You can buy 6-month renters insurance, but most major providers don't sell it as a standard policy term. A workaround: buy a 12-month policy from an insurer with a no-fee cancellation policy, then cancel at the six-month mark for a pro-rated refund. Lemonade supports this approach. It waives cancellation fees entirely and processes refunds through its app within minutes.
Six-Month Renters Insurance Policy
Updated: July 24, 2026
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Key Takeaways
We found that true 6-month renters insurance policies are rare among major providers, but you can get short-term coverage by buying a 12-month policy and canceling early, often with a full pro-rated refund.
Cancellation terms vary widely. Some providers charge a $25 to $50 early termination fee, while some app-based insurers like Lemonade charge nothing. We recommend reading the cancellation policy before you buy.
Canceling early won't affect your insurance record or future rates, as long as you stay current on payments and don't file excessive claims.
Can You Get Renters Insurance for Six Months?
Who Needs 6-Month Renters Insurance?
Not everyone searching for short-term renters insurance has the same situation. Based on what we see, most people looking for 6-month policies fall into one of four categories:
College StudentsSemester-based leases (August to December or January to May) mean you may only need coverage for five to six months at a time. A short-term policy or a cancellable 12-month plan is the right fit for students.
Short-term or Sublet RentersIf you're subletting an apartment while you travel or between longer leases, you need coverage, but a 12-month commitment doesn't make sense.
Temporary Work AssignmentsRemote or project-based workers who relocate for three to nine months can benefit from month-to-month or six-month policies rather than locking in for a full year.
Military PCS MovesPermanent Change of Station (PCS) orders can upend your living situation with little notice. A cancellable policy with no termination fee is the most practical option for active duty members.
MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP
Even a one-month rental gap in coverage can cost you. A single theft or water damage claim runs well into the thousands. Most short-term policies cost $14 to $20 per month to avoid that risk entirely.
How to Buy Six-Month Renters Insurance
Finding short-term renters coverage takes four steps. The most critical filter at every stage is the cancellation policy: a no-fee, pro-rated refund policy is what makes a six-month strategy actually work.
- 1Confirm the cancellation terms before you compare anything else
Ask every insurer the same three questions upfront: What's the cancellation fee, if any? Will I receive a pro-rated refund for unused months? How much notice do I need to give? Fees for early cancellation range from $25 to $50 at some providers. Lemonade and State Farm charge nothing. Get every answer in writing before you move forward.
- 2Compare quotes from multiple insurers
Tell each insurer upfront that you may cancel within six months when comparing renters insurance quotes. State Farm and Nationwide allow early cancellation with no fee, while Allstate's fee varies by state. Lemonade charges nothing to cancel and processes the refund through its own app. Get quotes from at least three providers to weigh price against cancellation terms side by side.
- 3Ask regional insurers about true six-month terms
Some regional insurers write policies with terms shorter than 12 months. Most don't list this option on their websites. Call two or three local providers and ask directly. Found one? Compare its monthly premium against your best quote before committing.
- 4Read the full policy before you sign
Even after confirming the basics verbally, read the cancellation section of the policy document. Some providers require 30 days' written notice before a cancellation takes effect. Build that window into your plan if you have a hard move-out date. An insurer that can't give straight answers on fees, refunds or notice is one to skip.
Which Providers Are Best for Short-Term Renters Insurance?
No major carrier writes true six-month policies as a standard term. For all four below, the short-term strategy is the same: buy a 12-month policy, cancel early and collect the pro-rated refund for unused months.
Lemonade | No | None | Pro-rated |
State Farm | No | None | Pro-rated |
Allstate | No | Varies by state | Pro-rated |
Nationwide | No | None | Pro-rated |
How Much Does 6-Month Renters Insurance Cost?
Renters insurance from major national providers runs $58 to $143 for a six-month period. Amica is the cheapest at $58 for six months, and Travelers is the most expensive at $143.
For a six-month strategy, your actual cost is the six-month premium plus any cancellation fee.
$58 | $116 | |
$67 | $134 | |
$72 | $145 | |
$88 | $176 | |
$89 | $178 | |
$93 | $186 | |
Farmers | $125 | $250 |
Travelers | $143 | $286 |
DON'T CANCEL BEFORE YOU HAVE NEW COVERAGE
If you're moving to a new apartment or a new policy, make sure your replacement coverage starts the same day your current policy ends. Even a one-day gap leaves you unprotected, and most landlords require proof of active coverage at move-in.
Six-Month Renters Insurance: Our Bottom Line
Buy a 12-month policy, cancel at six months and collect the pro-rated refund. This approach avoids the higher cost of a true short-term policy. Lemonade, State Farm and Nationwide all waive the cancellation fee, so you keep the full refund. Avoid signing with a provider that withholds unused premiums on cancellation. Confirm the refund policy before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions About 6-Month Renters Insurance
You can pay for renters insurance monthly or annually. Policies usually run 12 months, and most major insurers give you the choice of billing frequency at sign-up.
Most major insurers don't offer true one-month policies. Your best option is a 12-month policy from a provider with no cancellation fee and a pro-rated refund policy. Lemonade, State Farm and Nationwide all allow early cancellation without a fee, so you can cancel after one month and collect a refund for the unused 11 months.
Yes. Renters insurance costs as little as $58 for six months, and a standard policy covers personal property, liability and additional living expenses. If a theft, fire or water damage event happens during a short-term stay, you'd pay out of pocket without it. The cost of skipping coverage almost always outweighs the premium.
Most insurers don't offer a pause option. If you need to stop coverage temporarily, you'll need to cancel the policy and buy a new one when you're ready to resume. Confirm your provider's refund policy before canceling. Also ask whether a coverage gap could raise your rate when you reapply.
Canceling a renters insurance policy early won't affect your credit score. It may appear in your insurance history, and some insurers factor in prior cancellations when quoting new policies. To avoid any impact, cancel only after securing a new policy if you're switching, and avoid letting coverage lapse entirely.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident expert in insurance and economics. He has spent nearly a decade covering the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he analyzes hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.
His work has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR. He draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnerships influence his recommendations.
Mark studied at Boston College before earning a master's in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University. Before MoneyGeek, he worked in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.