Toggle Renters Insurance Review
Joy Wallet is advertiser-supported: we may earn compensation from the products and offers mentioned in this article. However, any expressed opinions are our own and aren't influenced by compensation. To read our full disclosure, click here.
Renters insurance is a must if you rent an apartment or single-family home. Your insurance coverage will kick in if your personal property – such as your laptop, smartphone, furniture, clothing, or bicycle – is damaged, destroyed, or stolen.
In a covered event, your renters insurance will pay you to help replace your items. Say a fire destroys your laptop, clothing, and furniture. How much would it cost you to replace this property? Could you afford the price tag with a new wardrobe, living room set, and computer? Renters insurance lessens the financial hit in case disaster strikes at your rental.
This insurance also pays out if someone is injured while visiting your apartment. Say a guest falls down the stairs from your bedroom to your living room and breaks an ankle. Your renters insurance will help cover the cost of any medical bills you’ll have to pay for that guest. And if the guest sues you, your insurance will help cover your legal costs.
It’s financially foolish to skip out on renters insurance. But what insurance policy should you choose?
If you’re interested in tweaking your coverage by adding extra protection for more expensive items such as artwork or your smartphone, adding coverage for injuries and damages caused by pets, or covering the equipment you use for a side hustle, insurance company Toggle might be a good choice.
Here’s what you need to know about this insurance provider.
In this article
What is Toggle renters insurance?
Los Angeles-based Toggle provides renters, home, and auto insurance. And while Toggle might not be a household name, the company is part of the larger Farmers Insurance group. It has an A rating from AM Best for financial strength.
The company provides renters insurance in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
If you don’t live in one of these states, you can’t apply for a renters insurance policy from Toggle.
Basic: The liability coverage many landlords require + a little coverage for your stuff.
Standard: A step up from Basic for the person who has a little more stuff they want to cover.
Premium: Next level coverage for folks living large with nicer items they want to protect.
Toggle offers three levels of renters insurance coverage: a basic plan, which includes the liability coverage that many landlords require and a lower level of coverage for your personal items; a standard plan, which provides a greater coverage level for your personal property; and a premium plan, which is designed for renters who also own more high-value items that they need additional protection to cover.
Toggle renters insurance policies last for 12 months. After this term, you can extend your policy, end it, or rework it.
Applying for a Toggle insurance policy will not hurt your three-digit credit score. Toggle says it might access your credit information when determining the cost of your renters insurance policy. But this is considered a soft inquiry that will not cause your credit score to fall.
Toggle is a fully online company. That doesn't mean that humans don't work for it. Toggle says that when you claim coverage, a claims adjuster will contact you by phone, email, or online chat -- whichever you prefer -- to take additional information.
If you want to reach Toggle, contact the company at on the Toggle website or by initiating a chat session from its webpage. You can also call 855-864-1530 to reach the company’s customer service department.
How does Toggle renters insurance work?
As with most renters insurance forms, Toggle offers personal property and liability protection with its base policies.
Toggle’s personal property coverage kicks in when something you own is damaged, destroyed, or stolen. Say a thief enters your apartment and steals your laptop, stereo, and flat-screen TV. Your personal property insurance will pay out to help you cover the costs of replacing your stolen items.
The same applies if a fire, smoke, or water from a burst pipe destroys or damages these items. Your renters insurance policy will help you cover the costs of replacing this property.
Your coverage extends to when you are outside your rental home, too. Say someone steals your laptop while studying at the library or a coffee shop. Your Toggle renters insurance policy will still pay to help you replace the laptop even though it wasn’t stolen from or damaged in your rental unit.
Your policy will also include liability protection. This coverage kicks in if someone visiting your apartment is injured. Say a visitor falls down your stairs or trips over your living room table and breaks a leg or arm. If that visitor sues you, your renters policy will pay out to help cover your legal expenses. If you need to pay for your visitor’s medical treatment, your policy will again payout.
Signing up for a Toggle renters insurance policy is easy. First, visit the company’s renters insurance page here. Next, you’ll need to get an online quote for how much a renters insurance policy from Toggle will cost you. To do this, click the “Get My Price” button in the middle of the page.
