs down from repairs.

But if you’re on a tight budget, how do you pull off home renovations without spending foolishly?

How to Pull off Home Renovations on a Budget

Home renovations don’t have to mean a complete gut job or remodel. Making small changes can actually have a huge impact in the look, feel, and function of your home!

Start by evaluating what doesn’t work. Function should be priority #1 in any home. If you have an old light fixture that doesn’t work anymore or a broken sink in your guest bathroom that can’t be used, those are the things you should give attention to first. Plus, if you plan on selling your house in the near future, those types of repairs could cost your home some value.

Next consider what you don’t like. Are you nauseous at the sight of your pea-green bedroom walls? Or maybe you’ve held onto an old piece of furniture for decades that brings your space back to the 70’s. You don’t want to look for things to hate in your house, but you should be looking for things you no longer love. If you can make small changes or replacements to incorporate more of what you love, you will be happier in your home.

Go through each room and the outside of your house and make a list of everything you’d like to change. Maybe this list will be long, or it might just be a few things. But knowing what you have to work with is important to starting.

Determine Your Budget

Once you see what you want to do in your home, it’s time to see if you can afford it.

Without taking away from needed expenses, how much extra money can you sacrifice for your home renovations? If you find it’s only $200, don’t feel discouraged because there is a lot that can be done with that! Be realistic about your budget, but more importantly, be safe. Only use what you can afford and don’t put yourself in the hole just because you can’t wait to spruce things up.

When you have your budget set aside, cross-reference your list to see what will fit into it. You might find you have enough to pull off several projects and it will be up to you to decide which ones are most important to you.

Enlist Free Help for Home Renovating

One of the biggest costs when doing a repair or renovating project is hiring someone to do it. While some of the bigger, more technical jobs require a professional, there’s a lot that can be done yourself with some good old-fashioned elbow grease. And you’d be surprised what you can learn to do on your own with some online articles and videos.

For many jobs, you can either do it yourself or get some friends or family to come help you for the day. More hands will make quicker work. Just give them a homemade lunch, and they’ll probably be more than willing to help out.

Use What You Already Have

When you own something you don’t like, it might be hard to envision it differently, but a lot of things can be redone for a completely new look. Don’t underestimate the power of a good paint job, some new hardware, a slipcover, or even some furniture rearranging.

Shop Smart

If you’re renovating on a budget, obviously, this isn’t the time for splurging on high-ticket items. You need to use your dollars as wisely as possible. Consider resale, second-hand shops, garage sales, and even salvage yards which can have a huge variety of furniture, hardware, appliances, and more. Also look for sales, floor models, or as-is items from your local stores. Give things a good once-over for damage but remember that a lot can be done with some at-home touch ups and a little TLC.

Ideas for Home Renovations

Maybe you aren’t sure about what exactly you want changed in your home, but you just know you need some updating. We’ve got a list of things you can think about to get you started renovating on a budget. Most can be done for under $100 and with little time or effort.

Inside Your Home

• Repaint walls
• Replace or install window curtains
• Update cabinet and drawer pulls in kitchen, bathroom, or on furniture, like dressers
• Replace kitchen and/or bathroom faucets
• Resurface cabinets (think painting or staining techniques)
• Refinish some furniture (sand that ugly old varnish off and put on a new coat in your favorite stain or paint color)
• Install or update the kitchen backsplash
• Re-grout stained, moldy grout in your tub or shower
• Cover outdated flooring with new do-it-yourself vinyl flooring
• Cover old couches or chairs with slipcovers

Outside Your Home

• Power-wash your home’s exterior, including the porch
• Mow your lawn and edge your sidewalks (be sure to clean up the grass clippings for a clean finish)
• Plant new shrubbery and flowers
• Stain a worn or weathered deck or patio
• Install window shutters
• Update outdoor lighting
• Repair broken gutters

Having a tight budget doesn’t mean you can’t do anything. It just means you have to be smart about how you do it. However, you decide to renovate your home, keep in mind these ideas and tips for staying on budget.

