Read your policy. An insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company. Read the policy carefully - if you have questions or if something is unclear, call your insurance company representative.
Shop around. Ask friends or relatives or consult the insurance section of your yellow pages. You also can get information and online rate quotations from the Northwest Insurance Council's member companies at http://www.nwinsurance.org/members.htm.
Ask about discounts. Insurance companies frequently offer discounts to their auto policyholders who purchase a renters policy. You also may be eligible for discounts if you have a security system, smoke detectors, or deadbolt locks.
Ask about deductibles. Ask your agent or customer service representative about your out-of-pocket cost in the event of a claim. This is your deductible, which represents the amount of a loss you are responsible to handle before your insurance coverage starts. The lower the deductible, the more the policy will cost you.
Take an inventory. Make an itemized list of everything you own. When possible, include receipts and purchase dates. Your inventory will help you determine how much insurance to buy and will help make filing a claim easier. Make copies of your inventory and keep it in a safe place outside your home (for example in a safe-deposit box or at a friend's house). Take photographs or make a video record of each room in your home. A complete inventory can be helpful when filing a claim and often helps you get a faster settlement. Call the Northwest Insurance Council for a free home inventory booklet at 800-664-4942 or download free home inventory software at http://www.nwinsurance.org/iiiHomeInventory.msi
Consider more coverage for high-value items. There are limitations ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 for items of special value such as jewelry, furs, fine art, firearms and watches. You may purchase a floater or Scheduled Personal Property Endorsement, providing additional coverage for specific high-value items not included in your basic policy.
