Walk into my apartment, and you’ll notice something: There’s hardly anything in it. It’s sparse, austere, and minimalistic; most of all, purposeful. A table, chairs, my bed – not many extras.

I’ve rented for years now, and I’m not sure I ever want to purchase a house. In a previously written article for PTMoney.com, I cataloged the many reasons why I hesitate to buy. Home insurance may never be applicable to me, but what about renter’s insurance?

Multi-Line Discounts

Every time I call Geico to ask for discounts or check my car insurance premiums, a representative suggests a particular “discount” for also having renter’s insurance. Invariably, I ask what that costs. Would having a multi-line discount make my overall bill cheaper? No.

Unfortunately, this multi-line “discount” is simply a marketing ploy to attract non-critical consumers. Do yourself a favor and ignore these enticements.

Fear Factor

…what if your apartment gets burglarized? Or, worse yet, suffers smoke damage in a fire? Some renters may think that everything they have inside their apartments is insured under the landlord’s policy, but that only covers the building itself. (Source)

Renter’s insurance is often motivated by fear of the unknown. A fire, flood, burglar, or any other risk may enter your apartment and destroy what’s rightfully yours. This destruction is not covered by landlords.

If you have a wealth of materials in your house, renter’s insurance may be for you. It’s a hedge against negative events. The insurance company lets you pay a small fraction of the total worth on the actuarial assumption that you won’t need the money.

Minimalism

There’s a way to avoid renter’s insurance, feel safe, and live a comfortable life. The secret is minimalism. This term represents a movement towards the essential; basically, eschewing all that’s superfluous for what really matters.

Minimalism can be a powerful tool to feeling free from worry. If there’s nothing to burn or steal, why do you need renter’s insurance? When I go on vacation or leave my home, I’m comforted by my bare apartment. What could anybody want? What’s the worst that could happen?

Yes, my table, chairs, pictures, and electronics could morph into charcoal and dust if a fire occurred. But I place no value in these inexpensive things that are easily replaceable. They’re not worth a monthly hedge that drains my budget even further.

And if you choose to plaster the walls with pictures of loved ones and heirlooms, there’s a priceless nature to these things. Geico doesn’t care about priceless – nor could they actually replace them.

What Should You Do?

When it comes time to consider renter’s insurance, take a critical eye to this apparent money saver. Potentially, it may drain your budget, while making you feel safe.

The decision is yours.

Just know that safety doesn’t always need to be purchased. Sometimes, it takes a philosophical change, instead. That’s where minimalism can help.