If you need to protect your home and all of those upgrades you’re about to make, get a free quote from Amigo Insurance for homeowners insurance, something you don’t ever want to do without. We help you find a rate that fits your budget and your needs!

As we head into summer, that usually means one thing: an increase in teen drivers on the road. Not only are they out of school, but a lot of teens are just now learning to drive. While the thought of being on the road with untrained drivers can be a little scary, there’s a lot a parent or guardian can do to help their teen be a safe driver.

Once you have a kid, you spend their whole life trying to protect them and keep them safe. Then their teenage years come around and before long you’re handing them the keys to the family car. You cross your fingers – and maybe your toes too – and hope beyond hope that they’ll keep safety as their number one priority.

If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. According to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens.

That means, there’s a big reason to be nervous.

But just like you can’t stop your teens from growing, you also can’t stop them from becoming an adult, and part of that growing process means learning how to drive.

Tips to Help Teens Avoid Accidents and Be Safe Drivers

We’re helping you overcome your fears so you can give your teen the best possible chance to be a safe driver on the road. These tips can help keep not only your teen, but other drivers safe as well.

Involve Yourself in Your Teen’s Driving

Riding along with your teen while they’re driving should be a normal practice. It’s one of the only ways to be sure that they are being safe.

Lead by Example

Learned behavior begins at home. If your teen sees you speeding, driving recklessly, or having fits of road rage, they are more likely to follow your behavior. If they see you being safe and responsible, they are more likely to mimic that too. Always remember they are watching you, so be a good role model for them to follow.

Make Restrictions and Punishments Known and Enforce Them

Discuss consequences with your teen for unsafe driving behavior. Let them know exactly what they can expect should they disobey your rules or the legal rules of the road. Also keep in mind that things like speeding tickets risk lives and are expensive.

If and when your teen breaks the rules, follow through with the punishments. Just one “pass” will certainly give them freedom to do it again. But it only takes one mistake to cause an accident.

Follow Graduated Driver Licensing Systems

Most, if not all states enforce Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws. These are laws put in place to restrict driving privileges during certain age groups. Although they vary by state, examples might include limits to the number of passengers allowed, restrictions on driving at night, cell phone usage while driving, and requirements for taking driver education programs.

These programs give much needed skill-building and driving supervision. Review the laws in your state with your teen and decide if you need to enforce even stricter standards for them to follow.

Restrict Night Driving

If your state’s GDL laws don’t already, consider restricting your teen’s driving to only during the day. At night, a 16 year old’s fatal crash rate is nearly twice as high.

Limit or Restrict Teen Passengers

Studies show significantly higher amounts of accidents when teens are driving with at least one other teen passenger. Just think about how distracted teens are around each other in general. Now imagine one of them trying to drive a vehicle safely. If your state’s GDL laws don’t restrict passengers, you might want to consider making this an enforceable rule in your household.

Roadside Assistance and Basic Maintenance

As with any new toy or gadget, a teen can help prove their responsibility by how well they take care of their possessions. A car should be no different, even if it is a shared family car. Teach your teen to keep your car clean.

They should also know how to get roadside assistance and the steps to take if in an accident. Teach some basic maintenance like how to change a flat tire and even how to change the oil, air filter, windshield wipers, and of course, how to get gas!

All of these things can give your teen a greater appreciation for your vehicle because they are involved in taking care of it.

Stay Aware and Teach Awareness

After your teen has been driving for a short while, you might feel at ease and let go of some of the supervision and restrictions you first implemented. But don’t be too easily fooled.

You won’t be the only one who becomes complacent after a few weeks or months of driving. Your teen may too, thinking that they have already mastered this driving thing. The extra caution they practiced in the beginning may give way to a relaxed attitude towards driving and this could lead to increased danger on the road.

You can help prevent this by staying aware of your teen’s driving behaviors, checking in with them regularly on their comfort level, and being sure to keep those restrictions in place.

