Does renters insurance cover it?

We read the standard renters policy line by line, so you get the clause that decides your case, the limit hiding in it and what the check comes to after the deductible.

    Lost items Not coveredTheft needs a likely thief Mold DependsOnly the hidden kind Power surges DependsThe TV's insides are out

    Contents

    Every question, with the verdict the standard form gives. Your own policy may word things differently; each answer says which section to check.

    Water damage

    MoldDepends Flooded basementsNot covered Toilet overflowCovered

    Theft and loss

    Burglary and theftCovered Storage unitsDepends Bike theftCovered Car break-insCovered ElectronicsDepends JewelryDepends GunsDepends Stolen packagesDepends Lost itemsNot covered

    Fire and smoke

    Fire damageCovered

    Weather and earth

    EarthquakesNot covered HurricanesDepends

    Pests

    Bed bugsNot covered Cockroaches, fleas and other pestsNot covered

    Power and electrical

    Power outagesNot covered Power surgesDepends

    People and liability

    Injuries to guestsCovered RoommatesNot covered

    The landlord's things

    AppliancesDepends Carpet damageDepends Broken windowsDepends

    Run your own claim

    Fill in what happened. The worksheet applies the form's perils, exclusions and special limits, then takes off depreciation and the deductible.

    CLAIM WORKSHEETFORM HO 00 04
    The standard form pays actual cash value; replacement cost is an add-on. Your declarations page says which.
    Insurers use their own tables. This is a straight-line illustration; 0 means no depreciation.