How to file a renters insurance claim

Renters insurance can cover the cost of repairing or replacing your belongings if they're damaged by burst pipes, fires or even theft.

While a policy won't cover the structure of your house or apartment itself (your landlord's homeowners insurance policy does that) it will protect just about everything inside.  

Renters insurance can also offer protection from lawsuits with liability coverage and help pay for additional living expenses if your home is uninhabitable. 

If the unexpected happens, here's how to file a claim with your renters insurance company.

Once the problem is under control, document the loss with photos and/or videos. If your personal belongings were damaged or lost, make a detailed list of what's missing.

If you've experienced theft, burglary or vandalism, you'll also need to report the incident to the police. This can sometimes be done online, or by calling the police station where the loss or damage occurred. If possible, get the names of any law enforcement officers you work with. Then, get a copy of the police report. 

If you're filing a claim that involves your apartment or home, let your landlord know what happened. Your landlord might have to coordinate repairs or let a homeowners association know about the situation. Even if your landlord isn't directly involved in your claim, you may be required to alert them about any damages or losses per your lease agreement.

Before you start the claims process, it's worth calling your insurance agent or having a quick read of your policy to be sure that filing a claim even makes sense. You'll want to be sure of two things:  

• Your claim is covered under your policy. You'll want to find out the specifics of your policy and what it does and doesn't cover. Some things aren't covered by your renter's insurance policy, including flooding from a natural disaster and earthquakes. Your renter's insurance policy also generally won't cover your roommate's belongings.  
• Your loss is larger than your deductible. A deductible is the amount you'll need to pay before your insurance covers the rest, or up to any applicable limits. For example, if your deductible is $1,000 and someone steals your $1,000 phone, it might not be worth filing a claim.  

Additionally, you'll want to see if there are any time frame requirements to meet in order to file a claim — you may need to file within 48 to 72 hours depending on your state.  

Once you've decided that filing a claim is the right move, you'll want to get in touch with your insurance company sooner rather than later.

Depending on your insurance company, you may be able to submit claims online or through a mobile app. For instance, Lemonade handles claims almost entirely online and uses AI to instantly approve many claims.

When you contact your insurance company, you'll likely need information including:  

• Your policy number
• Details of the incident  
• Any documentation you may have, including a police report or photos and videos 
• A list of damaged or destroyed personal belonging

Once started, claim statuses can often be tracked online.

If you have to move while your home is being repaired, you'll want to save any receipts that may apply. After all, some of these expenses could be reimbursed through the ALE coverages on your policy. 

From there, you'll want to follow up on your claim if needed. While some claims can be settled quickly, others may require an investigation or a visit from an adjuster. Keep track of who you speak with and keep notes of any other interactions you may have. 

You'll need to be able to answer detailed questions about the incident, and you'll generally need those photos and videos you captured at the start to upload.

If you're shopping for a renters insurance policy, CNBC Select has compared many of the top companies in the industry and ranked the best renters insurance companies. Our top choices include Lemonade for its fast and simple claims and purchasing experience. Progressive is another top pick for its wide variety of discounts, from bundling to getting quotes in advance.  

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards, banking and money, and follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every renters insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best renters insurance.