# Texas Renters Insurance Guide (2026): Coverage and Cost

> Texas renters insurance covers your belongings, liability and a place to stay after a covered loss. See what it excludes, what it costs and how to set limits.

Source: https://www.robinsonlegacypartners.com/blog/renters-insurance/texas-renters-insurance-guide-coverage-cost-and-quote-questions/

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[Renters Insurance · Texas guide](https://www.robinsonlegacypartners.com/renters-insurance)

# The Texas Renters Insurance Guide. Coverage, cost and the questions to ask before you quote.

Your lease asks for proof of insurance, the leasing office says the building is covered, and you’re not sure what any of it means for your stuff. Here’s how Texas renters insurance coverage works and what it costs.

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★★★★★ **4.8** from 100+ Google reviews · Licensed Texas agency · Help in 7 languages

By the **Robinson Legacy Partners Team**·
Reviewed by [**Clarence Robinson II**](https://www.robinsonlegacypartners.com/about-clarence-robinson), Allstate Agent·
Updated September 29, 2026·
15 min read·
Arlington, TX

The Short Version

## Texas renters insurance, in 60 seconds

* **Texas renters insurance covers your things, your liability and a place to stay.** Coverage includes personal property, liability, guest medical payments and extra living costs. On cost, [TDI (December 2025)](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/tips/renters-insurance.html) puts the Texas average at about $20 a month.
* **Your landlord’s policy doesn’t cover you.** It insures the building. Your belongings and your liability are yours to insure.
* **How a claim is paid matters.** Actual cash value subtracts depreciation. Replacement cost pays closer to today’s price for a comparable new item.
* **Know the common gaps.** Flood, your roommate’s belongings, your car, and valuables or work gear above the policy’s sub-limits are where tenants get surprised.
* **Texas law doesn’t require it, but your lease might.** TDI says renters insurance isn’t required by law, and some landlords require a policy.
* **Do this:** make a quick room-by-room inventory, then review your limits and deductible with a licensed agent before you sign or renew your lease.

Maybe you just signed your first apartment lease and the leasing office wants proof of renters insurance before move-in. Maybe you’re a college student moving off campus, or a family renting a house while you save to buy. Or maybe a hard freeze burst a pipe upstairs, and you found out, standing on wet carpet, that the property manager’s insurance was never going to replace your couch. This guide is the version you read before something goes wrong.

We’ll walk through what a Texas renters policy includes, how it pays for your belongings, the gaps most tenants miss, whether you have to carry it, what it costs, and how to choose limits. Our team works out of Arlington, so the examples lean North Texas: big apartment communities, hard freezes, hail and flash flooding. The rules apply statewide.

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## Doesn’t your landlord’s insurance already cover you?

**The short answer:** No, because your landlord’s policy protects the building they own, not your belongings or your personal liability, which is the job of your own renters policy, according to the Texas Department of Insurance.

The [Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) renters guide](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/tips/renters-insurance.html) says it in one line: “Your landlord’s insurance won’t cover your personal items.” TDI’s [water damage guidance](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/blog/does-insurance-cover-water-damage-caused-by-burst-pipes.html) repeats it: if you rent, the owner’s policy won’t cover your furniture, electronics, clothing or other personal items. That split shows up three ways after a loss:

* **Your belongings.** If a kitchen fire next door smokes out your apartment, the building gets repaired under the owner’s coverage. Your clothes, mattress and laptop don’t.
* **Your costs while you’re displaced.** A landlord’s policy isn’t designed to pay for your hotel or meals out while your unit is repaired.
* **Your liability.** If your overflowing tub floods the apartment below, or a guest trips in your living room, you could be held responsible personally.

It’s the question we hear most from first-time renters: “Doesn’t the complex have insurance?” It does, for the complex. If you’re on the other side of the lease, our [Texas landlord insurance guide](https://www.robinsonlegacypartners.com/blog/landlord-insurance/texas-landlord-insurance-guide-rental-homes-liability-and-lost-rent/) explains what a rental owner’s policy is built to protect. Renting a condo from an individual owner works the same way: the association’s master policy and the owner’s unit policy are built around the owner’s interests, not your furniture. Our [Texas condo insurance guide](https://www.robinsonlegacypartners.com/blog/condo-insurance/texas-condo-insurance-guide-ho-6-master-policies-and-coverage-gaps/) explains those owner-side policies.