Help Your Teen Learn about Driving Safety and Getting Auto Insurance

Teaching your kids about the cost of driving safely will help prepare them for the future, when they will be paying for this themselves.

Consider taking your teen with you or having them on the call to add them to your auto insurance policy, so they get first-hand experience doing this.

It might also be helpful for them to see just how expensive accidents can be. Even with the best insurance, an accident is a hassle that no one wants to go through. Think about doing some research with them so they can see the average cost of an auto accident.

If you need to add your teen driver to your auto insurance policy, give Amigo Insurance a call to get a quote for the best rates with the best service.

With the weather warming up, more and more motorcycles will be on the road. While this means relaxing leisurely rides for motorcyclists, it also means an increase in potential accidents for them.

A frightening 80% of all motorcycle crashes result in injury or death according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and in recognition, we are sharing safety tips for riders and drivers to help prevent accidents on and around motorcycles.

Motorcycle Safety Tips for Riders

Choose the Right Bike

Buying a motorcycle isn’t something you should be doing to show off. Bikes today have an enormous amount of power, and you need to ride one that is appropriate for what you can handle.

If you haven’t ridden for a number of years or are a new rider, it might be best to start off with a bike with a smaller engine, at least until you become much more comfortable riding. Make sure you fit the size of the bike. Both feet should be able to reach the ground completely and handlebars and controls need to be within easy reach. If you’re on your toes just to touch the ground or stretching to reach controls, this bike is not for you.

Wear the Proper Motorcycle Gear, Including a Helmet

Riding in the sun wearing jeans and a t-shirt sounds like the perfect spring day, doesn’t it? But imagine how it would feel hitting the ground at high speeds in those clothes. Even a bug or flying debris can be a painful impact while on a motorcycle.

Wear solid protective gear like a leather jacket, full pants, footwear that covers your ankles, gloves, and eye-wear like goggles or a face shield on your helmet.

And speaking of a helmet, wear it. In some states, such as Illinois, wearing a helmet is optional, but the simple fact is, helmets save lives. In 2016, the NHTSA estimated that approximately 1,859 motorcyclists’ lives were saved by wearing a helmet and that roughly 802 more could have been saved by wearing helmets.

Make Yourself More Visible

When riding, it helps to assume you are invisible to other drivers. Position yourself to be seen. Ride in the lane that puts you in the best visible position and don’t weave or ride between lanes or on the shoulder. Drivers are not typically looking for vehicles in these places because cars can’t drive there, so why should you?

Wear bright clothing and gear and consider adding reflective strips to your clothing and your bike. Always ride with the headlights on, whether it is day or night.

Use Common Sense

A few practical moves go a long way to help keep you safe. While riding, be careful to stay out of a driver’s blind spot. Always use your turn signals and give yourself enough time for breaking. Don’t speed or drive recklessly. And never drive when you are drinking or tired.

Never Stop Improving Your Riding Skills

New riders should always take a motorcycle safety and education course. Refresher courses are offered for experienced riders and taking them may even get you an insurance discount.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers online and in-person classes on everything from Starting the Ride to Mastering the Ride.

Motorcycle Safety Tips for Drivers

Drivers are at fault for many of the motorcycle accidents on the road due to poor awareness, distractions, and not giving motorcyclists the right of way. As a driver, it’s your responsibility to help provide safer riding conditions on the road for other drivers and motorcyclists.

Understand Your Position on the Road

A motor vehicle has a lot more power on the road than a motorcycle, a bicycle, a scooter, and a pedestrian. Driving around like you own the road puts everyone at greater risk. Your vehicle is bigger and stronger and because of this, it has the power to hurt people. Be aware of that and sensitive to the fact that other people’s lives are in your hands every time you take a drive.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

It’s easy for driving to become another routine for you and for the hyper-vigilance you may have once had to disappear. But driving should never become something that is routine.

