Once Michigan nights dip below freezing, plenty of renters plug in a portable heater to take the chill out of a drafty bedroom or basement apartment. When one tips over or overheats, though, a fire can spread beyond your unit quickly, and renters are often surprised by how responsibility is sorted out afterward.

Who Typically Handles What After a Fire

Your Renters Policy

Your belongings: Personal property coverage generally responds to your own furniture, clothing, and electronics damaged by fire or smoke.

Temporary housing: Loss of use coverage can help with added living costs if your unit can’t be lived in during repairs.

Damage you’re responsible for: Many renters policies include liability coverage for fire, smoke, or explosion damage you cause to the unit you rent. That matters, because damage to rented property is otherwise commonly excluded.

The Landlord’s Policy

The landlord’s insurance is designed to protect the building. After paying for repairs, the landlord’s insurer may try to recover those costs from a tenant whose carelessness caused the fire. That process is called subrogation, and it’s where your liability coverage often comes into play.

Your Neighbors’ Policies

Neighbors typically look to their own renters insurance for their belongings. Their insurers may also pursue the person responsible.

Space Heater Safety Habits

• Keep the heater at least three feet away from bedding, curtains, and furniture
• Plug it directly into a wall outlet rather than an extension cord or power strip
• Choose a model with tip-over and overheat shutoff
• Turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep
• Check your lease, since some landlords restrict space heaters

Reviewing Your Coverage This Winter

Liability limits, loss of use, and personal property limits all matter after a fire. Our post on the drawbacks of going without renters insurance explains why liability is so important for tenants.

Shield Insurance Agency in Michigan can review your renters policy and explain how it responds to fire. Policy wording varies by carrier. Renters across the state can reach out to Shield Insurance Agency in Michigan with questions before the coldest months arrive.