What You Need to Know About Landlord Insurance

When it comes to landlord insurance, you have to be extra careful. You can’t simply assume that your property is insured against damages caused by a natural disaster. You need to add a Loss of Rent coverage to your policy. This coverage pays out if your property is unusable due to a disaster. If your landlord insurance policy doesn’t cover your property, you’ll need to purchase renter’s insurance to protect yourself and your tenants.

Regardless of your rental property’s size, you must be careful to choose a plan that meets your needs. Some policies cover property damage, while others cover only your liability for the cost of repairs. You should also consider whether your property is prone to theft or fire. You can always ask the insurer about the details before signing a policy. The cost of landlord insurance will vary depending on the size and type of rental property you own. You should also keep in mind that your liability coverage should match the name on the policy.

When looking for landlord insurance, make sure to ask about limits and deductibles. Deductibles are amounts you pay before your policy kicks in. Limits are the maximum amount of money your policy will pay once it pays a covered loss. Limits vary between policies, and you may be able to set your own. Liability coverage, for example, will cover any medical costs or legal expenses incurred by a tenant if you cause an accident in your rental property.

If your rental property is vacant for a long time, you may want to consider purchasing renters insurance instead. Some landlord insurance policies won’t cover you for the costs of repairs if your property is vacant for several years. The Non-Occupied Dwelling Endorsement will extend your coverage to vacant properties. Heating and air conditioning loss reimbursement will reimburse you for repair costs. This type of coverage is particularly useful if your rental property is subject to flooding or severe weather.

Landlord insurance may also cover certain items a landlord must upgrade. For example, city or county codes may have changed since the property was built. You may be required to replace some of these items as part of the rental agreement. If you decide to do this, landlord insurance will reimburse you for these expenses. Of course, dishwashers and furnaces are excluded from this coverage. Make sure to talk to your landlord insurance agent before making any decisions about your property or rental property.

While landlord insurance covers many categories similar to homeowner insurance, it doesn’t cover your personal belongings. A landlord insurance policy will cover the expenses of repairing or rebuilding your rental home. However, you can purchase a separate homeowners insurance policy for your rental property. But be sure to ask your insurance agent about adding landlord insurance to your homeowners policy before renting out your property. That way, you’ll have coverage for both your home and your tenants.