This will take you to a page asking for your name, address, and date of birth. Fill in these fields and click the "Price it for me" box on the same page. This will take you to a page offering three coverage options: a basic, standard, or premium policy. You'll also see a "Personalize" box at the bottom of all three options. Click that to add extra protection to supplement Toggle's personal property and liability coverage.
Say you choose the standard policy and click the "Personalize" button. You can tweak the amount your policy will cover for items such as fashion and jewelry, technology, furniture, and appliances. Maybe you don't own much jewelry. You might lower the coverage amount for this item to $200. If you instead own a lot of expensive jewelry, you might set your coverage limit for this item to $2,000. Lowering or increasing coverage for any category of personal property will cause your monthly premium to rise or fall.
You can also set your deductible on this page. Your deductible is how much you'll pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. You might set a deductible of $500. This means that you'll pay $500 to cover any damaged or stolen items before your insurance kicks in to cover the rest. You can set a higher deductible of $1,000 or a lower one of $100. The higher your deductible, the lower your monthly premium will be. Just make sure that you can afford to pay whatever deductible you set.
Once you've set these coverage limits, click the box at the bottom of the page that says "Next: Add Ons."
You'll now be able to add extra coverage. This includes coverage for temporary living costs. This coverage, which comes with standard and premium Toggle policies, kicks in if you can't live in your apartment temporarily because of the damage it has suffered, usually from a fire or flood from a burst water pipe. This protection will help cover the cost of renting a hotel or eating meals out while you wait for repairs to your rental unit. You can choose coverage at $50, $100, or $150 daily. The higher limits will cause your policy's premium to increase.
Pet owners can also add Pet Parent insurance, which covers damage caused by your pets, and Side Hustle coverage, which protects the equipment you use for your side business, such as cameras, computers, sewing machines, or payment systems.
You can also add Replacement Cost coverage to your renters policy. If you choose this coverage to add to the monthly premium cost, your policy will pay the exact cost to replace a damaged item, such as a TV, instead of its depreciated value.
Say your TV is destroyed. Under the standard Toggle coverage, the insurer will pay out according to that TV’s current value, which is probably lower than what a replacement unit would cost. If you have Replacement Cost coverage, Toggle will pay out an amount equal to what a new TV would cost you today.
Once you tweak your policy, click the "Confirm" box at the bottom of the page. The next page will outline your total plan costs and ask you to set the date you want your coverage to begin. You can start your policy as early as the next day. If you like what you see, click the "Looks good. Let's do it" button. If you want to tweak your policy further, select the "Make changes" option.
What about filing a claim? You can file a claim directly from this page by clicking the “Renters Insurance” box. After you enter basic information about the damages to your items or any property theft, a claims adjuster will contact you by phone, email, or chat. If your items were stolen or vandalized, you'll have to report this to your local police department and then include the resulting police report in your claim.
If items were damaged, you might have to provide photos, receipts, or other evidence to Toggle to prove their value. If someone was injured in your apartment, you might have to show medical bills, legal bills, or other evidence showing the financial hit that you are suffering.
Basic: The liability coverage many landlords require + a little coverage for your stuff.
Standard: A step up from Basic for the person who has a little more stuff they want to cover.
Premium: Next level coverage for folks living large with nicer items they want to protect.
How much does Toggle renters insurance cost?
The monthly price of your Toggle renters insurance policy will vary based on where you live, how much coverage you want, any additional coverages you add, and the size of your deductible.
For a resident of Chicago, though, a Toggle policy might cost $5 a month for basic coverage, $10.75 each month for a standard policy, and $22.25 every month for a premium version.
That standard version of the policy comes with $50 a day in temporary living costs coverage and $100,000 in liability coverage. It also comes with personal property coverage of up to $2,000 for technology, $4,000 for furniture and appliances, $2,000 for fashion and jewelry, $1,000 for creative items such as cameras, lenses, art supplies, and musical instruments, and $1,000 for active items such as sporting equipment, exercise equipment, and outdoor gear.
This policy also comes with a $500 deductible.
If you raise or lower your coverage limits, add extra coverage such as Pet Parent protection, or change your deductible, your monthly premium price will rise or fall.
Features of Toggle renters insurance
What sets Toggle apart from other renters insurance providers? The company offers a few interesting features.
