Best landlord insurance (2024)

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Written by

Grace Kim

Grace Kim

Edited by

Amelia Buckley

Amelia Buckley

Updated Jan 05, 2024

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  • What is landlord insurance?
  • Best landlord insurance companies
  • How to get the best landlord insurance for you
  • Frequently asked questions

Property owners who rent their homes to tenants need a different form of insurance, called landlord insurance or dwelling fire insurance. Traditional homeowners insurance only covers owner-occupied properties. However, homeowners insurance policies do not extend coverage to that same property if it is rented to tenants. If you own a rental property, understanding your need for landlord insurance and its coverage is important. And Bankrate makes it easier to find the best landlord insurance policy by breaking down the top landlord insurance companies, based on our assessment.

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Quick Facts

$382/year

average savings through Bankrate

2 out of 3 homes

are underinsured

1 out of every 20

insured homes makes a claim each year

100% of homes

need insurance before getting a mortgage

Leaving so soon? Your custom quotes are just minutes away.

What is landlord insurance?

Landlord insurance, as the name suggests, covers risk to a property you own and rent out. It works similarly to a standardhomeowners insurance policyand includes many of the same coverage options, with some key differences. Landlord insurance provides coverage if your property is damaged from covered perils, such as fire and windstorm damage. However, it does not cover tenant belongings within the home. For that, your tenants needrenters insurance. Although coverage types may vary by carrier, many landlord insurance policies include loss of rents coverage, which covers lost rental income while a home is uninhabitable due to a covered loss.

Like homeowners insurance, landlord insurance is usually required if your tenant-occupied property has a mortgage. Even if your home is paid off, it may be worth considering having this coverage to avoid rebuilding or repairing your home out of pocket should you incur substantial property damage.

Best landlord insurance companies

To find the best landlord insurance companies, Bankrate’s insurance editorial team reviewed companies based on an array of factors, including financial strength, customer service, coverage options, digital tools and available discounts.

Based on our findings, you might start your search for landlord insurance quotes from these companies:

Insurance companyBest forAM Best rating
AllstatePersonalized coverageA+
American FamilyEnhanced liability coverageA
State FarmCondo and apartment ownersA++
FarmersFirst-time landlordsA
GeicoAccessibilityA++

Best landlord insurance (1)

Best for

Personalized coverage

Allstate may be worth considering for landlords looking for personalized coverage. All Allstate policies come with fair income coverage, which pays the rental income you would otherwise earn if your unit becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss. In addition to standard coverage types, Allstate policyholders can choose from various add-ons, including vandalism coverage for vacant units, building code coverage and rental property under construction coverage. Allstate does not offer online quoting for landlord insurance, so you will have to call the company or contact a local agent for a quote.

Best landlord insurance (2)

Best for

Enhanced liability coverage

American Family may be worth considering for landlords interested in purchasing robust coverage on their properties, such as commercial umbrella liability protection. The company also offers landlord insurance policies for business owners, which cover business essentials that are not covered under typical landlord policies, such as auxiliary structure coverage. Shoppers who are new to property rental and management may appreciate AmFam's Landlord Toolbox, which offers resources on common topics for property owners. These include articles on state tenant laws, property upkeep and tenant selection. However, the insurance company does have limited state availability and no online quote option for landlord insurance.

Best landlord insurance (3)

Best for

Apartment or condo owners

State Farm landlord insurance policies vary based on whether you rent out a home, condo or apartment, with specialized policies for each property type. All three policy types include loss of rents coverage. The carrier's apartment landlord insurance includes equipment breakdown coverage and heating and air conditioning loss reimbursem*nt, while condo landlord insurance includes inflation coverage and loss assessment coverage. Policyholders may also save with potential discounts for home safety devices. If you're having trouble navigating the landlord insurance market, you may appreciate State Farm's many local agents available for face-to-face service.

Best landlord insurance (4)

Best for

First-time landlords

Landlord insurance policies from Farmers are fairly basic, but policyholders can choose from a handful of endorsem*nts, like loss of rents coverage, personal property coverage and other structures coverage. If you’re a first-time landlord, selecting a tenant can be stressful. Farmers offers a quick screening tool called SmartMove, which provides in-depth reports on tenant suitability to potentially minimize risks for landlords. Like most other landlord insurance companies, online quotes are not available for this policy type.

Best landlord insurance (5)

Best for

Accessibility

Geico may be a great landlord insurance company for property owners looking for robust policies with easy digital property management tools. Geico's website and mobile app allow policyholders to easily manage their policies and file a claim on-the-go. The carrier offers standard coverage types, including loss of rent payments coverage, as well as options add-ons like vandalism coverage and additional building code construction expenses coverage. Unlike many competitors, Geico does offer online quoting for landlord insurance. However, policies are underwritten by affiliate companies, so the actual company underwriting your policy may vary.

