Dear Editor,
I was so sad to read about Ronni Peterson and the fire in her rented home.

I hate to use her tragedy as a cautionary tale, but I am sure she would be happy that something good would come of it. Please, please, please folks - buy renter's insurance! It is so inexpensive - I just looked up the policy for one of my co-workers, another West Seattle resident. Her policy covers $20,000 of personal property and is $139 a YEAR. This policy would have paid Ronni $20,000 to replace personal items as well as additional living expenses while she found another apartment to rent.

Most importantly, it also pays for $500,000 of liability insurance. If Ronni is liable for the damage to the home - if she left a candle burning, for example, the insurance company of her landlord would hold her responsible for the damage to the home and her policy would cover THAT also - so important!

Pick up the phone and buy some insurance, all of you renters! Really? $12/month. That is a couple of coffees. Please. My mom always says that when we are the most poor and vulnerable is when we most need insurance. Listen to Mom! She is right (most of the time)!

Michelle Rupp