Portland, OR

Griffis South Waterfront Apartments: Renters Insurance Guide & What It Actually Costs

Last updated May 10, 2026

Looking for the best renters insurance for Griffis South Waterfront Apartments in Portland? We break down what the lease requires, what coverage actually costs here (~$14/mo), the 7 discounts that may apply, and how the major carriers compare for your zip.

Get Renters Insurance for Griffis South Waterfront Apartments

Compare renters insurance quotes in seconds


Renters Insurance at Griffis South Waterfront Apartments

What Affects Your Premium Here

Every building is different. These factors specific to Griffis South Waterfront Apartments can push your insurance cost up or down:

Gated Community

Gated access reduces theft risk — may qualify for security discount

Controlled Access

Electronic/key fob entry — reduces unauthorized entry risk

Dog-Friendly

Dogs allowed — consider higher liability coverage

Theft Reports

2 mentions in Google reviews

Security System Issues

1 mention of broken gates, cameras, or locks in reviews

FEMA Flood Zone

Zone AE — High-risk flood area with base flood elevation. Flood insurance strongly recommended.

FBI UCR

Property crime rate: 5291/100K (235% above national average)

What You'll Likely Pay

$14

Est. Monthly

$163

Est. Annual

$12

With Discounts/mo

$14

State Avg/mo

How Much Coverage Makes Sense

Renters insurance has two main pieces: personal property coverage, which pays to replace your belongings if they're stolen or damaged (think furniture, electronics, clothes), and liability coverage, which protects you if someone gets hurt in your unit or you accidentally damage someone else's property. Here's what we'd recommend for Griffis South Waterfront Apartments based on the rent level and building features.

Personal Property

What your stuff is worth

$30,000 recommended

If you own less

$20,000

If you own more

$50,000

Liability

Covers accidental harm & lawsuits

$300,000 recommended

Dog-friendly community — higher liability recommended for pet-related incidents

How Carriers Compare for This Area

Not all carriers price the same zip code equally. Here's how the major options stack up near Griffis South Waterfront Apartments:

Carrier Monthly Annual
Lemonade $8/mo $98/yr
USAA $9/mo $111/yr
State Farm $12/mo $147/yr
Progressive $13/mo $160/yr
Safeco $13/mo $160/yr
Travelers $14/mo $172/yr
Allstate $15/mo $184/yr
Nationwide $15/mo $184/yr
Farmers $16/mo $197/yr
Liberty Mutual $18/mo $221/yr

Discounts You May Qualify For

Gated community
-5%
Controlled access
-3%
Sprinkler system
-5%
Claims-free (if applicable)
-10%
Pay-in-full annual
-7%
Paperless/autopay
-3%
Multi-policy bundle
-10%

Next Step

See if you can beat $12/mo

7 discounts may apply here. Real quotes show your actual price — estimates can't.

Compare Quotes Free · No account required

Property Crime & Theft Risk

Renters insurance pricing is driven by property crime — theft, burglary, and vehicle break-ins — not violent crime. Here's what the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting data shows for Portland.

Portland property crime rate

5,291

per 100K residents

235% above U.S. avg

U.S. avg is 1,578 per 100K

Breakdown per 100K residents

Burglary
639 / 200
Larceny / theft
4,005 / 1,172
Vehicle theft
647 / 206

U.S. average

Higher-than-average property crime is why insurance carriers charge more in this zip code — your premium reflects the claims frequency for the area. Griffis South Waterfront Apartments also has on-site security features (Controlled access, Property manager on site, Gated, Package lockers, Sprinklers, Covered parking) that insurers recognize with discounts.

Source: FBI UCR Program, Portland (2024-12 to 2025-11)

What Residents Are Saying

Based on Google reviews, here are the issues residents mention most often — and the ones that matter when choosing your coverage. Longer bars indicate more frequent discussion.

Maintenance Issues Common topic
Theft Mentioned
Safety Concerns Mentioned
Security System Failures Mentioned

What residents talk about most

Security

A recurring concern in reviews

“Car theft, vandalism and broken windows happen on a daily basis as well as bike theft.” — Google reviewer

On-Site Security

Controlled access Property manager on site Gated Package lockers Sprinklers Covered parking

Natural Hazards & Your Renters Coverage

This is one of the situations where the off-the-shelf renters policy leaves real exposure on the table. Griffis South Waterfront Apartments sits in a FEMA flood zone, and the USGS marks the surrounding ground as high hazard for shaking. Standard renters policies cover neither flood nor earthquake — the rest of the section walks through what that means in dollars and what add-ons are worth pricing.

