Does Renters Insurance Cover Power Outages?

Isn’t it inconvenient if the power suddenly goes out? A power outage can be frustrating and even costly. In 2022, Americans experienced an average of 5.5 hours without electricity, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). An article by the U.S. Census Bureau reported that approximately 19.9% of renters were affected by outages, and 70% of households, around 23.6 million, experienced at least one outage that lasted six hours or more.

Power outages can be caused by many things: severe weather, fires, lightning, equipment failure, or surges in demand. If you’re a renter and frequently deal with power outages, you might be wondering: Does renters insurance cover power outages? The short answer is no. In most cases, renters insurance does not cover power outages, especially if it’s caused by grid failure, storm-related outages without property damage, or negligence.

However, if the power outage leads to covered peril like fire, vandalism, or water damage from a burst pipe, your insurance policy may cover damages, including food spoilage, temporary housing, or loss of use.

Coverage depends on the details of your insurance policy, the cause of the outage, and whether any direct property damage occurred. If you’re unsure, review your policy documents or speak with your insurance provider. Read on to learn more about what renters' insurance covers during power outages.

When Does Renters Insurance Cover Power Outages or Power Surge Damage?

As we answered, renters insurance doesn’t usually cover basic power outages. But there are exceptions when the outage is linked to covered peril.

A covered peril means something your insurance policy protects against, like fire, vandalism, or water damage. If the events causes or result from a power outage, you’re likely protected.

Here are situations when your renters insurance policy may offer coverage:

• A lightning strike causes a power surge that damages your electronics or appliances.
• A storm knocks over a tree, causing property damage and an electricity outage.
• Vandalism to your building’s electrical system causes a power outage and damages your personal property.
• A burst pipe from freezing temperatures leads to water damage and makes your home uninhabitable.
• A fire starts from a surge and forces you out; loss of use coverage may pay for a hotel stay.
• If a wildfire forces evacuation and loss of power, you’re covered for both temporary housing and lost groceries.
• A power surge leads to a kitchen fire that damages your furniture, laptop, TV, clothing, or other electronics.

In these scenarios, your renters insurance policy may cover:

• Repair or replacement of personal property
• Reimbursement for food spoilage
• Loss of use coverage for hotel stays or other expenses
• Protection under personal property coverage and liability insurance

If you need any affordable renters insurance coverage from a reliable insurance agency that offers personal property coverage, liability coverage, and additional living expenses (ALE), contact L.A. Insurance today. Our comprehensive coverage options include power outage-related damages as well. Whether you’re in Michigan, Texas, Colorado, or any other state, our independent renters insurance agents or franchise can provide you with an instant and cheap renters insurance quote. 

When Are Power Outages Not Covered by Renters Insurance? 

Renters insurance won’t cover every power outage. In fact, most outages are excluded unless they involve property damage or covered peril. If the electricity goes out and nothing breaks, your insurance provider likely won’t help with any expenses or reimbursement.

Here are common situations where you’re not covered:

• A grid-wide blackout happens, but your apartment stays physically intact. Your insurance policy won’t pay for spoiled food.
• You forget to pay the electric bill, and the power gets cut. That’s not covered. It’s considered negligence.
• Your refrigerator fails due to old age, and your groceries go bad. Normal wear and tear isn’t insured.
• A flood knocks out power, but your standard renters' insurance doesn’t include flood insurance. That coverage requires a separate policy.
• A pest chews through wiring and causes an outage. Pest-related damages are almost always excluded.
• You leave your freezer door open by accident. The resulting food spoilage is seen as your fault and not a covered peril.
• A regional natural disaster, like an earthquake, causes the outage. Without special coverage, your renters insurance policy won’t help.

Please note that if there’s no actual property damage, loss of use, or listed peril, the insurance company will likely deny the claim. Therefore, always read your policy carefully.

Learn More: Does Renters Insurance Cover Broken Windows?

Does Renters Insurance Cover Hotel Stay During Power Outage?

Renters insurance may cover a hotel stay, but only if a covered peril made your home unsafe or unlivable. If the power outage causes no real damage, you likely won’t get help with temporary living expenses or a place to stay.

You’re only covered when the outage is tied to property damage or named peril listed in your insurance policy. Here’s when hotel coverage may apply: 

• A pipe bursts after the heat goes out. Your apartment floods, and you need to leave immediately.
• A lightning strike causes a fire. The building is evacuated. You can’t stay there during repairs.
• A kitchen fire sparks from a power surge. Smoke damage makes your rental too dangerous to stay in.

In these cases, your loss of use coverage, AKA Additional Living Expenses (ALE), may pay for:

• A hotel room
• Extra food costs
• Laundry or pet boarding
• Any other necessary living expenses

But if the power outage is just inconvenient, not just destructive, your insurance company likely won’t cover any costs.

Related Reading: Does Renters Insurance Cover Personal Injury?

Does Renters Insurance Cover Food Loss from Power Outage?

The short answer is sometimes. Your renters insurance might cover food spoilage, but only if a covered peril caused the power outage.

If your refrigerator stops working during a blackout, you’re not automatically covered for the cost of lost food. However, coverage depends on the cause of the power outage, not just the fact that your food went bad.

Here's when renters' insurance covers food loss:

• A lightning strike triggers a power surge, and your fridge fails. The food inside spoils, and you might get reimbursement.
• A storm damages your rental, causing an outage and ruining your groceries.
• A burst pipe causes water to flood your kitchen, damaging appliances. Food spoilage could be part of your insurance claim.