Each time you get onto the road, be aware of everything around you. Motorcycles are smaller and can be easily missed if you aren’t paying attention. Don’t drive distracted, using the phone, or when you’re tired.

Follow the Rules of the Road

Motorist laws exist for a reason; to keep people safe. Following the rules of the road will ensure you are doing what you can to help protect yourself and other motorists. Always check your blind spots before changing lanes, stop completely at all intersections and check all ways carefully before proceeding, follow the speed limit, and keep a safe following distance. These are only a few of the things you should be doing to practice road safety.

Be Kind

At some point or another, all drivers make mistakes. Be kind about it. Road rage is incredibly reckless, not to mention illegal.

Share the road and remember, you’re not the only one out there trying to get where you want.

Protect Yourself with Motorcycle Insurance from Amigo Insurance

Help ease the worry and get back to enjoying the ride with motorcycle insurance. No rider should be uninsured.

By following these tips, and getting a motorcycle policy through Amigo Insurance, you’ll feel confident knowing that while you can’t control other drivers, you’re providing the safest riding experience for yourself.

Request a motorcycle insurance quote through Amigo Insurance today!

Being a homeowner is rewarding in so many ways. You feel a sense of pride in ownership, comfort in making something your own, and you have total control over the choices you make for your home.

But with reward, comes responsibility!

Maintaining your home is a part of this responsibility and can sometimes seem like a never-ending list of to-dos. Seasonal home maintenance is particularly important not only to keep yourself aware of the condition of your home, but for preventative purposes.

A lot of what is done during seasonal maintenance is to prevent damage to areas of your home that might occur if left neglected.

And this time of year, means spring home maintenance. There’s a lot that can be done during the spring, when the daylight hours are longer, and the weather is more inviting.

While the list can be extensive, we are going to share 7 of our favorite essential spring home maintenance tips below to get you started.

1. Inspect Your Roof

Any extreme weather can wreak havoc on your roof, so check it for loose, broken, or missing shingles. A new roof is a big investment, so keeping it in working order is a smart choice.

2. Clean out Gutters and Downspouts

Check the walls around your gutters and downspouts for water damage that might indicate your gutter system isn’t working properly. Clean out all the gunk that accumulated over the fall and winter from your gutters to ensure they can keep rainwater flowing freely and directed away from your house.

3. Clean Windows and Check Seals

Check the caulk around your windows for dry, cracked, or missing caulk. If you see any issues, scrape the old caulk off before reapplying a fresh strip. Keeping your windows properly caulked ensures efficient insulation and energy usage and also protects from weather leaks.

After any repair work dries thoroughly, give your windows a good cleaning inside and outside. Remove and gently clean any screens and dry before reinserting. Windows can be wiped down with a glass cleaner or even vinegar and a squeegee or a soft cloth.

4. Prep Your Lawn

Clean up any leftover winter debris like leaves, twigs, or dead grass by raking. Fill in any bare or thin spots with seed. Depending on your lawn needs and location, you’ll probably want to apply a weed controller and a fertilizer to ensure a healthy growth.

This is also a good time to take inventory of your yard supplies and tune up your equipment, such as the lawn mower.

5. Have Your HVAC Serviced

While some HVAC maintenance, such as changing the air filter, can be done by you (and should be done on the regular to keep your unit running efficiently), it’s always a good idea to have a professional tune up to your AC before using it for the summer. This keeps it in tip-top condition and can help prevent costly repairs down the road.

6. Check Your Attic and Basement

Check your attic and basement for any smell or sign of must or mold. Look for leaks, water damage, or discoloration. This is also a good time to check your sump pump to make sure it’s running properly and for any leaks in piping. These areas can also be prone to insect infestations, so keep a close eye out for any signs of pests.

7. Spring Clean the Interior

This tip is the typical “spring cleaning” you think about when you hear those words – the deep cleaning you don’t typically do during your routine cleaning.

