JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS. Va. –
Following recent changes to Department of Defense Basic Housing Allowance policies, U.S. Service members living in privatized base housing will no longer automatically receive renter's insurance through property management companies.
Since privatization, Service members who live in military housing communities were automatically provided renter's insurance through the terms of their lease agreement with property management companies who were compensated through monthly BAH allotments for rent, utilities and renters insurance.
The DoD eliminated the BAH renter's insurance component, which was calculated into monthly rates, in September 2014, following recommendations from the DoD comptroller to limit allotments for the purchase, lease or rental of personal property. The regulation took effect Jan. 1, 2015.
Additionally, the DoD waived the renter's insurance component from the program in an effort to slow growth of certain military pay and benefits in a fair, responsible and sustainable way.
At Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Service members living in privatized housing both on- and off-base will be affected by the changes later this year.
Langley Air Force Base
Langley Family Housing, run by Hunt Companies, will handle the DoD-wide changes in three different ways for U.S. Air Force Airmen renting on Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, or at the off-base privatized housing community:
- Airmen who signed an initial 1-year lease prior to March 20, 2015 will continue to receive renter's insurance through the housing agency for the remainder of the lease. After the completion of the initial 12-month lease, the renters will no longer receive coverage.
- Airmen who completed the initial year-long lease agreement and now lease on a month-to-month basis will continue to receive renter's insurance through Nov. 1, 2015.
- Airmen who entered or will enter into a lease agreement on or after March 20, 2015 will receive renter's insurance through Nov. 1, 2015.
Fort Eustis
Balfour Beatty Housing will handle the new regulations for U.S. Army Soldiers who live at Fort Eustis, Virginia, on the following basis:
- Soldiers who lived in post housing prior to March 1, 2015 will receive coverage until Dec. 31, 2015.
- Soldiers who entered into a lease agreement on or after March 1, 2015 do not receive renter's insurance.
Currently, neither housing agency requires residents to obtain private renter's insurance to live in their respective communities, but strongly encourages all Service members to maintain independent coverage from a reputable agency.
When searching for renter's insurance, Service members are encouraged to thoroughly research the plan's terms and company's history and reputation. JBLE legal officials recommend reviewing plans from multiple insurance companies to find the plan that best fits the renter's needs.
When reviewing a plan, it is paramount to conduct cost analysis and weigh the benefits of deductible rates and maximum coverage. Renters must also review each plan to determine which items each policy covers and which it excludes.
Service members who have questions regarding acquiring an insurance policy may contact their respective legal offices at Langley or Fort Eustis.
For more information, call Langley Family Housing at (757) 865-1188 or Balfour Beatty Housing at (757) 369-1336.