How to use the renters insurance calculator
Go room by room. For each category, estimate what it would cost to buy similar items new today. Do not use what you paid years ago, and do not use resale prices. Enter 0 for any category you do not have.
The calculator adds the categories and rounds the total up to the next $5,000. That number is a starting point for your personal property limit, the most your policy would pay for your belongings in one covered loss.
A second worked example
What the result means
The suggested limit is for personal property only. A renters policy has other parts too:
| Part of a renters policy | What it pays for | Covered by this estimate? |
|---|---|---|
| Personal property | Your belongings after a covered loss such as fire or theft | Yes |
| Liability | Injuries or damage you cause to others | No |
| Loss of use | Extra living costs if a covered loss forces you out | No |
| Medical payments to others | Small medical bills for guests hurt at your home | No |
| Scheduled items | High-value items listed one by one | Only as a reminder |
Our renters insurance guide explains each part and how to choose liability limits.
Rules that change the answer
- Sub-limits. Many policies cap payouts for certain items, such as jewelry, firearms or collectibles. The Insurance Information Institute says jewelry and similar items are generally covered up to about $1,500 (accessed October 2026).
- Off-premises limits. Some policies pay less for items stolen away from home, such as from a car.
- Flood and earthquake. Standard renters policies usually exclude them. Renters can buy contents-only flood coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program. Our flood and earthquake insurance guide explains the options.
- State programs and rules. Each state regulates renters insurance; your state insurance department can answer questions about policy terms.
Common mistakes
- Guessing too low. Small items, like clothes, kitchen gear and chargers, add up fast.
- Using what you paid. Prices rise. Use today’s cost to replace.
- Choosing actual cash value without knowing it. Check whether your policy pays replacement cost.
- Ignoring sub-limits. A single valuable item can be underinsured even when your total limit is high.
- Not keeping an inventory. Photos and receipts make claims faster and easier.
When should you redo the estimate?
Redo it when you move, buy expensive items, get married or combine households, or at each renewal. If you later buy a home, our dwelling coverage estimator helps with the house itself.
How the calculation works in plain words
The tool adds your seven categories together to get the total replacement cost of your belongings. It then rounds that total up to the next multiple of $5,000. For example, $19,000 becomes $20,000 and $21,500 becomes $25,000. The rounding gives you a small cushion, because most people forget some things, and prices tend to rise over the life of a policy.
The jewelry check is separate from the total. If the jewelry and watches you entered are worth more than $1,500, the result reminds you that many policies limit how much they pay for jewelry theft. This does not change the suggested limit. It is a prompt to read the sub-limits section of your policy and to ask about scheduling valuable items.
Tips for a quick, honest estimate
- Start with the biggest rooms. Furniture and electronics in the living room and bedroom usually make up a large share of the total.
- Open closets and drawers. Clothes, shoes, bedding and kitchen gear are easy to undercount.
- Look up a few prices. Check what a similar sofa, laptop or mattress costs new today, and use those as anchors for the rest.
- Include shared items. If you live with a partner who is on your policy, count their belongings too.
- Save your list. A list with photos is the start of a home inventory, which makes claims faster.
When in doubt, round up rather than down. Raising a personal property limit by a few thousand dollars often costs little, but only your insurer’s quote can confirm that.
Where to find your numbers
Look at receipts, online order history and store websites for today’s prices. For electronics, check the current price of a similar model, not the one you bought years ago. For furniture, compare with a similar new piece at a mid-range store. If you already have renters insurance, your current personal property limit and deductible are on your declarations page, and sub-limits for jewelry and other valuables are in the policy wording.