37%

of occupied Texas homes are rented rather than owned. That’s our math: 100% minus the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 owner-occupied housing unit rate of 62.6% for Texas ([Census QuickFacts](https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/TX/PST045224)).

## What does a Texas renters insurance policy cover?

**The short answer:** A typical Texas renters policy covers your personal property, your personal liability, medical payments for injured guests, and additional living expenses if a covered loss forces you to move out for a while.

TDI describes the core coverages in its renters guide, and the [Insurance Information Institute (III)](https://www.iii.org/article/renters-insurance) adds the no-fault guest medical coverage. Nationally these are often called HO-4 policies (the NAIC’s renters premium data is based on HO-4 forms). TDI simply calls it renters insurance, and wording varies by company, so your policy decides the details.

Personal property

### Your belongings

Furniture, clothes, electronics and kitchen gear damaged or stolen in a covered loss. TDI says it covers your belongings “even items stolen out of your car or while you’re traveling.”

Personal liability

### If someone blames you

TDI says it “protects you if someone is injured in your home and pays legal costs if you are liable and taken to court.”

Medical payments

### Guests who get hurt

No-fault coverage for a guest’s medical bills, whoever was at fault. III says you can generally get $1,000 to $5,000 of it.

Additional living expenses

### A place to stay

TDI says it pays “the extra cost of food, rental, and other things” if you have to move out for a short time after a covered loss. Some policies call it loss of use.

What counts as a covered loss depends on your policy. III lists fire, smoke, lightning, vandalism, theft, explosion, windstorm and water among the disasters a standard renters policy typically covers. On water, TDI notes that home and renters insurance cover leaks that happen **inside** your home, not flooding from outside.

Two details surprise people in a good way. Your belongings coverage generally travels with you: III says most renters policies include off-premises coverage, usually with dollar limits. And according to [TDI (September 2026)](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/blog/your-insurance-might-cover-spoiled-food-from-power-outage.html), some homeowners and renters policies will pay up to $500 for spoiled food if the power fails under certain circumstances. Ask whether yours does before the next ice storm.

Your stuff vs. your carThe laptop stolen off your back seat is a **renters** question, because it’s personal property. Hail denting the car itself in your apartment parking lot is an ** auto** question. TDI’s [spring storm tips (April 2026)](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/news/2026/tdi04162026.html) say comprehensive coverage “covers damage to your car from flood, hail, fire, and wind.” Our [Texas car insurance guide](https://www.robinsonlegacypartners.com/blog/auto-insurance/texas-car-insurance-guide-coverage-costs-and-quote-decisions/) explains how comprehensive fits into an auto policy, and why renters and auto are worth reviewing together.

**Reviewed by Clarence Robinson II.** Clarence is an Allstate agent and the owner of Robinson Legacy Partners in south Arlington. He's an entrepreneur with more than 20 years in business who became an Allstate agent in 2024, and his team helps Texas families in seven languages.
"Insurance works best when it's understood."

## Replacement cost or actual cash value: how will your belongings be paid?

**The short answer:** Actual cash value pays what your belongings are worth today after depreciation, while replacement cost pays closer to what a comparable new item costs, and TDI notes that replacement-cost coverage for renters costs more.

TDI’s [home insurance guide](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/consumer/cb025.html) defines the two terms plainly: replacement cost coverage “pays to repair or replace your house and personal property at current prices,” while actual cash value “pays replacement cost minus depreciation.” Depreciation is the value an item loses as it ages and wears, and most of what fills an apartment, from couches and mattresses to TVs and clothes, loses value quickly.

TDI’s renters guide gives an example with a laptop: “Let’s say you paid $1,300 for a laptop two years ago, but now the same kind is selling for $500. A basic renters policy would pay $500 if your laptop was destroyed.” It adds that you can buy a policy that covers the replacement value of your items, “but it will cost more.”

