Do you need renter’s insurance on base?

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Melanie Holochwost
  • Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Because of a change to Defense Department policy, renters insurance is no longer included for incoming service members who choose to live in base housing.

Due to the potential for severe weather at all Air Force Special Operations Command bases, AFSOC leadership strongly recommends that housing residents secure a renter’s insurance policy to protect themselves.

Base housing representatives inform new residents during the move-in process that renter’s insurance is no longer a part of basic allowance for housing, and encourage them to acquire coverage, according to Brandon Masters, Corvias Military Living regional public affairs manager.

“Renter’s insurance protects personal property in the event of a natural disaster,” Masters said. “It also covers the costs of replacing or repairing personal belongings due to unintentional damage.”

In a statement, Corvias said they are taking the following approach with current and future residents.

• Corvias will continue to provide insurance coverage to existing residents that moved in prior to Jan. 1, 2015 until further notice. This includes existing residents moving from house-to-house due to construction, family status change and rank change.

• Corvias will insure 2015 rate BAH residents that moved in between Jan. 1, 2015 and March 31, 2015 until further notice. Corvias will provide at least 60-days’ notice before termination of policy.

• Corvias does not insure 2015 rate BAH residents who move in after March 31, 2015.

• Corvias does not require residents to acquire insurance.

The appropriate amount of renter’s insurance coverage is a personal decision that should be based on the value of one’s personal belongings, Masters said.

“As a point of reference, the renter’s insurance policy previously provided through Corvias Military Living included $20,000 personal property and $100,000 liability per occurrence with $50,000 on fire legal liability,” he said. “The deductible on personal property was $250 and the liability deductible was $0.”

Masters said there will be exceptions to this policy that will be handled on a case-by-case basis. The community office team will work through those issues with affected residents.

For questions and concerns related to this policy change, contact a local housing office.