(TheLoop21) — Hurricane Irene left lots of damage to rental properties that aren’t covered.  Purchasing insurance policies are normally overlooked when natural disasters haven’t taken place for some time. Hurricane Irene has reminded the 3.3 million people left in the dark that such investments are needed during times like this.  A 2006 Insurance Research Council poll found that 96% of homeowners had homeowners insurance while only 43% of renters had renters insurance. Why such a big difference? “Some renters are under the impression that it’s the landlord’s responsibility to get them insurance coverage,” Michael Barry, Vice President of Media Relations for Insurance Information Institute, told the Loop 21. “Before a renter moves in to a unit, they ought to talk to the person who issues their auto insurance policy because many auto insurers will also offer renters insurance,” Barry advised.