Does Renters Insurance Cover Personal Injury in the USA? Here's What You Need to Know (2025)
If you're renting your home, renters insurance is a smart way to protect your belongings—but what happens if someone gets hurt in your apartment? Will your renters insurance cover personal injury?
Let’s break it down.
What Is Renters Insurance?
Renters insurance is a type of policy designed to protect tenants from financial loss due to theft, damage, or liability. It usually covers three main areas:
- Personal property (e.g., electronics, clothes, furniture)
- Liability protection
- Additional living expenses (if your rental becomes uninhabitable)
But when it comes to personal injury, the key lies in the liability protection section.
Does Renters Insurance Cover Personal Injury?
Yes — but with conditions.
In the U.S., most renters insurance policies include personal liability coverage. This coverage typically applies to injuries sustained by guests or third parties on your rental property, not to yourself or members of your household.
✅ Covered Situations:
- A friend slips on a wet floor in your kitchen and breaks their arm.
- A delivery person trips over a loose rug in your hallway.
- Your dog bites a visitor (some insurers exclude certain breeds, so check your policy!).
In these cases, your renters insurance may cover:
- Medical bills
- Legal defense fees
- Settlements or court awards
🚫 What’s Not Covered?
There are a few scenarios where personal injury won’t be covered0 under your renters insurance:
- Injuries to yourself or household members – You’ll need health insurance for that.
- Intentional harm – If you intentionally hurt someone, your insurer won't cover the damages.
- Injuries that happen away from your rental – Unless they’re directly tied to your negligence or an insured pet.
How Much Liability Coverage Do You Need?
Most renters insurance policies include $100,000 to $300,000 in liability coverage. If you frequently have guests, or you’re concerned about potential lawsuits, you might consider increasing your coverage or adding an umbrella policy for extra protection.
Final Thoughts
Renters insurance does cover personal injury, but only for third parties, not for you or your household. It’s one of the most affordable and important protections you can have as a renter in the U.S.—especially in today’s litigious society.
Always review your policy details and speak with your provider to fully understand what's included and what's not.