Renters information

Hello, so my husband and I have been living with his grandparents for about a year and we’re ready to start looking to rent here in California until I finish school and then buy. I have no idea where to start. What is renters insurance? What would count as good rental reference if We’ve both never rented an apartment/home? How many months in savings should we have? How do landlords choose when there are a bunch of applicants?