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Insurance Renters Insurance

Best Renters Insurance in San Diego

Updated Jun 28, 2023   |   4-min read

Renters insurance can protect you if your belongings are stolen, vandalized, or damaged in a fire, flood, or another disaster. It can also cover medical bills if someone’s hurt on your property and provide for temporary living expenses if your rental is no longer inhabitable for some reason that’s out of your control.

In San Diego, the options for renters insurance run the gamut. This guide can help determine which one is best for you.

On this page:

4 best renters insurance options for San Diego

If you opt for renters insurance in California, secure several quotes to ensure you get the best coverage at the best rate. The four renters insurance companies listed below are a solid starting point.

Best for cheap coverage & fast signup: Lemonade

  • Sample Quote: $6.57
  • Sample Deductibles: $250, $500, $1,000, or $2,500
  • A.M. Best Rating: Not rated

Lemonade is an insurance company that offers renters insurance and homeowners insurance. Its basic renters insurance plans start at $5 per month, and you can add on additional coverage options for high-value items like bikes, artwork, musical instruments, and more.

One of the biggest perks of Lemonade is that it uses artificial intelligence to speed up the applications and claims processes.

  • Reimbursement type: Actual cash value
  • Sample maximum liability coverage: $500,000
  • Policy discounts: N/A
  • Available add-ons: Art, bikes, cameras, instruments, jewelry, earthquake coverage

Best for comprehensive coverage: Nationwide

  • Sample Quote: $20.34
  • Sample Deductibles: $500 – $10,000
  • A.M. Best Rating: A+

Nationwide’s renters insurance policies are fully customizable, offering up to $1 million in liability coverage, as well as additional coverage for medical payments.

There are also several add-on options, including coverage for tools, identify theft, water backups, and more. The company is highly rated by major ratings companies like Moody’s and AM Best.

  • Reimbursement type: Actual value or replacement cost
  • Sample maximum liability coverage: $1 million
  • Policy discounts: Claims-free periods, multi-policy, protective devices
  • Available add-ons: High-value items, earthquake coverage, theft extension, water backup

Best for discounts: Allstate

  • Sample Quote: $17
  • Sample Deductibles: $250, $500, or $1,000
  • A.M. Best Rating: A+

If you’re on the hunt for discounts, Allstate’s renters policies are your best bet. The company offers a wide variety of discounts, including ones for having various safety devices, being 55 or older, staying claim-free, and more. The company also reimburses you for the replacement value of your belongings (most insurers charge extra for this).

  • Reimbursement type: Replacement cost
  • Sample maximum liability coverage: $500,000
  • Policy discounts: Multi-policy, safety devices, autopay, 55 and older, claim-free periods
  • Available add-ons: Identity theft, guest medical coverage

Best customer reviews: The Hartford

  • Sample Quote: Not available
  • Sample Deductibles: $500 – $10,000
  • A.M. Best Rating: A+

For seniors, The Hartford can be a good option for renters insurance. A number of discounts are available, and depreciation isn’t considered when replacing your damaged belongings. The company also boasts stellar reviews, with the official website claiming a 4.7 out of 5 rating on more than 16,000 reviews.

Since The Hartford requires an AARP membership to be eligible, we were unable to obtain a sample renters insurance quote for this one.

  • Reimbursement type: Actual value or replacement cost
  • Sample Maximum liability coverage: $500,000
  • Policy discounts: 24-hour security, policy renewal, bundled policies
  • Available add-ons: Zero deductible, high-value items, earthquake coverage, water backup

Comparing costs of San Diego renters insurance

For the above quotes, we used a sample scenario involving a rental unit in the 92020 ZIP code. Personal property was covered up to $20,000, with $100,000 in liability. A $500 deductible was chosen in each case. See below for a full breakdown of how costs measured up for each company.

CompanyMonthly Cost
Lemonade$6.59
Nationwide$20.34
Allstate$17
The HartfordNot available

Is renters insurance required in San Diego?

Renters insurance isn’t legally required in the city (or the state of California), but individual landlords may require it. Check your lease or talk to your landlord to see if you’ll need it for your property.

Is getting renters insurance in San Diego a good idea?

Renters insurance can be smart for any tenant, but in San Diego, it’s even wiser. The city often experiences adverse weather events like earthquakes and landslides. In fact, according to a study from the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, there’s an 18% chance of a 6.7 magnitude or higher earthquake sometime in the next 30 years.

Fortunately, renters insurance isn’t expensive to secure. As you can see from the sample quotes above, it just takes a small monthly investment to ensure your belongings and personal property are protected. If you want to compare additional options from those mentioned above, you can check out our picks for the best renters insurance.