Renter’s Insurance
As I posted earlier there are fires burning on Pendleton again for the 2nd year in a row. We came in late due to the fact that we were ending the Columbus Day Holiday. I was back on the road 45 minutes after coming in as we had been secured.
I was however to pass on to my Marines some good information before we secured. I asked how many of them had renter’s insurance and not surprisingly only a couple of hands went up. I explained to them all that they need to get renter’s insurance as there is no coverage on their belongings regardless of where they live.
You see most Marines believe that the government will replace their belongings if they live in government quarters (barracks or base housing). At the same time most people living in apartments think that the apartments insurance will cover their belongings. Unfortunately they are wrong and if something happens they will not receive compensation for their belongings.
Now the good news. For $170 a year ($14.17 a month) I have 40 grand worth of insurance for my belongings. Also included in that is a kicker on my computer for 3 grand (Sometimes I want to jump on my computer and make a $3000 claim). If in the unfortunate circumstance of something happening to my apartment I will get a nice check from USAA to replace my clothes, furniture, uniforms, as well as the rest of the fam’s stuff.
The peace of mind that I have for less than 50 cents a day is great. I know that if something happens I can get my belongings replaced probably with better stuff than I have now. So regardless of where you live if you do not own the building you live in you need to go out and get some renter’s insurance.
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October 16th, 2008 at 9:45 am
And if you own your house, take time every year or so to update your homeowner’s policy to account for both the structure and the contents.
Both renters and homeowners should also document their belongings. (A cd with a walk through video clip with commentary and scanned receipts is ideal. Don’t forget to log serial numbers.) Give the insurance adjuster as much data as you can, within reason.
Can Marines living in the barracks get renter’s insurance to replace uniforms, computers, etc? Where? (forwarding this to the Marine!Goth – thanks)
October 6th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Thanks for this note, I have been encouraging the Marines in my program to get renters insurance when they get Married and move out into town, but I had not considered what would happen should belongings in the barracks suffer damage. I will pass this along to my guys, and will encourage them to pass it to their buddies and their juniors.