Does Renters Insurance Cover Personal Injury?

Accidents happen. That’s part of life, especially when you’re renting a home. But here’s a question many forget to ask: Does renters insurance cover personal injury?

The short answer is yes. Renter’s insurance only covers personal injury to others under liability coverage. But coverage may be limited to some injuries and applicable only under specific circumstances.

If someone gets injured in your home, your renters liability coverage may help cover medical expenses or even a lawsuit. But if you get hurt, your insurance policy likely won’t help. In such a case, your health insurance or your landlord’s homeowner’s insurance (if at-fault) will help you as your primary insurance policy.

If you want to determine whether and when your renters' policy will cover your guest, roommate, or a family member living with you in your rented property if they are injured, you're in the right place. We'll clear up any confusion about liability, negligence, and what your insurance does and doesn't cover.

What Types of Renter’s Insurance Cover Injuries?

Each renter’s insurance policy is different. Some only cover your property. Others go further, protecting against injuries too.

Standard renters insurance comes with three basic parts: Personal property, liability coverage, and additional living expenses (ALE).

The renter's liability insurance is the only policy that may help you in case of bodily injuries that occur to someone else in your rental space. For instance, if a guest slips on your floor, this coverage may help pay their medical bills, or pain and suffering.

There are two key parts of personal liability renter’s insurance:

1. Family liability protection  
2. Guest liability protection 

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), Family liability protection refers to the policy that pays for the property damage or physical injuries (medical bills) to others if you or your family member (who lives with you), such as your child or spouse, is responsible for it. For instance, it may help if your child breaks a neighbor's laptop or your spouse’s causes property damage.

Guest liability protection, on the other hand, covers visitors if they get injured on your premises. III states that every renter's liability insurance typically includes a certain amount of no-fault medical coverage for guests. This means no matter who caused the accident or injury to your guests, they will receive certain amounts for their treatment.

Treatments renter’s insurance may cover for injured party through your liability insurance:

• X-rays
• Emergency room visits
• Doctor consultations
• Physical therapy
• Surgery
• Hospital stays
• Stitches and wound care
• Ambulance transport
• Prescription medications
• Follow-up care
• Medical equipment (e.g., crutches, braces)
• Professional nursing
• Prosthetic (If medical necessary)
• Dental repair (If injury involves teeth)

Keep in mind that any injuries to you or anyone living with you won't be covered by your renters' insurance. In that case, your health insurance will provide financial assistance.

When Does Renters' Insurance Cover Injury and When It Doesn’t?

We have already answered that renter’s insurance doesn’t cover your own injuries. But it can help you when you’re held legally liable if certain conditions are met.

Here's when renters insurance covers an injury:

• A guest gets hurt inside your unit, and you’re found at fault
• Your dog bites someone, and your insurance policy includes pet liability
• A contractor falls down your stairs
• A tree limb falls in your rented yard, and it’s your responsibility under the lease

But what about you? What if you get hurt?

Someone shared in a Reddit Discussion Thread that their porch collapsed, and they fell through it. They were already disabled. And the landlord had known the porch was unsafe for months. The question was: Should I file this with my renter’s insurance?

The top replies were clear: No. Because renters insurance won’t cover injuries to the policyholder. That’s a job for your health insurance or possibly a lawsuit against the landlord for negligence. Others also advised requesting the insurance company and policy info from your landlord. If they refuse, take legal action.

So, here’s when renters insurance doesn’t cover injury:

• You or your roommate gets hurt
• The accident happens outside your unit, in common areas
• A banned breed causes harm
• The injury was intentional or criminal
• It involves a home business or a car accident lawsuit  

Does Renters’ Insurance Cover Injury to My Roommate or Family Member?

No. As we said before, renters insurance doesn’t cover injuries to you, your roommate, or your family members who live with you.

These people are considered “insiders” on your policy. For them, you’ll need health insurance. If your family member accidentally injures someone else, your family liability protection will pay the reimbursement.

However, if your cousin slips and falls in the kitchen? That’s not covered. So, make sure to know who is listed and what your insurance covers.

Does Renter's Insurance Cover Injury to a Guest or Third-Party?

Yes, if you’re at fault.

If a guest trips on a rug and gets injured, your personal liability coverage may pay their medical bills, even pain and suffering. Some renters' policies also offer “medical payment to others” for smaller accidents, even if you weren’t at fault.

However, if someone gets hurt outside your home or in shared areas, your landlord is responsible. For injuries in your home caused by someone else, having liability insurance can protect you from lawsuits and high costs.

