For the most part, landlords' insurance does not cover the tenants' personal property. Nor is the landlord liable for damage to the tenant's property if the damage was not caused by the landlord's act or omission. The landlord is probably not responsible for damage to the tenant's property caused by flooding, frozen pipes, theft, etc., that is not directly the landlord's fault. It is recommended you obtain Renter's Insurance to protect your property. You will want to weigh the costs and benefits of renter's insurance for your particular situation. The importance of comparison shopping cannot be overestimated. Rates and coverage will vary widely from company to company, so contact several different agencies. Look under "Insurance (Home)" in the yellow pages and begin telephoning insurance agencies. Here is a list of items you will want to check as you shop around:

1. Type of coverage -- many companies will cover:

• damage to your personal property from fire, smoke, vandalism, wind, hail, and water (caused by bursting pipes),

• theft of personal property on and off the premises,

• personal liability for lawsuits if, for example, your dog bites a neighbor or someone slips on an icy sidewalk that you were responsible for cleaning.

2. Amount of Coverage -- The minimum allowed by law is $6,000.00.

3. Non-insurable items -- Some companies will not insure certain items, such as stereos.

4. Cost and Deductibles -- The cost of a policy will depend on your living situation and is based on such factors as the number of apartments in your building, the construction of your building, whether you live alone or with roommates (most companies require that every roommate carry Renter's Insurance in order for any roommate to be insured).

5. Some students may be covered by their parents' homeowner's policy, so check with your family's insurance agent to find out to what extent you are already covered.