I need to get rental insurance, where should I look and what should I look for?

There are actually thousands of insurance companies and it's hard to figure out which one to choose. Price is the factor that most people go by, but I would recommend choosing a company who has a good reputation and will be there for you if and when you file a claim. You may want to ask your friends, family, neighbors, or co-workers who their insurer is, and if how they would rate them. You should also take a look at customer satisfaction ratings on the companies to help choose, and this is the link to the JD Power & Associates ratings:
http://www.jdpower.com/finance/ratings/homeowners_insurance/index.asp

The most important thing you need to know is THERE IS NO INSURER WHO COVERS FLOOD. Flood insurance is written through the government (FEMA), but most major insurers can write you a separate policy through FEMA for flood coverage. You also need to be aware that the definition of flood in the policy is not necessarily what we think of as a flood, and certain types of water losses are considered flood. If you choose not to take flood insurance, you will not be paid for any "flood" losses.

As far as renters insurance, it is a standardized form across the industry, and essentially any company will offer the same coverage. The company I write for offers a minimum of $10,000 contents coverage. You should make sure you consider all of your contents in your coverage amount--pots & pans, furniture, clothes, electronics, curtains, etc. It is typically inexpensive for renter's insurance and you shouldn't take lower coverage thinking it's cheaper to do so.

The standard renters policy will cover only your contents, and the owner of the building would insure the structure. The standard policy is called a "named peril" policy in which the policy would only pay for losses which are caused by the ones specifically listed in the policy. There listed losses your policy would pay for are: fire & lightening, windstorm & hail, explosion, riot or civil commotion, aircraft, vehicle, smoke, vandalism & malicious mischief, theft, broken glass, volcanic eruption, falling object, weight of ice/snow/sleet, accidental discharge of overflow of water (toilet or washing machine overflowing), sudden and accidental tearing apart, freezing, artificially generated electric charge. If something else happens to your property and was not caused by one of the above perils, your policy wouldn't pay.

Every single property insurance policy excludes flood, earthquake, war, nuclear hazard, neglect, or intentional damage. Although there are endorsements or separate policies where you could buy separate coverage for these types of losses. You should call a licensed insurance agent to get a quote and take out a policy. You probably won't see much variation in the price between different insurers, but if you have an auto policy, you'd most likely be eligible for a multi-line discount if you take out a renter's policy with them as well.