Source: TDI, [Renters insurance](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/tips/renters-insurance.html) (updated December 2025) and [Home insurance guide](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/consumer/cb025.html) (June 2026). General patterns, not a quote; your policy’s wording controls.

| Question | Actual cash value | Replacement cost |
| --- | --- | --- |
| How it values a loss | DepreciatedToday’s value of the used item | Current priceWhat it costs to replace at current prices |
| TDI’s laptop example | **$500** for the two-year-old laptop | Enough for a comparable replacement at today’s price, up to your limits |
| Premium | Lower | TDI: “it will cost more” |
| Who feels the gap most | Renters with older furniture, electronics and wardrobes, where depreciation is steep | |

When we review a renters quote with someone, the first thing we check is which of these two a policy uses, before we talk about price. Either way, your personal property limit is the most the policy will pay for your belongings, so the limit has to be realistic too.

## What does Texas renters insurance usually not cover?

**The short answer:** Flood, your roommate’s belongings, damage to your car, earthquakes, and valuables or business equipment above the policy’s sub-limits are the most common gaps in a Texas renters policy.

Here’s how common situations usually play out:

Sources: TDI renters guide (December 2025), TDI blog posts on roommates and water damage, TDI spring storm tips (April 2026) and III. Your policy’s wording controls.

| Situation | Typical treatment |
| --- | --- |
| A pipe bursts in a freeze and soaks your things | Often coveredTDI says home and renters insurance cover leaks that happen inside your home. Limitations may apply. |
| Your laptop is stolen from your car | Often coveredTDI says renters coverage reaches items stolen out of your car. Off-premises dollar limits may apply. |
| Rising water from a creek, street or heavy rain | ExcludedFlood needs a separate flood policy (see [flood](#flood) below). |
| Your roommate’s belongings | Not on your policyTDI says a roommate’s policy covers only their belongings, and the same is true of yours. |
| Jewelry, watches and cash | LimitedTDI lists common limits of $500 for jewelry and watches and $100 for cash. |
| Items used for business | LimitedTDI lists a common limit of $2,500 for items used for business. |
| Hail damage to your car in the lot | Not rentersThat’s comprehensive coverage on your auto policy. |
| Earthquake | Usually excludedIII says renters insurance doesn’t cover floods or earthquakes. |
| Damage to the building itself | Owner’s policyWalls, roof and built-in structure are the owner’s to insure. |

North Texas watch-out**Freezes in apartment buildings.** In a multi-unit building, one burst line upstairs can put water into several apartments below. Your renters policy responds for your belongings, and additional living expenses may help with a hotel. After the February 2021 winter storm, TDI reported that insurers had received **510,772 claims** and expected about **$11.2 billion** in insured Texas losses as of March 31, 2022 ([TDI winter weather summary](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/reports/documents/feb2021-tx-winter-weather-summary-mar2022.pdf)).

**Roommates.** TDI’s [roommate guidance](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/blog/does-my-roommates-renters-insurance-cover-my-stuff.html) is blunt: “Your roommate’s policy won’t pay for your stuff if it’s lost in a robbery or fire. Their policy covers only their belongings.” Some companies allow unmarried couples who live together to buy joint coverage (III), but rules vary, so assume one renter, one policy.

**High-value items.** Sub-limits are why an engagement ring or camera kit can be under-covered even when your overall limit looks healthy. TDI’s home guide says to talk to your agent about adding coverage for expensive jewelry, art or other items. That often means scheduling the item with its own value.

**Business property.** If you freelance or keep inventory at home, a business sub-limit can run out fast, and a renters policy generally isn’t built for business liability. See our [business insurance page](https://www.robinsonlegacypartners.com/business-insurance).

## Do Texas renters need separate flood insurance?

**The short answer:** Yes, if you want your belongings protected from flooding, because renters policies generally exclude flood, while a separate NFIP contents policy can cover up to $100,000 of belongings, usually after a 30-day wait.

TDI’s [renter flood guidance](https://tdi.texas.gov/blog/renter-flood-insurance.html) is direct: “Renters policies typically don’t pay for losses due to floods. But a flood insurance policy could.” [FloodSmart](https://www.floodsmart.gov/policy-terms), FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) site, says renters flood policies protect the things you own inside your home, like furniture, clothes, TVs, computers and rugs, for up to **$100,000** of damage. That’s called contents coverage. A few specifics worth knowing:

* **Waiting period.** FloodSmart says coverage goes into effect 30 days after purchase, with limited exceptions. Buying when the forecast turns is usually too late.
* **What it won’t cover.** TDI says a flood policy doesn’t cover cash, precious metals, stock certificates and other valuable papers, or cars, trucks or personal property kept in a basement.
* **The building isn’t yours to insure.** Your landlord decides whether to insure the structure for flood. Your contents policy is about your things.

