Does Renters’ Insurance Cover Personal Injury in Virginia?

“Does renters’ insurance cover personal injury?” is a question that at least some Virginians ask each year. If you’re a renter in the state, you might wonder if someone is ever injured in your rental home or apartment.

Virginia is home to the 12th-highest number of renters of any state in the country. All the more reason they should invest in renters’ insurance and know whether their policies will cover any personal injuries that occur in their rental properties.

What Renters’ Insurance Covers When It Comes to Personal Injuries

When you purchase a renters’ insurance policy in Virginia, it should provide protection in many areas. For example, it should extend personal property coverage and protect furniture, electronics, and other personal possessions in the event of a burglary, vandalism, or even a fire.

The average renters’ insurance policy also takes coverage a step further by providing liability coverage and personal injury protection. The answer to the question, “Does renters’ insurance cover personal injury in Virginia?” is often “yes” when these aspects are included in a renters’ insurance policy.

If a guest visiting your rental property is ever injured during an accident and you’re found to blame for it, renters’ insurance should cover their medical payments and other expenses once your policy’s deductibles are met. You should, however, review your specific policy to see what kind of coverage it provides before assuming anything.

What Renters’ Insurance Doesn’t Cover When It Comes to Personal Injuries

Renters’ insurance covers personal injuries in Virginia in many instances, but this isn’t always the case for those who rent in the state. In certain instances, renters’ insurance won’t provide coverage for those involved in at-fault accidents in your rental home or apartment.

More specifically, a renters’ insurance policy isn’t going to extend personal injury coverage to you or any others who might share a rental property with you. Sometimes, it also won’t cover any family members visiting your rental property. Your insurance company will say “no” when you call and ask, “Does renters’ insurance cover personal injury in Virginia in my case?”

Additionally, you might find that renters’ insurance won’t cover personal injuries that take place during accidents that weren’t your fault. In a situation like this, you will likely need to have medical payments and others covered in your policy, which is an add-on that requires you to pay extra every month. This add-on is also only designed to cover smaller medical expenses, like emergency room visits and X-rays, in the majority of cases.

What To Do After a Personal Injury in a Virginia Rental Property

If someone is ever hurt in your rental property, pull out your renters’ insurance policy right away and read through it to see what kind of coverage it offers. You might have the coverage you’ll need to foot the bill for a guest’s medical expenses.

Meanwhile, those injured in these personal injury cases should contact personal injury lawyers to discuss their legal options. They can often arrange free consultations and avoid upfront legal fees while gaining access to important information about Virginia’s personal injury laws.

A personal injury lawyer from Geoff McDonald & Associates can further answer questions like, “Does renters’ insurance cover personal injury in Virginia?” for you.

Contact Us for Help With a Personal Injury Case in Virginia

Personal injury cases stemming from accidents that happen on rental properties in Virginia can become complicated in a hurry. Let Geoff McDonald & Associates lend a hand by talking to you about a potential personal injury case and answering questions like, “Does renters’ insurance cover personal injury in Virginia?”

Call us at 804-888-8888 or fill out this form to schedule a free consultation today.