It offers extra protection. Toggle offers several extra forms of protection that you can add to your policy. This includes what the company calls Pet Parent insurance, which will pay out if your pets injure someone or damage your property. It also offers Side Hustle insurance, which will cover the materials and equipment you use for a side job, such as art supplies, cameras, or point-of-sale technology.
It can help you protect your identity. Toggle offers Identity Protector, which provides credit monitoring services to help you spot the signs of identity theft.
Falling deductibles. Every year you don’t make a claim, Toggle will lower your deductible. This means that you won’t pay as much out of your own pocket when you eventually do make a claim.
Additional tech coverage. You can boost the amount of coverage for technology such as smartphones, laptops, and cameras. This extra protection can come in handy if these items are destroyed and you need an extra-large payout to replace them.
Who should get Toggle renters insurance?
Not everyone is a perfect fit for Toggle. However, this insurance provider might be a good choice for certain consumers.
You are on a tight budget. Toggle is a good choice for renters with limited funds. You can qualify for a basic policy for about $5 a month. You can also lower your deductible so that you won’t pay as much upfront when you make a claim.
You work a side gig. Toggle offers extra protection for policyholders' equipment to run a side job. This protection could be important if you need to replace the computers, cameras, art supplies and other equipment that makes running your side job possible.
You frequently travel. Toggle’s renters insurance protection travels with you. If you lose your smartphone in Italy or damage your laptop in Toronto, your policy will pay out, even though your items were not in your apartment when they were damaged or lost.
You have pets. Toggle offers additional coverage for damages or injuries caused by pets. This could come in handy if you have dogs, cats, or even lizards lounging around your rental unit.
Who shouldn’t get Toggle renters insurance?
Despite its pluses, Toggle’s renters insurance isn’t for everyone.
You don’t live in one of the states where this product is available. Unlike some of the bigger names in the industry, Toggle doesn’t offer renters insurance nationwide. Currently, Toggle is available in just 31 states. If you don’t live in one of those states, you won’t be able to apply for a policy.
You want to control your policy through an app. Toggle does not offer a mobile app. That means you’ll have to log into your account from the company’s website. If you don’t want to take this extra step, Toggle might not be your insurer.
Pros and cons of Toggle renters insurance
As with all financial products, there are pluses and negatives with Toggle’s renters insurance. Here is a look at the pros and cons of Toggle to help you determine if this company is the right choice for you.
Pros
- Affordable. Toggle renters insurance is a good choice for renters with limited budgets. You can qualify for a basic policy costing about $5 a month. That might not provide the most extensive coverage, but it will protect personal property and liability.
- Customizable. You can tweak your insurance coverage to reflect your needs. Are you an art student? You can add extra protection to cover your art supplies. Do you have a pet? You can add coverage for damages that your pooch or cat might cause. You can also increase or decrease your deductible and coverage limits, which will cause your monthly premium to rise or fall.
- Easy claims process. You can file a claim easily from your smartphone or laptop by logging into your online account with Toggle. Once you file your claim digitally, a claims adjuster from Toggle will contact you to complete the process.
- Your coverage travels with you. Maybe someone steals your bike while it’s parked at the library. Or maybe you spill coffee onto your laptop at your favorite restaurant. Your Toggle personal property coverage will still cover the damages.
- Perks. Toggle offers a changing array of perks for its customers. For instance, in late November, policyholders could save up to $2,000 on Samsung 4k TVs or $150 off an Aspire laptop.
Cons
- Not available everywhere. Toggle doesn’t offer coverage across the entire United States; instead, it serves just 31 states.
- No mobile app. Unlike other insurance providers, Toggle does not offer a mobile app. To manage your account, you’ll have to visit the company’s website and log into your account.
- Lowest-priced coverage is limited. Toggle’s lowest-priced base renters insurance policy does not offer adequate coverage for most renters. To boost your coverage, you’ll have to pay more. And you’ll probably pay about $22 a month for Toggle’s most comprehensive renters insurance policy.
Basic: The liability coverage many landlords require + a little coverage for your stuff.
Standard: A step up from Basic for the person who has a little more stuff they want to cover.
Premium: Next level coverage for folks living large with nicer items they want to protect.
