With football season, the World Series, and Halloween looming, that means there are more people gathering for parties and get-togethers. Sounds fun, but more activity means more opportunities for accidents and injured guests.
That’s why the personal liability coverage in your renters insurance is so important. It covers a wide range of accidents that could potentially lead to a lawsuit against you. And that’s a buzzkill. Here are examples of a few of them.
1. Party Damage
If your guest trips and falls in your apartment and sues you, they might not be getting an invitation back, but you are covered — as you are if your guests converge on your bathroom at halftime and flood out the downstairs neighbor.
Gotham says: Even if you are sued because someone who has been drinking at your place later has an accident elsewhere, coverage also applies.
2. Injured Workers
If you are having your house party catered and an employee is injured and sues you, that party could get to be very expensive — if you don’t have renters insurance.
Gotham Says: It is the renter’s responsibility to warn employees about any risks in your home. You would be covered if your alleged negligence results in an injury and a lawsuit. But coverage would usually not apply at any for-profit event.
3. Dog bites
More than 15,000 dog bite claims were filed in 2015, and the cost per claim reached an all-time high — $37,214 (ouch!).
Gotham says: Some apartment insurance policies exclude dog bites, but many will cover you — unless you have a bad-reputation breed (doberman, pit bull).