In the Metroplex, heavy rain can turn creeks, drainage channels and low spots into flash flooding fast, and ground-floor units take the water first. Look up your address on [FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center](https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home), and see our [flood insurance page](https://www.robinsonlegacypartners.com/flood-insurance) for how we help Texas renters add NFIP contents coverage.

What’s changed for Texas leasesFor leases entered into or renewed on or after **January 1, 2022**, House Bill 531 (2021) added Section 92.0135 to the Texas Property Code. Landlords must give tenants a separate written flood notice, at or before signing, saying whether they know the home is in a 100-year floodplain, plus a notice if they know it has flooded in the last five years. The notice also tells tenants that most tenant insurance policies don’t cover flood losses ([HB 531 enrolled text](https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/87R/billtext/html/HB00531F.htm); [TDI](https://tdi.texas.gov/blog/texas-law-encourages-renters-to-buy-flood-coverage.html)). Read that notice before you sign.

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## Is renters insurance required in Texas?

**The short answer:** Texas law doesn’t require renters insurance, according to TDI, but your lease can, and some landlords make a renters policy a condition of moving in or renewing.

TDI puts it simply: “Renters insurance isn’t required by law. Some landlords might require you to have a renters policy.” So when a leasing office asks for proof, that requirement comes from your lease, not from the state. Read the insurance section before you sign. Some leases ask for a minimum liability amount, ask you to list the property as an interested party so it’s notified if your policy lapses, or ask for proof at move-in and again at renewal.

If your community offers its own program or a fee-based alternative, ask exactly who it protects. A program built for the property owner is not the same as a policy covering your belongings and liability.

Even when a lease doesn’t require it, we still walk renters through the math. Replacing everything in a one-bedroom apartment at today’s prices usually adds up to more than people expect, and a renters policy covers the two risks hardest to absorb from savings: losing everything at once and being sued.

## How much does renters insurance cost in Texas?

**The short answer:** The NAIC, via the Insurance Information Institute, put the average Texas renters premium at $199 a year for 2022, and TDI says Texas policies average about $20 a month; neither figure is a quote.

According to NAIC data summarized by the [Insurance Information Institute](https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-homeowners-and-renters-insurance), the average Texas renters premium was **$199 in 2022**, seventh highest among the states, against a U.S. average of **$171**. TDI’s [renters guide](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/tips/renters-insurance.html) (updated December 2025) says the average Texas renters policy costs ** about $20 a month**, which works out to roughly $240 a year. The figures differ because they come from different years and methods: the NAIC number averages HO-4 premiums for one data year, while TDI’s is a rounded consumer estimate. Neither is your price or a quote.

Your own premium depends on factors like these:

* **Personal property limit.** More coverage generally costs more.
* **Replacement cost or actual cash value.** TDI notes replacement-cost coverage costs more than a basic policy.
* **Deductible.** A higher deductible generally lowers the premium and raises what you pay at claim time.
* **Liability and medical payments limits.** Higher limits add protection and some premium.
* **Where you live and the building.** Location, construction and fire protection can affect pricing.
* **Claims history and bundling.** Insuring your renters policy and your car together may lower what you pay. Discounts and eligibility vary, so ask which ones apply to you on our [auto insurance page](https://www.robinsonlegacypartners.com/auto-insurance) or when we quote.

Price is only half the mathA lower premium built on actual cash value, a thin personal property limit and a high deductible can leave you short the day you file a claim. When you look at a renters quote, read the **settlement type**, the ** personal property limit** and the ** deductible in dollars** next to the price.

## How do you choose renters coverage limits that fit what you own?

**The short answer:** Use a quick home inventory to set your belongings limit, choose how losses are paid, match liability to your lease and savings, and pick a deductible you could pay tomorrow.

TDI’s renters guide tells tenants to know the value of their belongings to be sure they have enough coverage, and its [April 2026 storm tips](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/news/2026/tdi04162026.html) recommend a room-by-room home inventory with pictures and video, which can also help with a claim. Here’s what that math can look like:

Illustrative example · not a quote
Say your room-by-room inventory adds up to **$18,000** to replace at today’s prices, and your policy has a **$1,000** deductible. A burst pipe ruins a couch, a mattress, a TV and part of your wardrobe that would cost **$6,000** to replace new, but are worth **$3,400** after depreciation:

* With **replacement cost**, the policy pays about **$5,000** ($6,000 minus the $1,000 deductible).
* With **actual cash value**, it pays about **$2,400** ($3,400 minus $1,000).
* If a fire destroyed everything and your personal property limit were only **$10,000**, the most the policy would pay for your belongings is $10,000, leaving at least **$8,000** of your things unreplaced.

