Landlord Insurance
Owning a rental property comes with responsibilities that are different from owning the home you live in. Landlord insurance can help protect your investment property, your financial interests, and your liability as a property owner.
Depending on the property and policy, coverage may address the building itself, certain other structures, loss of rental income following a covered loss, and liability arising from ownership or operation of the property.
What can landlord insurance cover?
Dwelling or building Coverage for the physical structure of the rental property against covered causes of loss.
Other structures Certain detached structures or other property associated with the rental, subject to policy terms.
Landlord-owned property Certain appliances, furnishings, equipment, or other property you provide for tenants may be covered.
Loss of rental income Coverage may help replace qualifying rental income when a covered loss makes the property uninhabitable, subject to the policy's terms and limits.
Landlord liability Protection when you are held responsible for covered bodily injury or property damage arising from ownership or operation of the property.
Medical payments to others Certain medical expenses arising from injuries to others, subject to policy terms and limits.
Additional coverage options Depending on the property and its characteristics, additional protection may be available.
How is landlord insurance different from homeowners insurance?
A property you rent to tenants isn’t necessarily exposed to the same risks, or eligible for the same coverage, as your primary residence.
A homeowners policy is generally designed around owner-occupied residential property, while landlord coverage is designed with the property’s rental use in mind.
For example, a rental property may have considerations involving:
Rental income
Tenant occupancy
Landlord liability
Property management arrangements
Multiple units
Landlord-owned furnishings or appliances
Vacancies between tenants
Property maintenance and renovations
It's important to tell your insurer how the property is actually being used.
Using an owner-occupied homeowners policy on a property that is being rented can create coverage issues.
What about my tenants’ belongings?
Your landlord insurance generally isn’t intended to insure your tenants’ personal belongings.
Your tenants should have their own renters insurance to protect their personal property and provide their own liability coverage.
As a landlord, you may also choose to require tenants to maintain renters insurance as part of the lease.
Have a tenant who needs coverage?
What if the property is vacant?
A property that is vacant or unoccupied for an extended period can present different insurance considerations.
This can happen when you’re between tenants, renovating or remodeling, preparing a property for sale, waiting for a new tenant, holding a property as an investment, and completing repairs after a tenant moves out.
Standard landlord coverage may have specific vacancy provisions, limitations, or exclusions. If your property is currently vacant, or you expect it to be, it's important to discuss that with your insurance professional rather than assuming your existing policy will respond the same way.
What isn’t covered?
Landlord policies have exclusions, limitations, and conditions that vary by policy. For example, standard landlord coverage generally isn’t intended to cover:
Normal wear and tear
Routine maintenance
Deterioration
Certain types of water or seepage damage
Tenant belongings
Certain losses associated with extended vacancy or unapproved property use
I'll help you identify important exclusions and determine where additional or separate coverage may be appropriate.
Earthquake and flood damage generally require separate insurance, rather than being automatically included. If you are concerned about earthquake or flood exposure, please explore their coverages at the links here:
How much landlord insurance do I need?
There’s no single coverage amount that works for every rental property. I'll help you consider:
The property’s characteristics and construction
Estimated cost to rebuild the structure
Number of units
Expected rental income
Landlord-owned contents and appliances
Liability exposure
Property management arrangements
Any requirements from a lender, HOA, or other interested party
Whether the property is occupied, vacant, or undergoing renovations
Together, we will discuss your property and the way you actually use it, and we can develop coverage that protects your investment property and the income it is intended to generate.
Ready to protect the property behind your rental income?
Whether you’re planning to start leasing your property and need coverage, or are simply wondering whether your current landlord insurance coverage still makes sense, I can help you explore your options.
At this link, please select Property under the Personal category when submitting your quote request.
Landlord insurance available in*:
California
Texas
*Licensing does not guarantee that every insurance product or carrier is available in every state. Carrier appointments, underwriting requirements, product availability, and eligibility vary by state and by individual risk.
If I am not currently licensed to offer the insurance solution(s) you are seeking in your state, I may be able to obtain the necessary licensing or connect you with a licensed professional who can assist you.
Carriers I offer coverage with:
