I am going to be moving into a new apartment complex that requires separate Satellite Dish insurance?

Question

Am moving into new apt. complex - is prewired for Comcast Cable & the apt. company pushes Comcast Cable on everybody. No other cable companies are allowed in but legally they can't keep you from getting Dish Network or DirectTV but they try to make it difficult by requiring you to get a separate rider on your renters insurance that covers the apt. complex & its residents from damages / injuries caused by the satellite dish (yeah right, I know, how is the dish going to damage or hurt anybody?) the thing is NO insurance company will add an apartment complex & all of its residents to my renters insurance policy & all of the insurance companies tell me this is a ridiculous request that is impossible to fulfill, but without this extra "insurance" the apartment complex won't allow Dish or DirectTV to be installed. So I'm thinking this is their way of making sure you have no choice but to use Comcast, perhaps they get kickbacks? How can I bust thru this monopoly?

Answer 1

I think that if you want to use the dish for the Internet you will soon regret the choice in the first place. However, if you feel that strongly about it you can find a different apartment. Is this written in a lease that you have signed already?

If it isn't then just ignore it. If it is you then you have already agreed to it haven't you. Personally I think you're right. It's bloody ridiculous.

Answer 2

This should not be an "extra rider" as your complex put it. I've heard of a few complexes requiring this extra coverage before, though. Your renters insurance covers you for something called 'personal liability'. Most likely, it is set at $100,000. Some complexes may require you to increase this to $300,000, and that may be where they are getting their term "extra rider". This should cover others (anyone, even your neighbors or friends that come into your apt), but is not meant to cover you or your immediate family residing in the apt. Check with your agent about this. Also, ask the agent that handles your renter's policy if your policy covers damages to the property of others. Your apartment complex may just not be very knowledgeable about how to explain what you need for your policy. They might be explaining something you already have, or something very simple to add, and making it seem difficult.