But here’s when it won’t:

• A city-wide blackout happens, but your home stays intact. Your renters' insurance provider won’t cover spoiled food.
• You left the freezer door open. You won’t be covered as this will be considered negligence.
• If a pest damages the wire and leads to a power cut to your fridge, you’re not covered.

We also recommend checking your deductible first, if you’re eligible to file a claim for food loss. If you have a $500 deductible, and your food is worth less than that, it won’t be a smart idea to apply for reimbursement.

Also, note that some insurance companies may offer optional equipment breakdown coverage. This can protect both your fridge and the food inside.

Does Renters Insurance Cover Food Loss from a Broken Refrigerator?

Yes. Renters' insurance may pay for food loss, spoiled in your fridge, freezer, or kitchen due to certain causes. If the broken refrigerator is caused by a covered peril like fire, theft, robbery, water damage, or a power surge, your carriers will cover it.

On the other hand, if your refrigerator stops working due to normal wear and tear, and age, or poor maintenance, your insurance won’t cover it. However, as we said, some insurance providers offer equipment breakdown coverage. This may include spoiled food if the fridge breaks from mechanical or electrical failure.

But remember, if you do file a claim for food loss under this coverage, you’ll still need to pay the deductible first. And the coverage limit is applicable as well, often around $500.

Pro Tip: Whatever happens, always remember the simple rule of thumb. No peril, coverage.

Learn More About Renters' Insurance Coverage:

• Does Renters Insurance Cover Theft?
• Does Renters Insurance Cover Storage Units?

Real Life Example of a Power Outage Insurance Claim

After a severe storm in Michigan, Detroit area, Amanda lost power in her apartment for three days. Her refrigerator stopped working, and everything inside spoiled.

No lights. No AC. She just noticed melted ice cream and the slow smell of bad chicken.

Frustrated, she turned to Facebook for advice. Someone in her neighborhood group replied, "File a claim! I got $400 back for food spoilage after last summer’s outage."

Amanda wasn’t sure if her renters' insurance covered it. But she checked her insurance policy anyway. The storm had knocked a tree into her building. The property was partially damaged, and she had proof. That meant it was tied to a covered peril.

She filed a claim for the food loss, included photos, and listed everything that had spoiled, including her frozen shrimp stash and oat milk.

A week later, her insurance provider reimbursed her $412, minus her deductible. The takeaway from this is that it wasn’t the power outage itself that triggered coverage. It was the property damage caused by the storm. Without that, she wouldn’t have received a dime.

Tips to Prevent Power Surge or Power Outage Damages

If you want to make sure a power outage or surge doesn’t result in any damage or spoil your food in the fridge, keep in mind the following tips:

• Use surge protectors for all major electronics and appliances.
• Unplug devices during storms or high wind events.
• Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed during outages.
• Install a thermometer inside the fridge to monitor food safety.
• Store a few ice packs and a cooler for emergencies.
• Create an inventory of food in your fridge for future claims.
• Add equipment breakdown coverage to your insurance policy, if available.
• Invest in a small generator to power essentials during an outage.
• Check if your landlord offers surge protection or electrical inspections.
• Know your deductible and what your insurance company requires for proof.
• Keep backup lighting like flashlights or battery-powered lanterns on hand.
• Review your renters insurance policy yearly for any gaps in coverage.
• Know the emergency number for your local utility provider.
• Discuss shared food losses with roommates, each needs their own insurance policy.

Final Thoughts: Is Power Surge Damage Covered by Renters Insurance

Power surges or power outages aren’t usually covered on their own. But if they lead to property damage from a covered peril, your renters insurance policy will reimburse it. However, we strongly recommend checking your coverage type, limit, and covered perils list in the policy terms. For better protection and peace of mind, you can include equipment breakdown coverage as well.

FAQs Related to Renters Insurance and Power Outage Damages

Does homeowner's insurance cover damage from a power outage?

It depends. Homeowners insurance may cover damage if a covered peril, like lightning, or fire, caused the outage.

What does renters insurance cover during a power outage?

It may cover food spoilage, electronics, or loss of use. However, to become eligible for this claim, the cause of power outage should fall under a covered peril such as fire, vandalism, storm, or lightning. If the power outage caused by flood results in food damage in the freezer, you won’t be covered unless you have a separate flood insurance policy from National Flood Program. Keep in mind that standard renters insurance usually don’t cover flood, earthquake, negligence, or regular wear and tear.

What do I need to file a claim for power outage damages?

To file a claim for power outage related damages, you need:

• Proof of covered peril (like photos or repair reports)
• A detailed list of damaged items or spoiled food
• Receipts or estimated costs
• Your insurance policy number
• To meet your deductible
• Quick contact with your insurance provider

Are landlords responsible for power outages?

Yes but only if the outage is due to the renter’s property’s faulty wiring or negligence. Otherwise, it’s not their legal liability.

Does renters' insurance cover power outages in Texas?

Only if the outage results from a covered peril like a storm that causes property damage. Grid failure are excluded. According to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), some homeowners or renters insurance policy may reimburse for up to $500 for spoiled food if the power fails under certain circumstances.

Does Michigan renters insurance cover power outage?

Usually not. Renters insurance in Michigan may only cover damage related to a power outage if it results from a covered event, such as a tree falling on your property or severe weather events like a storm. Review your insurance policy terms, specifically the section on covered perils, to understand which events qualify for power outage-related coverage. Keep in mind that if the electricity goes out due to grid failure, utility company issues, or situations where the outage does not directly affect your rental property, you’re not likely covered.