This includes wiping down walls, cabinets, and blinds, washing draperies, vacuuming behind appliances, steam cleaning carpets, cleaning any mold or mildew accumulation – pretty much anything you can do to remove dust, allergens, and mites and get your home as fresh as can be!

With a few weeks of time and some old-fashioned elbow grease, you should be able to tackle these spring maintenance tips to keep your home in good condition.

Remember, your home is an investment, and with any investment, you want to take care of it. A little bit of hard work every spring is worth it!

Tens of millions of trips are completed each day by rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft. Ridesharing uses an online platform, like a website or an app, to arrange transportation between passengers who need a lift and drivers who use their own private vehicles.

Most of these trips are completed safely, but when something becomes such an ordinary part of our daily lives, we can easily forget to be aware of potential risks that might be involved.

Knowing the risks of ridesharing is the first step in knowing how to use it safely. We’re sharing some of the most concerning risks along with several tips to reduce your risk and have the safest experience possible.

What Risks Are Involved in Ridesharing?

Potential Risks for Riders

• Getting in a car with fake drivers. It might sound unbelievable, but it happens, and in the worse cases, has resulted in horrible crimes.
• Car accidents. Rideshare passengers often forget about normal vehicle safety since they are not responsible for the ride, leading to poor decisions, such as not wearing seatbelts.
• Unprofessional or dangerous drivers. Even with an annual background check, it can be impossible to know a driver’s intent. In fact, a 2018 survey showed that 8% of respondents in the U.S. felt very unsafe as a passenger when using ridesharing apps.

Potential Risks for Drivers

• Drivers have just as much to worry about as passengers (if not more so, due to multiple hours on the road during shifts) when it comes to road safety. Car, property, and pedestrian accidents are all potential dangers for rideshare drivers.
• Dangerous passengers. Passengers can also pose a threat to a driver, as there is no prior approval process to become a passenger. A rating system can prevent poorly rated passengers from being allowed to return, but if it’s a passenger with no rating history, who’s to say they have pure intentions?
• Insurance liability. Regular car insurance doesn’t cover you when driving for rideshares and the coverage offered through the rideshare companies is extremely limited. Accidents that happen while waiting for a request might be solely your responsibility if you don’t have specialized insurance to cover them.

Making Ridesharing Safer

Thankfully, making constant headway in the safety arena is a top priority for these companies and they are continuously rolling out new improvements and features to do their part in making trips for both drivers and passengers as safe as possible.

But as riders and even drivers, what can we do to help keep ridesharing safe for everyone?

Being Safer as a Rider

• Wait in a safe, public place. Rideshare is an on-demand service. Wait indoors in a safe area until your ride arrives.
• Verify make, model, license plate, and photo of driver BEFORE entering vehicle. This information is all provided on your rideshare app. Never get into a vehicle whose description isn’t an exact match.
• Ask the driver to verify your name BEFORE entering the vehicle. The driver is also given your information as a rider, so ask them the name of the passenger they are picking up to verify their legitimacy. If they can’t provide it for any reason, do not get in the vehicle.
• Travel in groups, if possible. There’s safety in numbers, so when you can, ride with friends. You can also take advantage of carpooling opportunities.
• Always wear your seatbelt. Don’t assume that road safety rules are different when ridesharing. Accidents happen all the time and seatbelts save lives.
• Share your trip. Take advantage of this safety feature on your rideshare app to share your trip with one or more trusted friends who can track your trip in real time.
• Go with your gut. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, before or during your ride, remove yourself from the situation as soon as it’s safe to do so.

Being Safer as a Driver

• Stay focused and avoid distractions. These are basic rules of the road, but when you’re a rideshare driver, it isn’t just your life in your hands, so be extra careful. Don’t talk on the phone or drive when you’re sleepy or distracted.
• Pass on poorly rated passengers. If a passenger has a mediocre rating, don’t feel obligated to take the request.
• Be aware of passenger behavior. Keeping a mindful presence of the passenger’s behavior during the drive can help you remain safe. Odd, aggressive, or any behavior that makes you feel unsafe warrants pulling over in a safe place to end the ride.
• Use your rideshare companies’ safety tools. Companies like Uber and Lyft have many safety features in place for you and the rider. Tools like an emergency assistance button, GPS tracking, and route following technology are a few examples.
• Get supplemental insurance. Don’t rely on your personal car insurance or coverage through your rideshare company to cover you. It’s very likely there will be gaps in coverage should an accident happen. Getting specialized insurance that covers rideshare drivers is imperative to avoiding costly repairs or liability.

