Fires are one of the most common and devastating risks that renters face—and they can start in surprising ways.
Electrical fires may be caused by faulty wiring, overloaded outlets, or even squirrels chewing through wires. E-cigarettes and vapes, if improperly charged or malfunctioning, or candles lit for a relaxing night can also ignite fires. Kitchen accidents and unattended appliances are other frequent culprits.
Importantly, fires don’t just affect the unit where they start. Smoke, heat, and water damage can spread quickly, impacting neighboring apartments and displacing multiple tenants—even if their own unit wasn’t the source of the fire.
These recent apartment fires in New York State alone, highlight how unpredictable and damaging these events can be:
- Freeport, Nassau County, NY (October 23, 2025): Five people were injured in an apartment fire.
- South Midler Avenue, Eastwood (October 20, 2025): A fire damaged a building with a ground-floor business and apartments.
- Latimer Terrace (October 16, 2025): A vacant apartment building on the South Side of Syracuse was damaged.
- Pond Street (October 2, 2025): A 19-unit apartment building was the scene of a fire where two people were rescued. One unit was deemed uninhabitable.
- Cicero (April 16, 2025): A fire at an apartment building resulted in three people being taken to the hospital.
- Baldwinsville (January 24, 2025): A fire significantly damaged multiple apartment buildings, caused a partial roof collapse, and one person was hospitalized.
- Bronx, NY (January 10, 2025): A deadly apartment fire raised concerns about building safety and emergency response.
For more information on fires in your area check out local news outlets and emergency service social media pages for the most current information.
The good news? Renters insurance typically covers fire damage to your personal property—unless the fire was intentionally set. Even if your landlord’s insurance has lapsed or doesn’t exist, your renters policy still protects your belongings. That’s why it’s essential to document your possessions, especially high-value items, by taking photos and keeping receipts.
Why Renters Insurance Is a Smart Move
Whether you’re a college student, a young professional, or downsizing in retirement, renters insurance is one of the most affordable and important protections you can have. Many renters mistakenly believe their landlord’s insurance covers their personal belongings. It doesn’t. Renters insurance is designed to protect you—and your stuff—from unexpected events.
What Renters Insurance Covers
Most standard renters insurance policies include:
- Personal property coverage: Protects your belongings like furniture, electronics, clothing, and more.
- Liability coverage: Covers legal and medical costs if someone is injured in your rental or if you accidentally damage someone else’s property.
- Additional living expenses: Pays for temporary housing if your rental becomes uninhabitable due to a covered event like a fire or burst pipe.
Optional endorsements can extend coverage to:
- Jewelry, furs, and collectibles
- Firearms
- Business property
- Watercraft
- Silverware and goldware
Real Risks Renters Face
Renters often underestimate the value of their possessions. The average renter owns $20,000 to $30,000 worth of goods. Without insurance, replacing these items after a disaster could be financially devastating.
Renters insurance also protects you from lawsuits if someone is injured in your home or if your dog bites someone outside your home.
Key Facts to Remember
- Renters insurance costs less than $25/month on average.
- Coverage applies to theft and damage even when you’re away from home.
- You can choose between actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost value (RCV) for your belongings. ACV is what the item is worth, factoring in depreciation. ACV is generally less than what it would cost to replace the item. Conversely, RCV is what it would cost to replace the item with a new one of similar kind and quality. For this reason, RCV is more expensive than ACV.
- Roommates must be named on the policy to be covered.
- Flood and earthquake damage are not covered unless you purchase separate policies.
- You can add a “floater” to cover expensive items like jewelry or musical instruments.
How We Can Help
We’ll guide you through:
- Choosing the right coverage based on your assets and risk level
- Selecting a deductible that fits your budget
- Deciding between ACV and RCV
- Providing proof of insurance for your landlord
Don’t wait until disaster strikes. Renters insurance is affordable, customizable, and essential. Contact our Personal Insurance Team today to find the right policy for your needs.
References
ABC7NY. (2025, October). 5 hurt in Freeport, Nassau County apartment fire. https://abc7ny.com/post/5-hurt-1-freeport-nassau-county-apartment-fire/18061091/
Coin, G. (2025, October 16). Fire damages vacant apartment building on Syracuse’s South Side. Syracuse.com. https://www.syracuse.com/crime/2025/10/fire-damages-vacant-apartment-building-on-syracuses-south-side.html
Coin, G. (2025, October 20). Fire damages Eastwood building with businesses, apartments. Syracuse.com. https://www.syracuse.com/news/2025/10/fire-damages-eastwood-building-with-businesses-apartments.html
Syracuse Fire Department. (2025, October 2). Press release: Two rescued from early morning apartment building fire, Syracuse NY [Facebook post]. https://www.facebook.com/SyracuseFD/posts/press-release-two-rescued-from-early-morning-apartment-building-fire-syracuse-ny/1216496537177198/
Coin, G. (2025, April 16). Fire rips through Cicero apartment building. Syracuse.com. https://www.syracuse.com/crime/2025/04/fire-rips-through-cicero-apartment-building.html
Coin, G. (2025, January 24). Fire rips through Baldwinsville apartment building, roof collapses. Syracuse.com. https://www.syracuse.com/news/2025/01/fire-rips-through-baldwinsville-apartment-building-roof-collapses.html
Schweber, N. (2025, January 10). Bronx fire kills 17, raising questions about safety and response. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/nyregion/bronx-fire-nyc.html
This content is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing professional, financial, medical or legal advice. You should contact your licensed professional to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Please refer to your policy contract for any specific information or questions on applicability of coverage.
Please note coverage can not be bound or a claim reported without written acknowledgment from a OneGroup Representative.
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