Your actual numbers depend on your policy, its sub-limits and the adjuster’s findings.

Here’s the order we work through with renters:

1. **Walk through and inventory your belongings**

   Go room by room with your phone, open closets and drawers, and note rough replacement prices. Store the file outside your apartment.
2. **Set your personal property limit**

   Add up what it would cost to replace everything at today’s prices and choose a limit at or above that total.
3. **Choose replacement cost or actual cash value**

   Ask which one a quote uses. If most of what you own is a few years old, the difference can be large.
4. **Check sub-limits for valuables and work gear**

   Look at the limits for jewelry, watches, cash and business items. If an item is worth more than its sub-limit, ask about scheduling it separately.
5. **Pick liability and medical payments limits**

   Meet any minimum your lease sets, then think about what you’d stand to lose in a lawsuit. III notes liability coverage commonly starts around $100,000, and more is available.
6. **Choose a deductible you could pay tomorrow**

   A higher deductible can lower your premium, but only choose one you could cover from savings the week after a loss.
7. **Decide on flood and match your lease**

   Check your address on FEMA’s flood map, remember the NFIP’s usual 30-day wait, and confirm your policy meets your lease’s insurance terms.
8. **Review it when you move or renew**

   A new address, a roommate, working from home or a big purchase can change what you need. Review at each lease renewal.

When your renters policy arrives, check the declarations page against your inventory and your lease. Our [Texas insurance policy review guide](https://www.robinsonlegacypartners.com/blog/claims-and-policy-reviews/texas-insurance-policy-review-guide-how-do-you-check-for-coverage-gaps/) walks through how to check any policy for coverage gaps. And when you’re ready to stop renting, your renters policy gives way to a homeowners policy, which covers the house as well as what’s in it. Our [Texas home insurance guide](https://www.robinsonlegacypartners.com/blog/home-insurance/texas-home-insurance-guide-coverage-costs-and-buying-decisions/) explains what changes when you buy.

## The bottom line

Texas renters insurance is the part of your lease that protects **you**. Your landlord insures the building; a renters policy covers your belongings, your liability, guest medical payments and a place to stay after a covered loss. The details decide what a claim actually pays: ** replacement cost or actual cash value**, a ** personal property limit** that matches your inventory, the ** sub-limits** on valuables and work gear, and the gaps a standard policy leaves open, especially ** flood** and ** your roommate’s things**. Texas law doesn’t require it, but your lease might, and the coverage costs far less than replacing an apartment’s worth of belongings.

If you’d like help setting it up, send us your ZIP below or call [(817) 262-5300](tel:+18172625300). We’ll help you size your personal property limit, explain how your belongings would be paid, check your lease’s insurance terms, flag gaps like flood, and quote Allstate renters coverage that fits your place. We can look at your [renters insurance](https://www.robinsonlegacypartners.com/renters-insurance) and your car together, too. Our team helps in English, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and Coptic, Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 5.

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## Other questions Texas renters ask

### Do I need renters insurance if I’m still on my parents’ policy?

Maybe not. TDI says you might not need renters insurance if you’re still a dependent, because your parents’ home policy might cover your property, even if you’re not living at home. Coverage away from the main home often has its own limit, so have your parents check theirs first.

### Can my roommate and I share one renters policy?

Don’t assume so. TDI says your roommate’s policy covers only their belongings, not yours. III notes some companies allow unmarried couples who live together to buy joint coverage, but rules vary. In most shared apartments, separate policies are the cleanest way to keep everyone covered.

### Does renters insurance cover hail damage to my car in the apartment lot?

No. A renters policy covers your belongings, not your vehicle. Hail damage to a car falls under comprehensive coverage on your auto policy, which TDI says covers damage from flood, hail, fire and wind. If you park outside during storm season, check that you carry it on our [auto insurance page](https://www.robinsonlegacypartners.com/auto-insurance).

