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Does this cover my kid's bike?
Yes — your kid's bike is covered under personal property protection, whether it's stolen from the sidewalk, the hallway, or the back of your car.
The only caveat: there's a sub-limit for bikes over $500. If it's a pricier ride, you can add a $3/month rider and cover it for full replacement value. We'll never surprise you with that at claim time — you'll see it clearly in your policy summary.
What if my landlord sues me?
This is what liability coverage is for. If your landlord (or a neighbor) sues you because someone got hurt in your apartment or your bathtub overflowed into the unit below — Shield covers your legal defense and any settlement, up to your policy limit.
Standard Shield plans include $100,000 in liability. You can increase that to $300K for an extra $2/month. Most renters never need it. But single parents often feel better knowing it's there.
My laptop was stolen from my car. Am I covered?
Yes, with one note: standard renters insurance covers theft from your home. Your car is considered "off-premises," so there's typically a sub-limit — usually $1,500.
Shield's Anywhere Coverage add-on removes that cap. Your laptop, tablet, or work gear is covered whether it was in your apartment, your car, or a coffee shop. Because your office is wherever your kid's school schedule forces you to work.
Can I pause if I move?
You can update your address mid-policy with zero fees. Your coverage moves with you — no cancellation, no reapplication, no gap in protection.
If you need to pause (say, you're staying with family for two months between leases), you can freeze your policy for up to 60 days. Your history stays intact, your rate stays the same, and there's no penalty when you resume.
What is a deductible, in plain English?
A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. If your deductible is $500 and your claim is for $1,200 in stolen items, Shield pays you $700.
Shield plans default to a $500 deductible — the sweet spot for most single-parent budgets. You can lower it to $250 (monthly rate goes up slightly) or raise it to $1,000 (monthly rate drops). You choose what matches your emergency fund.
Can I cancel anytime without fees?
Yes. No cancellation fee, no early termination penalty, no phone call required. Cancel from your dashboard in two clicks and your policy ends immediately (or at month-end — your choice).
We'll pro-rate and refund whatever days you paid for and didn't use. Most insurance companies quietly hope you forget to cancel. We make it easy on purpose.
How do I file a claim at 11pm?
File a claim in the Shield app at any hour — no hold music, no business-hours-only windows. Snap photos, describe what happened in plain language, and submit. That's it.
A real person (not a bot) reviews your claim within 2 hours during business hours, or first thing the next morning if you filed overnight. For straightforward claims under $2,000, we've automated approval — you'll often see a decision in under 20 minutes.
How fast will I actually get paid?
Once your claim is approved, payment hits your bank account or Venmo/Zelle within 24 hours. For emergencies (fire, burst pipe, break-in), we can advance funds the same day — just flag it as urgent when you file.
We don't mail checks. We don't make you wait 7–10 business days. Single parents can't afford that timeline.
Does my partner or roommate count?
A live-in partner can be added to your policy for free — just list them as a household member when you sign up (or add them later from your dashboard).
A roommate who is not your domestic partner counts as a separate household and needs their own policy. This is a legal distinction, not a upsell — two separate policies actually give you more protection than one shared one.
What about pet damage to the apartment?
Shield's liability coverage protects you if your pet injures someone. But damage your pet causes to the apartment itself — chewed baseboards, scratched floors — is not covered by renters insurance. That's considered normal wear and tear by your lease.
Where Shield helps: if your landlord tries to charge you for pre-existing damage and your pet gets blamed, your policy documentation (move-in inspection records stored in your Shield dashboard) is evidence you can use.
Try Shield with zero commitment. No credit card. Cancel anytime. Takes two minutes to set up.