You can get 6-month renters insurance, though most major providers don't offer it as a standard policy term. We recommend buying a 12-month policy from a provider with a no-fee cancellation policy, then canceling at the six-month mark and collecting your pro-rated refund. Insurers like Lemonade are your best options for this approach. Both waive cancellation fees entirely and process refunds through their apps in minutes.
Six-Month Renters Insurance Policy
Updated: June 14, 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–$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 Students
Semester-based leases (typically August–December or January–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 works well for students.
Short-term or Sublet Renters
If 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 Assignments
Remote 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 Moves
Permanent 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–$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? Some providers charge $25 to $50 to cancel early. Others, including Lemonade and State Farm, waive the fee entirely. Get answers in writing before you move forward.
- 2Compare quotes from multiple insurers
When comparing renters insurance quotes, tell each insurer upfront you may cancel within six months. State Farm, Allstate and Nationwide all allow early cancellation with pro-rated refunds, though their fees vary. Lemonade charges nothing to cancel and processes the refund through the app. Comparing at least three providers gives you enough range to evaluate both price and cancellation terms together.
- 3Ask regional insurers about true six-month terms
Smaller regional insurers sometimes write policies with terms shorter than 12 months, but they rarely advertise this. Call two or three local providers and ask directly. If you find 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. If you have a hard move-out date, that window matters. If an insurer can't give you straight answers on fees, refunds and notice periods, that's a reason to shop elsewhere.
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. That's the cheapest route for most short-term renters, and providers like Lemonade, State Farm and Nationwide make it cost-free. 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
Is renters insurance paid monthly or yearly?
You can pay for renters insurance monthly or annually. Policies typically run 12 months, and most major insurers give you the choice of billing frequency at sign-up.
Can I get renters insurance for just one month?
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.
Is short-term renters insurance worth it?
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.
Can I pause renters insurance instead of canceling it?
Most insurers don't offer a pause option. If you need to stop coverage temporarily, you'll typically need to cancel the policy and buy a new one when you're ready to resume. Before canceling, confirm your provider's refund policy and whether a gap in coverage could affect your rate when you reapply.
Will canceling a renters insurance policy early hurt my credit or insurance history?
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 insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he has produced original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.
He covers economics and insurance at MoneyGeek, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other outlets.
Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data. No insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.
Fitzpatrick earned his degrees from Johns Hopkins University (M.A. Economics and International Relations) and Boston College (B.A.). He began his career in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.