It's really good to have. It's only like $40 a month. I'd never had it before either, but the last apartment I lived in required it and I was REALLY glad I had it when my boyfriend's digitial SLR camera was stolen from his checked luggage on a flight from ORL to LAX and we were able to claim it on our renter's insurance and get full reimbursement. Now I wouldn't rent without it!

 

I'm gonna have to shop around again cos I need to get new quotes with more stuff so while at it I'll ask about renter's insurance.

 

i'm an insurance agent in PA and a couple of the companies that i write with automatically include up to a certain amount for aftermarket parts ... one company offers $3000 and one $1000 ... they only offer that though if you carry both comprehensive and collision coverage. as far as looking into renters insurance, try to find a company that offers both renters/homeowners insurance and auto insurance, you usually can get a discount on both of those for carrying it with the same company ...