If you are thinking about becoming or already are a landlord, or currently are one, make sure your insurance game is up to par. Lessor’s risk coverage protects landlords against disasters as well as lawsuits.
How much coverage you require will depend on both your property and personal liability tolerance; but as general guidelines:
Building Coverage
Landlord insurance policies protect your investment by covering both physical damage to the property and any legal fees or damages awarded due to lawsuits. Since these policies typically sell per-peril basis, their costs can differ widely, however its most vital elements include building and liability coverage.
Landlord insurance differs from homeowners’ policies in that it can cover vacant and tenant-occupied properties alike, meaning you can get a separate policy tailored specifically to protect the risks your rental property poses, such as vandalism, water damage and break-ins.
Building coverage (also referred to as lessor’s risk insurance) on landlord insurance policies is designed to cover the rebuilding costs in case your property is damaged or destroyed, thus offering higher coverage limits than homeowners’ policies do.
Liability coverage in your landlord’s insurance policy serves to protect you if one of your tenants or guests becomes injured while on your rental property and decides to sue. This may happen for various reasons, including:
Assume your tenant slips and falls on ice that wasn’t cleared away or sanded before falling down; or that a tree root uproots part of the sidewalk outside your rental property and sends pedestrians tumbling downhill. Should either of these incidents result in legal fees and/or court awards against your rental property, landlord liability insurance can provide essential support in covering legal costs as well as potential court awards granted by a judge.
Landlord insurance may not be mandatory by law, but it can be an excellent investment for property owners looking to safeguard their investments. At Obie, we can offer you a landlord insurance quote in minutes; no paper applications needed nor lengthy wait times for quotes – simply a fast and straightforward way of providing you with protection that you require.
Our independent agents can work with you to assess your needs and find the appropriate landlord liability coverage. They’ll review available policies from multiple insurers in order to find you the most cost-effective policy – they’ll even help break through all the technical insurance jargon to make sure you fully comprehend it all!
Liability Coverage
Landlord liability coverage protects landlords against the financial repercussions of claims brought by tenants and others visiting their properties, such as legal fees or judgments awarded against them if a lawsuit is filed, as well as medical bills and losses associated with claims, or even death claims that arise as a result.
Landlords have an obligation to ensure the safety of those who enter their properties, but things can go awry at times due to appliance malfunction, someone sustaining injuries on the premises or damage done by thieves or vandals. A landlord insurance policy with liability coverage will come in handy here: the insurer will work towards settling claims with claimants or representing landlords in court proceedings as needed.
Homeowners usually carry standard home insurance policies for both their primary and secondary properties, but when renting them out as rental properties they need a separate policy tailored to their landlord-tenant relationship needs. Such an insurer’s coverage options could include “Additional Structures Coverage,” which offers protection for detached garages/sheds/sheds/sheds located elsewhere on the property that aren’t part of its dwelling structure itself.
A landlord policy usually includes coverage for rental income, which allows landlords to recompense tenants for lost rent in the event that damage renders their property inhabitable and renders it inhospitable to tenants. This type of protection is essential for those relying on rental income to cover mortgage or other expenses.
Coverage needs for landlords can differ depending on their property and tenant count; it should include enough coverage to restore and rebuild any emergency or catastrophic events that occur on-site, and protect tenants in case any third parties become injured on site.
Umbrella Coverage
Personal umbrella policies provide peace of mind knowing that in the event you’re sued, your assets won’t become accessible to third parties. While these policies can be expensive, personal umbrella policies offer relative peace of mind when the limits of other policies have been exhausted.
Typically, you should obtain at least $1 million worth of coverage. How much you need will depend on both your net worth and risk tolerance – for example if you possess significant assets at an increased risk for litigation, more coverage might be warranted.
Liability coverage requirements will also depend on how many units are in your rental portfolio. A smaller rental with four to four units requires less coverage, since larger properties present greater opportunities for accidents and damage than their smaller counterparts.
Standard landlord policies usually contain between $100,000 to $300,000 of general liability coverage for landlords, in order to meet most local rental ordinances and protect yourself from lawsuits by tenants who become injured on your property. It is advised that at least this level is maintained.
Landlords should also consider purchasing personal umbrella insurance, which provides additional liability protection at a nominal additional cost. It will protect them in case an incident exceeds the base limit of their underlying policies such as when their dog bites someone who visits your rental property or an uninsured driver hits their car.
As a landlord with multiple properties, it is strongly suggested to obtain an umbrella policy with higher liability limits per property. Remember that standard landlord insurance won’t cover personal items inside buildings such as art or furniture – so make sure you secure separate personal umbrella coverage for these items as well.
Simply stated, building and liability coverage must cover your investments should they become destroyed or damaged. To determine exactly how much coverage is necessary for you, speak with an advisor who can assess the specifics of your individual situation and provide insight.
Additional Coverage
Cost of landlord insurance varies based on its location, size and condition. Other considerations include type of property and deductible amount. Your location plays an integral role as it increases risk from vandalism, burglaries and natural disasters – your broker can assist in determining an adequate coverage amount based on this factor alone.
Landlord liability coverage shields landlords from lawsuits brought by tenants should they become injured on your property, or have possessions damaged as a result. Many landlords choose to increase their coverage beyond what comes standard by purchasing umbrella coverage – typically up to $1 million worth in fees and damages are covered under such policies.
Landlord insurance only protects the building itself; homeowner policies typically cover its owner and all their belongings as well. As a result, it’s crucial that landlords don’t over-insure their properties.
Consider purchasing additional coverage for items such as the replacement value of appliances, furniture and personal belongings owned by your tenant. Loss or destruction can result in emotional distress lawsuits from tenants; some landlords require them to get renter’s insurance as partial or full compensation may be provided by this type of coverage.
An independent insurance agent can assess your needs and recommend the ideal coverage for your property, comparing policies from multiple insurers in order to find one that fits within both your requirements and budget. They’re an invaluable resource as they are uncommitted to any particular insurer, providing impartial advice while helping landlords qualify for discounts or special programs not offered through their current insurer.
