Commissioner Causey urges renters to get insurance after NC apartment fire

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is urging renters across the state to review their insurance coverage following a large apartment fire in Morrisville that left several people injured and dozens displaced.

Six people were hurt and about 70 people were displaced after a fire at the Camden Westwood Apartments near Park West Village shopping center Monday night.

Causey emphasized that a landlord’s insurance policy does not cover a tenant’s personal belongings or provide liability protection in the event of fire, storm damage, theft or other disasters.

If you rent an apartment, house or condominium, your landlord’s policy typically only covers the building itself.

“I think there is a misconception because some people may mistakenly believe the landlord may have some type of insurance, but the only insurance the landlord has is on the actual building,” Causey said. “So, unless people have renters’ insurance, the loss is on them. It’s very inexpensive and it has so many benefits that people don’t think about above and beyond property loss.”

While renters’ insurance is not required by law, some landlords require tenants to carry coverage as part of their lease agreement.

Renters’ insurance policies generally cover personal belongings, medical expenses and temporary housing costs if a renter is displaced. Causey said many policies are affordable, with some starting at about $25 per month.