Is Ridesharing Worth It?

While these warnings and tips might have you running for the hills instead of ridesharing your way to them, these risks are not the majority. As we mentioned, millions of rides take place every day and are safe and successful. But being aware of potential risks is more important than being naïve, especially when you can do so much to prevent them.

Ridesharing can be incredibly convenient for riders and a great way to earn extra income for drivers. If you’re currently or are interested in becoming a rideshare driver, check out our Uber/Lyft Driver Coverage to make sure that you aren’t left with unwanted costs should an accident happen on the job.

You’re about to move into your first place. Congratulations! This is a very exciting time.

But if you don’t protect your belongings with renters insurance, that excitement could quickly turn to agony.

Most people don’t think they need a renters insurance policy because they don’t own the property they’ll be staying at. Even worse, many mistakenly think that the landlord’s insurance policy will cover them if something should occur.

That’s why it’s so important that you understand exactly what renters insurance is, what it covers, and how much you truly need in case of a covered claim.

Do I Really Need Renters Insurance?

Like we mentioned before, many renters think that if something should happen to the place they’re renting, the landlord’s insurance policy will cover their belongings.

For instance, let’s say a fire were to occur in the apartment building or house you’re renting, and some of your belongings were affected.

It’s the landlord’s building, so shouldn’t everything inside the building be covered by their landlord insurance policy?

No. In fact, most landlord insurance policies only cover the building and any damages due to negligence on their part. Not your personal belongings.

So if you want to make sure you can replace the items you have – even that worn out hand-me-down couch Grandma gave you – then you need renters insurance.

What Does Renters Insurance Cover?

Renters insurance covers what you own. This includes everything from furniture and TVs to socks and underwear.

It’s important to know that renters insurance isn’t just coverage for when a disaster happens like a fire. Renters insurance also offers coverage for your personal items if a theft or vandalism occurs.

Without a renters insurance policy, you would be left to cover the full cost of replacing your items.

How Much Renters Insurance Do I Need?

The great thing about renters insurance is that it’s very inexpensive! In fact, the average renters insurance policy costs just $15 a month.

And while you might not think you have a lot financially wrapped up in your personal belongings, you have to consider the cost to replace them – not the cost you got them for.

For example, let’s take that hand-me-down couch Grandma gave you. For you, it was free. But if a fire turned that couch into crispy burnt toast tomorrow, you’d have to buy a new one. And even at used prices, you’ll still have to come up with the cash to replace it.

If you had a renters insurance policy, you’d be able to replace your damaged items at just the cost of your deductible, rather than paying for each item individually.

How to Determine How Much Renters Insurance You Need

First, you need to take an inventory of all your belongings. Yes, even your socks and underwear. Because if you ever have to replace them, those little things can add up quickly.

Make sure to keep a list of your items and their estimated replacement value in a safe place.

By adding everything up on your list, you’ll have a good idea of how much coverage you need.

You’ll Need to Pick a Deductible You’re Comfortable With

A deductible is the amount you pay out of your own pocket when a covered loss has occurred.

For instance, if you choose a deductible of $500, and your damages totaled $10,000, then your insurance policy will pay you $9,500 to replace the damaged items.

You have multiple options for a deductible. It’s important you speak with your insurance agent to choose one that works best for you.

Want to see how much a renters insurance policy would cost to cover your personal belongings? Give Amigo Insurance a call today! Our expert, licensed staff can assist you with finding the coverage you need at a price you can afford.