Flood damage

This address is mapped into a Special Flood Hazard Area — FEMA's name for the higher-probability flood zones. Your landlord's building policy doesn't extend to your possessions, and a standard renters policy explicitly excludes flood damage. NFIP renters coverage starts around $99 a year and is usually the simplest path to closing the gap.

FEMA Zone AE — High-risk flood area with base flood elevation

Flood insurance strongly recommended — standard renters policies exclude flood damage.

What to know about flood insurance as a renter:

  • Your landlord's building policy does not cover your belongings
  • NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) offers renters policies starting around $99/year
  • Private carriers (Neptune, Wright Flood) may offer lower rates
  • Most flood claims in this zone are for personal property, not structural damage

Most flood claims renters file in zones like this one are for personal property — laptops, mattresses, instruments — not structural damage. That's exactly what a renters-targeted flood policy is designed for.

Flood zone data from FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL). Zones can change — verify at FEMA Flood Map Service.

Earthquake shaking

At this hazard level, the question isn't whether a damaging earthquake is possible — it's how to handle the fact that a standard renters policy excludes the damage if one happens. Earthquake endorsements priced for renters typically run $50–$150 annually and cover personal property only (no structural coverage; that's already the landlord's responsibility).

High seismic hazard · ground motion 0.55g

A renters earthquake endorsement covers personal property only and runs roughly $50–$150 a year — structural damage is the landlord's responsibility.

Hazard data from USGS National Seismic Hazard Model. The ground-motion figure is the level USGS expects to be exceeded with about 2% probability over a 50-year horizon — the standard reference used in building codes.

Severe weather you'd actually claim for

Severe-weather activity in Multnomah County is at the low end. Standard renters insurance already covers wind and hail damage to your stuff, so the data below is more context than coverage gap.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, annual averages from the past five years for Multnomah County. Counts reflect reported events, not damage amounts.

For an address with overlapping exposure like this one, the sensible step is to price each endorsement individually before deciding what to add to a base policy. Carriers price these add-ons inconsistently, so a single bundled quote rarely tells the full story.

650 S Gaines St, Portland, OR 97239

Southwest Portland

Managed by Griffis Residential Built 2009 22 stories 294 units
4.3/5 ·165 reviews Google
5/5 ·6 reviews Apt. Finder
$1,514 – $3,079 /month

Monthly Cost Breakdown at Griffis South Waterfront Apartments

The listed rent isn't the whole number. Here's what Griffis South Waterfront Apartments actually costs each month once you add required fees and insurance.

Total Monthly Cost $1,528 – $3,093
Base Rent $1,514 – $3,079
Est. Renters Insurance $14/mo

Fees Beyond Rent

These are the additional charges beyond base rent at Griffis South Waterfront Apartments. Some are monthly, some are one-time — all of them affect your actual cost of living here.

Required Fees

Gas & Electric

Charged per unit.

Varies / mo

Common Area Electric

Charged per unit.

Varies / mo

Trash

Charged per unit.

Varies / mo

Water & Sewer

Charged per unit.

Varies / mo

Screening

Charged per unit.

$18

Pets Fees

Pet Rent

Max of 3. Charged per pet.

$50 / mo

Parking Fees

Garage Parking - Reserved

Max of 3. Charged per vehicle.

$235 / mo

Garage Parking - Reserved Motorcycle

Max of 3. Charged per vehicle.

$25 / mo

Garage Parking - Reserved EV Charging

Max of 3. 250.00 + Usage Charged per vehicle.

Varies

Optional Add-On Fees

Resident Lounge Rental

$150 (2 hours) Charged per unit.

Varies / occurrence

Situational Fees

Early Lease Termination

150% of Monthly Rent Charged per unit.

Varies / occurrence

Transfer

50% of Monthly Rent Charged per unit.

Varies / occurrence

Pet Policy

Bringing a pet? Here's what Griffis South Waterfront Apartments allows — and keep in mind, if you have a dog, most insurance advisors recommend bumping your liability coverage to at least $300,000. Standard renters policies cover pet-related incidents, but the default $100,000 limit may not be enough if something happens.

