- Get a quote if you’re looking for the lowest cost for coverage.
- Pick something else if you like having a personal agent.
- Budget-conscious renters in 27 states can apply.
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Lemonade renters insurance review
By Sarah George
- Available states
- AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, GA, IL, IN, IA, MD, MI, MO, NV, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI
- 24/7 claims
- Online quotes
Our verdict
Squeeze savings out of this low-cost policy while giving back to charity.
Lemonade offers a refreshing blend of speedy claims, helpful coverage and cheap premiums to cover your rental liability and belongings. But its app-based model doesn’t work for everyone, and the company doesn't yet offer its renters product in every state. In those cases, you can look at policies from home insurance competitors instead.
Pros
-
Low monthly rates
-
Fast online quotes
-
Easy-to-use app
-
Speedy claims
Cons
-
Not available in every state
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Quotes only available online
Details
Discounts
| New home discount discount | No |
| New homeowner discount | No |
| Home safety features discount | Yes |
| New policy discount | No |
| Bundling discount | Yes |
| No claims discount | No |
| Other discounts | Yes |
Coverage
| Personal property coverage | Yes |
| Valuable personal property | Yes |
| Theft coverage | Yes |
| Fire coverage | Yes |
| Flood coverage | Yes |
| Identity theft coverage | No |
| Homesharing | No |
| Dwelling coverage | Yes |
What renters insurance coverage does Lemonade offer?
Lemonade serves up a healthy list of protection for your belongings and liability. That includes:
- Personal liability
- Medical payments to others
- Personal property like clothing and furniture
- Portable electronics
- Valuables coverage with no deductible
- Water backup from sewers and pipes
- Mold damage caused by water backups
- Loss of use
- Earthquake add-on in California and Arkansas
What’s not covered?
Watch your step with a few items that may need coverage from another policy:
- Restricted dog breeds. Like most home and rental insurers, Lemonade doesn’t cover Akitas, Alaskan Malamutes, Dobermanns, Chow Chows, German Shepherds, Great Danes, Perro de Presa Canarios, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Siberian Huskies, Staffordshire Terriers or wolf hybrids.
- Flooding. You’ll need a separate policy for weather-related flooding, another common exclusion.
- Roommates. Your roommates will need a policy of their own for liability and personal belongings.
What renters insurance discounts can I get?
Lemonade claims to undercut its competition by up to 82%, offering renters insurance that starts at $5 a month, or $60 annually. Because Lemonade keeps standard costs low, you’ll only see a couple of discounts broken out of your rate.
- Fire alarms
- Theft alarms
How is Lemonade different from other insurers?
Lemonade makes money in a much different way than other insurers. Rather than pocketing the surplus left-over premiums after paying claims, Lemonade allots a certain amount of your premium for operations, including office expenses, reinsurance and cash reserves.
Along with this overhead, Lemonade uses the rest of its income to pay for claims. It often pays claims instantly, if the company’s artificial intelligence determines your claim isn’t fraudulent.
Finally, if the total premiums paid by all customers exceed the amount the company pays out in claims that year, the difference goes to a charity of your choice. That means any profits after basic operating expenses go to dozens of nonprofits, helping with issues like homelessness, racial justice projects and LGBTQI suicide.
Case study: Aliyyah’s experience
Aliyyah Camp
Loans Publisher
I got my Lemonade renter’s insurance policy in January 2018 when I moved into my New York City apartment. Before that, I had an Allstate policy in Virginia.
My previous Allstate policy cost me $131.20 per year or $14.97 per month for a one bedroom. My current Lemonade policy is comparable in terms of coverage and costs $5.84 per month. I like that Lemonade is more fintech-y, with a mobile app and fully online claims process. But like most other insurance policies, I hope I never have to use it.
Pros and cons of Lemonade renters insurance
Pros
- Cheap starting rates. Lemonade renters policies start as low as $5 a month, which is much cheaper than the standard $12 to $20 you’ll pay for other policies.
- Transparent finances. Lemonade builds trust by laying out what it does with excess premium payments.
- Quick claims payments. The company boasts that 30% of its claims get paid instantly, with one record-setting three-second settlement in 2016.
- Highly praised by customers. Of over 100 reviews, many customers give Lemonade four or five stars with the Better Business Bureau for quick claims, low rates and a simple app.
Cons
- Brand new company. Lemonade’s experience only dates back to 2015.
- Online and app-based. Most of your policy communications require the mobile app, although you may talk with a claims representative in some cases.
- Limited number of states. This insurer serves 27 states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
How to apply for Lemonade renters insurance
Lemonade streamlines the application process into a few quick questions:
- From the homepage, click Get renters insurance.
- Enter your name and tap Let’s do this.
- Enter your home address and click Next.
- Answer questions about your home and whether you have roommates. Click Next.
- Fill in your contact information, accept the disclosure and click Next.
- Accept coverage and finalize your payment details.
What info do I need to apply for home insurance?
Whiz through the application process with these details in mind:
- Name
- Home address
- Safety features of your rental
- Phone number
- Coverage needs
- Policy start date
- Payment information
Alternatives to Lemonade
Explore your options by storm & water backup, valuable property, enhanced rebuild, homeshare coverage or available states. Select the Go to site button for more information about a particular insurer.
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Frequently asked questions about Lemonade renters insurance
Do I need to submit details about my personal belongings to get coverage?
Only if you’re getting coverage for items worth more than $1,000. To get coverage, you’ll need to list each valuable item with a photo, description and receipt or appraisal. You also won’t have coverage until Lemonade approves those items.
What valuable items can I get extra coverage for?
You can get coverage for bicycles, cameras, fine art, jewelry and musical instruments.
What happens if there’s an emergency?
If you experience an emergency, you can either file a claim online or through the app, or you can contact the emergency response team at 844-733-8666. An emergency involves any damage that needs immediate attention or temporary housing like fire or water damage.
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