### What happens to my renters policy when I buy a house?

You replace it with a homeowners policy, which covers the house itself along with your belongings and liability. Line up the new policy before closing, since a mortgage lender will require coverage, and cancel the renters policy once your move-out date is set. Our [Texas home insurance guide](https://www.robinsonlegacypartners.com/blog/home-insurance/texas-home-insurance-guide-coverage-costs-and-buying-decisions/) covers what to look for.

### Does renters insurance cover equipment for a side business?

Only up to a point. TDI lists a common renters limit of $2,500 for items used for business, and a renters policy generally isn’t designed for business liability, such as a client hurt at your home office. If you sell, freelance or keep inventory at home, ask us about options on our [business insurance page](https://www.robinsonlegacypartners.com/business-insurance).

## Texas renters insurance FAQ

Is renters insurance required by law in Texas?+

No. The Texas Department of Insurance says renters insurance is not required by law. However, a landlord can require it as a condition of your lease, and some do, often asking for proof at move-in and again at renewal. Some leases also set a minimum liability amount or ask you to list the property as an interested party. Even when your lease does not require it, your landlord’s insurance will not cover your personal belongings or your personal liability, so a renters policy is the way to protect both. Read the insurance section of your lease before you sign.

What does a Texas renters insurance policy cover?+

A typical Texas renters policy combines personal property coverage for your belongings, personal liability coverage if someone is hurt in your home and you are found responsible, medical payments for injured guests, and additional living expenses if a covered loss forces you to move out for a while. According to TDI, personal property coverage can even apply to items stolen out of your car or while you are traveling. Common gaps include flood, earthquake, your roommate’s belongings, and valuables or business items above the policy’s sub-limits. Wording varies by company, so your policy and declarations page control.

Does Texas renters insurance cover belongings stolen from a car?+

Often, yes. TDI says renters personal property coverage covers your belongings, even items stolen out of your car or while you are traveling. The Insurance Information Institute notes that most renters policies include this off-premises coverage, but generally with dollar limits on what you can be reimbursed, and your deductible still applies. The car itself is a different matter: damage to your vehicle from theft, vandalism or hail falls under comprehensive coverage on your auto policy, not your renters policy. Check your declarations page for any off-premises limit.

Can Texas renters buy flood insurance for their belongings?+

Yes. Standard renters policies typically do not cover flood damage, but renters can buy contents coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program. According to FloodSmart, a renters flood policy protects the things you own inside your home, such as furniture, clothes, TVs and computers, for up to $100,000 of damage. Coverage generally takes effect 30 days after purchase, with limited exceptions, so the time to buy is before a storm is in the forecast. Since 2022, Texas landlords must also give tenants a written flood disclosure with new or renewed leases.

How much personal property coverage does a Texas renter need?+

Enough to replace everything you own at today’s prices. The simplest way to find that number is a room-by-room home inventory with photos or video, adding up rough replacement prices for furniture, electronics, clothing, kitchen items and everything in closets and storage. Choose a personal property limit at or above that total, and ask whether your policy pays replacement cost or actual cash value. Then check the sub-limits for jewelry, cash and business items, since TDI lists common limits as low as $100 for cash and $500 for jewelry and watches.

About this guide

Written by the Robinson Legacy Partners team · Reviewed by Clarence Robinson II

We're a local Allstate agency at 700 Highlander Blvd in south Arlington, serving Arlington, the DFW Metroplex and Texas in English, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and Coptic, with more languages coming as our team grows. Facts in this guide come from the public sources linked above, including the [Texas Department of Insurance](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/), and we review them at least quarterly. You can confirm any Texas agent's license with [TDI's agent lookup](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/agent/agent-lookup.html). [Meet Clarence](https://www.robinsonlegacypartners.com/about-clarence-robinson).

Clarence Robinson II is an exclusive agent of Allstate Insurance Company and its affiliates. Coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions, qualifications and availability. Discounts and savings vary and are not available in all situations. This guide is general information, not a policy or legal advice; your policy documents control.

Last reviewed by the Robinson Legacy Partners team on September 29, 2026.

## Let’s look at your renters coverage together. Free, and about 15 minutes.

Bring your lease and a rough list of what you own. We’ll size your personal property limit, check your lease’s insurance terms and show you where the gaps are, in the language you’re most comfortable with.

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