Cats and Dogs Allowed
3 Pet Limit

About Griffis South Waterfront Apartments

Year Built: 2009
Stories: 22 stories
Units: 294
Management: Griffis Residential
Phone: (503) 855-6172

From the property listing:

Griffis South Waterfront offers pet-friendly apartments with studio, one and two-bedroom options. Each apartment features an in-home washer and dryer, central air conditioning, a dishwasher, and stainless steel appliances. Residents can enjoy such as a hot tub with cabanas, onsite garage parking, and a 24-hour fitness center. The apartment community offers easy access to the South Moody and Gaines stop on the Portland Streetcar’s North-South Line, making it simple to navigate the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Griffis South Waterfront Apartments require renters insurance?
We didn't find a public insurance requirement for Griffis South Waterfront Apartments, but that doesn't mean there isn't one. Many communities add the requirement during lease signing. It's worth asking the leasing office directly — and even if it's not required, a policy typically runs under $20/month and covers you against theft, fire, and liability.
How much is renters insurance at Griffis South Waterfront Apartments?
For this zip code and building type, expect to pay around $14/month ($163/year). Griffis South Waterfront Apartments has security features that qualify for discounts — with those applied, you could pay as little as $12/month. For context, the statewide average is $14/month, so this building is right around average.
What will I actually pay per month at Griffis South Waterfront Apartments?
Plan for $1,528 to $3,093/month all-in. That's base rent ($1,514 – $3,079), plus roughly $14/month for renters insurance. Most apartment listing sites don't include those last two — so the sticker price can be misleading.
Does Griffis South Waterfront Apartments allow pets?
Yes, Griffis South Waterfront Apartments is pet-friendly. Here are the details: Cats and Dogs Allowed. 3 Pet Limit. If you have a pet, keep in mind that most renters insurance policies cover pet liability — but you may want to increase your liability limit, especially for larger breeds.
How safe is the area around Griffis South Waterfront Apartments?
Property crime in Portland runs noticeably higher than the national average — 5,291 incidents per 100,000 residents versus the U.S. average of 1,578. That's the metric insurance carriers care about most for renters coverage, since property crime (theft, burglary, vehicle break-ins) drives most claims. Burglary specifically is 639/100K here. On the property itself, you'll find controlled access, property manager on site, gated, package lockers — features that can qualify for premium discounts.
Does Griffis South Waterfront Apartments need flood insurance?
This property sits in FEMA flood zone AE (High-risk flood area with base flood elevation). Standard renters insurance does not cover flood damage — you'd need a separate flood policy or endorsement. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) offers renters policies starting around $99/year, and private carriers like Neptune and Wright Flood may offer competitive rates.
What floor plans does Griffis South Waterfront Apartments offer?
There are 59 floor plans to choose from, spanning 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, studio layouts. Rent ranges from $1,514 – $3,079. Your unit size can affect your insurance cost too — a larger unit typically means more belongings to cover.
Is SafeButler affiliated with Griffis South Waterfront Apartments?
No. SafeButler is not affiliated with Griffis South Waterfront Apartments or its leasing office, property management, or owner — this page is not the official renters insurance page from Griffis South Waterfront Apartments. SafeButler is an independent renters insurance comparison platform; the information shown here is compiled from public sources and renter quote data, not from Griffis South Waterfront Apartments directly. For lease, payment, or maintenance questions, contact the Griffis South Waterfront Apartments leasing office.
What is SafeButler and how does it work for Griffis South Waterfront Apartments renters?
SafeButler helps renters at Griffis South Waterfront Apartments compare renters insurance options for their lease. On this page, renters can find lease-required coverage minimums where available, an estimated monthly premium for this address, the property's risk profile (crime and flood zone), and any discounts that apply to the building — then compare carriers side by side to find appropriate coverage levels. For renters at Griffis South Waterfront Apartments in Portland, OR, SafeButler can compare price, coverage, deductible options, and any lease-required coverage minimums in a single flow. SafeButler may show quotes from carriers such as Lemonade and Liberty Mutual where available. SafeButler does not sell insurance directly and is not tied to one insurance company, so renters can choose the option that best fits their needs.

Real quotes · under a minute

Ready to lock down coverage at Griffis South Waterfront Apartments?

I'll line up top carriers side by side — pre-filled for this building so the proof of insurance is one click away.

Disclaimer

The information on this page — including rent prices, fees, floor plans, amenities, insurance requirements, and safety data — is collected from publicly available sources and may not reflect the most current details. Apartment communities may update their offerings, policies, and pricing at any time. Always confirm details directly with the leasing office or the community's official website before making any decisions.

SafeButler Inc. strives to ensure that the information on this site is up to date, but we will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. This site and all materials contained on it are distributed and provided "as is" and "as available" for use. SafeButler.com makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the operation of this site or to the information, content, materials, or products included on this site. You expressly agree that your use of this site is at your sole risk.

Your privacy

We use cookies to run this site, measure how it's used, and support our advertising. See our Privacy Policy for details.