Personal Property Coverage Explained for Renters & Homeowners in Connecticut
When people think about insurance, they usually picture the structure—the house, condo, or apartment itself. But one of the most valuable parts of a renters or homeowners insurance policy is actually about something far more personal: your belongings.
From furniture and electronics to clothing, tools, sports equipment, and kids’ items, your “stuff” adds up quickly. And here’s what surprises many Connecticut renters and homeowners:
Your personal property is often covered in more places than just your home.
This guide explains how personal property insurance works, where your belongings are protected, common limitations, Connecticut-specific considerations, and how to make sure nothing important is overlooked.
What Personal Property Insurance Covers
Personal property coverage helps pay to repair or replace the belongings you own if they’re damaged or stolen due to a covered peril such as fire, theft, smoke, vandalism, or certain types of water damage.
Typical items include:
- couches, beds, tables, rugs, home décor
- clothing, shoes, personal items
- TVs, computers, tablets, smart devices
- cookware, dishes, small appliances
- bicycles, skis, golf clubs, musical instruments
- tools, hobby gear
- kids’ toys, strollers, backpacks, school items
If it’s not part of the building and belongs to you, it usually falls under this category.
Read our Renters Insurance in Connecticut page.
Three Main Places Your Belongings Are Protected
1. At Your Home (Primary Residence)
If a covered event—like a kitchen fire, burglary, or burst pipe—damages your belongings inside your Connecticut home, personal property coverage helps repair or replace what’s lost.
Internal anchor + link:
Read our Homeowners Insurance in Connecticut page.
2. Away From Home (Off-Premises Coverage)
Here’s where most CT policyholders are pleasantly surprised:
Your belongings are often covered even when they’re not physically at your home.
This may include:
- a laptop stolen from your car
- luggage taken from a hotel
- a bike stolen while traveling
- items temporarily kept in a college dorm
- belongings stored at a friend’s house
In short, your coverage follows your belongings, not just your address.
Read our Renters Insurance in Connecticut page.
3. In Storage or During a Move
If your belongings are in a Connecticut storage unit or being transported during a move, they are often still protected—as long as the cause of loss is a covered peril like fire or theft.
However, limits may apply for items stored away from home long-term.
Read our Coastal Homeowners Insurance in Connecticut page.
The Most Overlooked Detail: Off-Premises Coverage Limits
Most renters and homeowners policies include a reduced limit for belongings kept somewhere other than the primary residence for long periods.
Example:
- Policy limit: $50,000
- Off-premises limit: 10% ($5,000)
This limit protects against property permanently “living” elsewhere.
Read our Contact Page Insurance page.
Coverage Depends on the Cause of Loss (Important!)
Insurance covers sudden, accidental events — not wear-and-tear or misplacement.
Covered examples:
• theft from a moving truck
• fire in a storage unit
• water damage from a covered leak
Not covered:
• boxes crushed by movers
• items you lose or misplace
• gradual deterioration
Read our Flood Insurance in Connecticut page.
Special Categories With Built-In Limits
Certain items have special caps unless “scheduled”:
- jewelry & watches
- fine art, collectibles
- firearms
- cash
- business equipment/work items
If you own high-value items, scheduled property coverage ensures full protection at appraised value.
Read our Home Business Insurance in Connecticut page.
Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value
Replacement Cost (RCV)
Pays what it costs to buy a new comparable item today.
Best protection.
Actual Cash Value (ACV)
Pays the item’s depreciated value.
Lower payout.
Two policyholders with the same limits can receive different payouts based on which one they selected.
Connecticut-Specific Personal Property Coverage Notes
Flooding Is NOT Covered
Standard renters and homeowners policies exclude flood damage.
Read our Flood Insurance in Connecticut page.
Water Backup Requires an Endorsement
Water backing up from a sewer/drain is only covered if added.
Special Wind or Named-Storm Deductibles
Common for coastal Connecticut homes.
Read our Coastal Homeowners Insurance in Connecticut page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does renters insurance cover belongings stolen from my car?
Yes—if the cause is a covered peril like theft.
Are belongings covered when my child is at college?
Often yes, if they’re still a resident of your household.
Does personal property insurance cover accidental breakage?
Usually not, unless you have specific endorsements.
Is damage during a move covered?
Only if caused by a covered event (not movers’ handling).
How can I protect high-value items?
Schedule them individually for full-value coverage.
To schedule a call, start with our contact form!