Common Accidents Covered Under Renters Insurance (And What’s Excluded)

Some accidents are covered. Others? You’re on your own. Here’s what your renter's insurance usually covers:

• Slip and fall incidents inside your unit (guest trips on wet floor)
• Dog bites (If your pet isn’t an excluded breed)
• Renter’s home water damage from a leak or burst pipe
• Property damage caused by you to someone else’s stuff (like a broken laptop)
• Injuries from tree falls if you’re liable under the lease
• Fires and smoke-related injuries caused by tenants  

And here’s what’s not covered:

• Injuries to you, your roommate, or live-in family
• Intentional acts, negligence, or criminal activity
• Injuries from a home business or side hustle
• Accidents caused by excluded pets
• Anything happening in common areas (that’s the landlord’s problem)
• Motor vehicle accidents (those go under auto, not home insurance)

If you're ever unsure, read your policy or ask your insurance company directly.

Will Landlord’s Insurance Cover Personal Injury?

Generally, no. Landlord’s insurance isn’t designed to cover either your injuries or your family’s. It’s for the building itself, not the people renting it. Unfortunately, if you fall inside your rental unit, you’re responsible. In such a case, your health insurance will pay for the medical bills.

However, there’s a catch. If the injury happened because of the landlord’s negligence (like a rotted porch or broken stairs), their liability insurance might cover it. And if they refuse to do so, you have the option to sue for the injury.

In the case of guests or third parties, it depends on where the accident happened. If it’s in a common area like a hallway, sidewalk, or entryway, that’s the landlord’s turf. So, in this case, their property insurance may help. However, if it’s inside your unit, that’s usually on you.

How to Prevent Injuries and Protect Yourself Legally

You can’t stop every accident, but you can avoid most.

Start by fixing what’s broken. Loose tiles, frayed wires, slippery floors, or anything that looks risky? Immediately report it to your landlord or repair it yourself if you’re responsible.

If you’re a pet parent, train your pet to behave around visitors. If your dog bites a guest, it’s more than bad manners, and it could lead to a lawsuit.

If you own a pool, fence it. Simple.

Document everything. Photos, emails to your landlord, and incident notes all protect you. It’s all about being a responsible tenant.

Also, check your own renter’s insurance policy. Know what your liability insurance actually covers. You can add medical payment coverage if you host often.

And one more thing! Communicate. Talk to your insurance company, read the fine print, and don’t wait until something happens to understand your coverage.

Interesting Fact: While renters are not covered by their landlord's insurance, about 45% of renters in the US do not have renter's insurance.

How and Where to Get the Right Renter’s Insurance

Get renter’s insurance before something happens, not after.

If you’re renting, moving in, or signing a new lease, that’s your cue. Initiate by knowing what you actually need. Do you want just property coverage, or do you also need strong liability coverage in case someone gets injured?

You should look for policies from a reliable renters insurance company that cover water damage, theft, personal injury, and personal possessions (e.g., laptop, electronics, jewelry). Check your policy limit. Compare deductibles, and ask what your insurance covers in real-world scenarios.

Still unsure? That’s where we come in.

At L.A. Insurance, we make home renters insurance easy and affordable. Explore our affordable renters insurance policy today. Get a renters insurance quote to compare it with other providers. It won’t take you more than a few minutes to do so.

Our affordable insurance agency has helped over 10 million policyholders across Michigan, Colorado, Texas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, and Nevada.

We’re known for affordable, reliable coverage and real people ready to help you find an agent and choose the right renters policy. Contact us today.

FAQs: Renters Insurance and Personal Injury Coverage

What does personal injury mean in renter’s insurance?

The term “personal injury” in the context of insurance can have varying interpretations depending on the type of policy. In homeowners and renters insurance, it traditionally addresses non-physical harms like defamation, slander, libel, or invasion of privacy for which the policyholder might be liable. In a broader aspect, personal injury does indicate a lot of things, including physical harm (e.g., cuts, bruises, fractures, illness) and non-physical harms such as damage to reputation, emotional distress, and the violation of privacy rights.

What is typically not covered by renters insurance?

Renters insurance won’t cover injuries to you or your roommate/family, property damage you cause to yourself, or accidents in common areas. It also excludes intentional harm, criminal activity, and damages from excluded pets, flood, or earthquake (unless you add flood insurance or other extras).

Does renters insurance cover personal injury in Michigan?

Renters insurance in Michigan covers personal liability. This means it helps pay for medical expenses if someone gets injured in your rental. It can also cover legal fees, damages, guest medical payments, and temporary housing if needed. While it’s not legally required, some landlords may ask for it. Coverage starts at $1,000 for medical payments. Check with your insurer for more details.

What will happen to the personal injury coverage in case of at-fault and no-fault situations?

If you’re at fault, your personal liability insurance can cover the injured party’s expenses, including medical bills and legal fees. In no-fault cases, medical payment coverage (if added to your renters policy) may help pay small expenses like an X-ray or clinic visit, even if you weren’t responsible.

Does renters insurance cover personal injury on their property?

It depends on who is hurt and where. If a guest slips and falls and gets injured inside your rented unit and you’re at fault, your renter's liability insurance can help. But if it’s you, your roommate, or family, that injury won’t be covered. The landlord may be liable if the accident was caused by their negligence.