Days after a massive six-alarm fire at The Cooper apartments in Fort Worth displaced numerous residents, many are grappling with significant losses due to a lack of renters’ insurance, exposing widespread confusion about coverage.
The Fort Worth Fire Department, which described the blaze as one of the largest in terms of displacement in the past 40 years, attributed the accidental fire to an electrical failure in a rooftop air conditioning unit.
Residents like Zaire Harris, who fled his fourth-floor apartment with only “my jacket, shorts, and some slides,” learned the complex’s insurance did not cover personal belongings.
“I thought that it would be five minutes and I would go right back upstairs,” he said, per the Fort Worth Report.
Firefighters recovered his laptop and passport, but Harris, now staying with friends, urged, “I think every tenant should have renters insurance to protect themselves and not put themselves in a position where they are having to start from scratch.”
Lauren Price, another tenant, told FWR that she dropped her renters’ insurance after being told the complex’s policy was sufficient.
“We all feel deceived,” she said after learning from AssetProtect, the complex’s insurer, that tenant policies were not covered.
Price advised, “No. 1, understand your rental coverage and make sure that your policy is one that works for you. Second, I would say go through your house every six months, film everything.”
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) noted that renters’ insurance, which averages $20 per month, covers personal property, living expenses, and liability, but is not required.
“Tenants should always be asking what the complex’s renters’ policy covers,” said insurance adviser Carolina Cox, per FWR.
TDI spokesperson Mistie Hinote suggested using HelpInsure.com for policy details and contacting the apartment owner if they are found to be at fault.
Frustration with management persists.
“They don’t answer emails. They don’t answer texts,” Evelyn Martinez told CBS News, highlighting issues with July rent payments.
Jocelyn Sanchez, who escaped with her cat, expressed concerns about water damage and mold, stating, per CBS, “All that water is going to be in the vents.”
At a Friday giveaway event organized by the Fort Worth Apartment Association, a manager stated that residents could terminate their leases and should email management, who are still addressing July rent refunds.
State Rep. Ramon Romero Jr. praised community support, telling FWR, “The best part about this is the tremendous amount of support coming in from the citizens of Fort Worth.”
He noted challenges in recovering losses without proof of misleading insurance claims and stated that mandating renters’ insurance could financially strain tenants.