Toggle vs. competitors
Company | Coverage | Price | Discounts |
Toggle | Renters’ insurance offers personal property and liability coverage. You’ll have to pay extra for coverage for temporary living costs. | $5 - $21 | Will automatically lower your deductible every year in which you don’t make a claim. |
Policies include personal property, liability, and temporary living expenses. Renters can also add extra coverage for more expensive items. | Average $14 a month | You’ll earn a discount if you bundle your policy with pet, life, or auto insurance. | |
GradGuard | Basic renters’ insurance includes personal property, liability, and temporary living coverage. Deductibles can be as low as $100. | Less than $12 a month | None |
Lemonade
New York City-based Lemonade offers affordable insurance policies and operates an online-only service model. According to Lemonade's website, the average price of a Lemonade renters insurance policy across the United States is about $14 a month as of Aug. 1, 2023.
Lemonade says it approves customers for renters insurance policies quickly, with its policies becoming active as early as 12:01 a.m. on the day after its customers activate them.
Lemonade’s policies include personal property protection, liability coverage, and coverage for temporary living arrangements. You can also adjust your coverage levels and deductibles and add extra coverage for more expensive items. You can save money by bundling your renters insurance policy with Lemonade’s auto, pet, or life insurance.
Lemonade does not offer live agents. This is an online-only company where you must sign up for your policy and file your claims through the company’s website or app.
GradGuard
GradGuard is designed specifically for college students living away from home. But you don’t have to live in a dorm to qualify for a GradGuard policy. Available at more than 500 colleges nationwide, the company’s renters insurance protects on-campus and off-campus students.
Because its renters insurance policies are designed specifically for college students, GradGuard insurance offers low deductibles. GradGuard says it offers policies with low deductibles as low as $100.
GradGuard doesn’t rely on credit scores when setting premium prices. This is good for college students who haven’t taken out enough loans or paid enough credit card bills to have a credit score.
The price of a GradGuard policy will vary. But a hypothetical student at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor who lives on campus and chooses a deductible of $100 will receive $5,000 of property coverage and $50,000 of liability coverage for $11.76 a month, or $130.12 a year.
FAQs
How much will a Toggle renters insurance policy cost?
That depends on several factors, including where you live, how much coverage you want, and the size of your deductible. You can typically count on paying from $5 to $22 a month, depending on your coverage limits and any add-ons.
What if my apartment is temporarily uninhabitable?
If you add temporary living coverage, Toggle will help you cover the cost of a hotel stay and any meals you eat while you can’t live in your rental.
Can I add extra coverage to my policy?
Yes. You can add coverage for damage caused by pets to protect the equipment you use for a side gig, replacement-cost coverage, identity protection coverage, and extra coverage for your most expensive possessions.
Can anyone apply for Toggle renters insurance?
No. Toggle only offers this insurance in 31 states. If you don’t live in one of these states, you can’t apply.
Basic: The liability coverage many landlords require + a little coverage for your stuff.
Standard: A step up from Basic for the person who has a little more stuff they want to cover.
Premium: Next level coverage for folks living large with nicer items they want to protect.
The bottom line
Toggle’s renters insurance could be a good choice if you are looking for a low-cost option to cover your possessions and any personal liability costs you might face. But this renters insurance isn’t offered everywhere, and its more basic coverage might not offer adequate protection.
Joy Wallet is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor, financial advisor, loan broker, insurance producer, or insurance broker. Its articles, interactive tools and other content are provided to you for free, as self-help tools and for informational purposes only. They are not intended to provide investment advice. Joy Wallet does not and cannot guarantee the accuracy or applicability of any information in regard to your individual circumstances. We encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific investment issues. Featured estimates are based on past market performance, and past performance is not a guarantee of future performance.
Our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market. We are compensated by our partners, which may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on our site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice. Our editorials are grounded on independent research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services.
We value your privacy. We work with trusted partners to provide relevant advertising based on information about your use of Joy Wallet’s and third-party websites and applications. This includes, but is not limited to, sharing information about your web browsing activities with Meta (Facebook) and Google. All of the web browsing information that is shared is anonymized. To learn more, click on our Privacy Policy link.
Images appearing across JoyWallet are courtesy of shutterstock.com.
Writer
Dan Rafter is a freelance writer who has more than 20 years experience covering personal finance. He's written for the Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, Bankrate, CreditCards.com, Rocket Mortgage, NortonLifeLock and several others.
Share this article
