Roost Renters Insurance Review: Exclusive Coverage but Poor Customer Satisfaction
Editor's Rating
Roost Renters Insurance is only available to renters whose landlords use AppFolio property management software, a program distributed by Roost's parent company. If your rental unit is in AppFolio's database, you can view Roost's terms of use and buy coverage.
Unfortunately, because of these restrictions, Roost doesn't allow the public to view much about it online. From what we're able to see, Roost provides fairly standard coverage with some perks for a small customer base. Its all-digital interface makes it easy to use, but depending on your state, the user reviews about Roost's underwriting partners raise some questions about customer satisfaction.
Consider the following companies as alternatives to Roost Renters Insurance
Although Roost Renters Insurance offers unique coverage options, its lack of price transparency and limited availability may mean that it is not the best insurer for you. Renters looking for quality insurance may be able to get better deals elsewhere. We recommend the following alternatives if you are not eligible for Roost, all of which made our list of best renters insurance companies.
Roost Renters Insurance: Great benefits but a mixed complaint record
Based on the limited information we can find about Roost, it's an average insurance option for most renters. Its policies come with guaranteed replacement cost protection, but it has a mixed record on customer satisfaction.
Due to Roost's restrictions on who can view its policy details, it's difficult to make a comprehensive account of Roost's insurance products. If you're not in AppFolio's network, most of the information that's available is too general or vague to be very valuable for specific cases.
How much does Roost Renters Insurance cost?
It's unclear what Roost's prices are or what freedom you have to adjust them based on your needs. The average price of renters insurance varies by state and can be between $8 and $55 per month (or $93 to $658 per year).
However, Roost offers multiple pricing options depending on the coverage you desire. After you input your property's information, you can select from one of three prices and coverage levels.
What's covered by Roost Renters Insurance?
Roost offers fairly standard coverage, which is sufficient for most renters. Personal property coverage ranges from $10,000 to $75,000, so you'll get the most use out of Roost if you don't have a large amount of property or you don't have property that's exceptionally valuable.
Personal property insurance protects your belongings, like:
- Jewelry and engagement rings
- Computers and other electronic devices
- Sports equipment and bikes
- Musical instruments
- Artwork
- Cash and banknotes
- Firearms and ammunition
- Collections
The most attractive part of Roost Renters Insurance is that each policy automatically comes with guaranteed replacement cost protection. This means that when you make a claim, Roost won't consider your property's depreciation when calculating your payout. Typically, you must pay an additional charge to get this type of protection from other insurers.
Roost's renters insurance policies come with $100,000 of personal liability coverage in addition to your personal property protection and additional living expenses. Roost also allows you to add roommates to your coverage. You can purchase earthquake insurance if you live in California, and pet insurance is also available.
One unusual benefit at Roost is that you'll be covered for negligent water damage to your residence. If you fail to inform your landlord about a water leak and it causes damage, your Roost policy will pay for the costs of the repair. Most renters insurance does not include this.
Where can I get Roost Renters Insurance?
Roost's renters insurance is underwritten by three separate companies. Together, they offer insurance in all 50 states. However, you can only purchase coverage if your building's landlord or property manager uses AppFolio.
The company that underwrites your policy is important because it will be the one to process and pay out your claim. Therefore, the underwriting company's customer service and financial strength scores should factor into your decision.
Spinnaker Insurance services the majority of Roost policies, while Cypress Property & Casualty Insurance underwrites policies in Florida.
Century-National Insurance underwrites policies in the following states:
Roost Renters Insurance: Customer reviews
The underwriting companies that finance and provide Roost's insurance policies have mixed feedback from customers.
Insurer | NAIC score | Financial strength rating |
|---|---|---|
| Century-National | 1.52 | A+ (AM Best) |
| Cypress Property & Casualty | 0.21 | A (Demotech) |
| Spinnaker | 0.66 | A- (AM Best) |
The NAIC complaint index measures the number of customer complaints made against an insurer in relation to its size. Scores below 1.00 show that a company has fewer complaints than similarly sized insurers, while scores over 1.00 translate to more complaints.
The financial strength rating shows whether a company is expected to be able to pay out claims in difficult economic situations. All three companies have acceptable financial strength ratings.
Due to the unpredictable amount of complaints that Roost's affiliates get, it could be a good idea to search for other providers in your area once you see Roost's prices.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the best renters insurance?
The best renters insurance company differs based on your specific needs. State Farm has the most affordable renters insurance and Lemonade offers renters the best customer service.
How much is renters insurance for an apartment?
On average, renters insurance for an apartment costs $16 a month, or $187 a year. However, that cost can vary significantly based on where you live and the levels of coverage that you choose.
Can I get renters insurance online?
Most major insurers give you the option to buy renters insurance online. Before you get started, inventory your personal property so that you know how much coverage you need for your belongings.
Can I get renters insurance for three months?
Some insurers offer short-term renters insurance for stays under 30 days, but if you're planning to rent for longer, you should purchase a traditional renters insurance policy. Many insurance companies offer policies that last only six months, and some have even shorter terms available. Be aware that you may be charged an early cancellation fee if you don't use the policy for the entire period.
Does renters insurance cover food spoilage?
Yes, if the power fails in your apartment or home and causes your refrigerated food to spoil, most renters insurance policies will cover the loss under your personal property limits.
Methodology
National renters insurance rates were calculated using an average of quotes from the five largest insurance companies in each state, based on data availability. Our sample renter is an unmarried 30-year-old male with no roommates or pets living in a multiunit building. Quotes are based on the following limits:
Coverage | Amount |
|---|---|
| Personal property | $30,000 |
| Personal liability | $100,000 |
| Medical | $1,000 |
| Deductible | $500 |