How to find the best cheap landlord insurance

The best landlord insurance for you may vary based on your property type, location, budget and personal preferences. For example, landlords with multiple properties may appreciate a carrier with an easy-to-use mobile app to easily manage their policies virtually. Landlords with older rental properties may want a carrier that offers building code coverage to financially protect their property while the home is under construction to bring it up to code. To find the best cheap coverage for you, you might consider these steps:

  • Compare coverage options:Included coverage types and available endorsem*nts may vary between companies. Considering your coverage needs and comparing available options from different carriers may help you narrow down which companies might meet your needs.
  • Consider third-party scores and ratings:Organizations likeAM Best,J.D. Powerand theNational Association of Insurance Commissioners(NAIC) review insurance companies based on financial strength, customer satisfaction and digital tool capabilities. Reviewing these metrics may help you determine how well a company might be able to meet your insurance needs.
  • Compare quotes and discounts:Your cost of landlord insurance may vary based on your property’s characteristics, your personal rating factors, your coverage selections and more. Comparing quotes is likely the most accurate way to identify the cheapest company for you. Reviewing potential discounts may also show you where you could save with each carrier.

Speaking with a licensed insurance agent may help guide your landlord insurance shopping process.

Frequently asked questions

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Written by

Grace Kim

Insurance Contributor

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Read more from Grace

Grace Kim has two years of experience in writing for finance and insurance domains such as Bankrate and Reviews.com. She has written about auto, homeowners, renters and life insurance. She has spent most of her professional experience writing about finance and tech topics.

Edited by

Amelia Buckley

Amelia Buckley

Editor, Insurance

Best landlord insurance (2024)

FAQs

Why is landlord insurance more expensive? ›

The primary reasons for the difference in cost revolve around who is occupying the home. Insurance providers often see lower average claim amounts and fewer claims for owner-occupied homes when compared to tenant-occupied rental properties.

What the difference between homeowners insurance and landlord insurance? ›

Think of it this way: You'll want landlord insurance: any time you are renting your entire premises long term and you are not occupying it. You'll want homeowners insurance: if you have a renter staying in part of your home while you still occupy it.

How much is landlord insurance in New Jersey? ›

The average cost of landlord insurance in New Jersey is $1,107 per year. Farmers, NJM, and Obie all offer landlord insurance in New Jersey.

Do I need landlord insurance in Georgia? ›

There is no state law that specifically requires landlords to have insurance in the state of Georgia. If you take out a mortgage to buy the rental property, your lender may require it though as a precautionary measure. That being said, having a rental property without the proper insurance coverage is not advisable.

What is the rule of thumb for landlord insurance? ›

The general rule of thumb for property owners in California is: You need homeowner's insurance if you personally reside in the property that you own. You need landlord insurance if you own a property but rent it to someone else.

What will you most likely need to insure as a landlord? ›

The core coverages of landlord insurance include property damage, liability protection, and rental income lost due to a tenant's inability to rent. Additional riders—or add-ons to policies—can be purchased to cover income lost when a tenant misses a rent payment and flood damage.

What is a DP3 homeowners insurance policy? ›

A DP3 policy is dwelling property insurance that's customized to fit homes with older roofs or homes used as investment properties.

How does umbrella coverage work? ›

Umbrella insurance covers defense costs, judgments and court costs in the event you're sued, and protects against liability related to non-bodily and bodily injuries. An umbrella policy typically covers the following: Personal injury. Bodily injury to others.

Which of the following types of insurance is also known as renter's insurance? ›

HO-4 (tenant's form)

Also known as “renters insurance,” the HO-4 policy won't cover the home's structure.

What are the requirements for landlord insurance in New Jersey? ›

The law mandates that landlords obtain condo or apartment buildings insurance coverage of at least $500,000, to cover any death or physical injuries that may take place on their property. If your rental property is a small, multi-family home, then you are required to have a minimum of $300,000 in liability coverage.

Do you need landlord insurance in NJ? ›

If you own one or more properties you currently rent to others or have plans to rent to others; then you need to purchase a landlord insurance policy. A landlord policy will protect your financial interests in the building and also provide protection for a landlord's premises liability exposure.

Is New Jersey now requiring landlords to maintain liability insurance? ›

If so, then you need to know about the new law that went into effect in New Jersey on November 3, 2022. Under the new law (N.J.S.A., 40A:10A-1-2), the owner of a rental unit or units or the owner of a business is required to maintain certain liability insurance.

Does Georgia require home insurance? ›

Georgia doesn't require homeowners insurance by law, but if you finance your home, your lender may require you to have a homeowners insurance policy in place.

Is renters insurance required in Atlanta? ›

Is Renters Insurance Required in Georgia? Currently, there are no states in which renters insurance is required. But just because it's not required doesn't mean it's a good idea to go without it. Renters insurance can help you protect your belongings from certain types of damage and if they're stolen.

Are landlord insurance policies more expensive than homeowners? ›

Landlord insurance is similar to homeowners insurance policy, but specifically designed for a rental property. Most landlord insurance policies provide liability, property, and loss of income coverage. The cost of a landlord insurance policy is generally 15%-20% more than a homeowners insurance policy.

Why are the premiums for homeowners insurance more expensive than those of renters insurance? ›

Costs of homeowners insurance vs. renters insurance. In general, you can expect your renters insurance quote to be less than for homeowners insurance. That's because homeowners insurance includes the building structure itself, which isn't the case for renters insurance policies.

What is the most common amount for renters insurance? ›

Renters insurance is relatively inexpensive. According to NerdWallet, the average renters policy costs about $15 per month for up to $30,000 in personal property coverage. That's solid coverage for less than the cost of a few cups of coffee a week.

Is renters insurance really worth? ›

Renters insurance coverage is almost always worth it. It is much more affordable than other policies, including home or auto insurance, and provides valuable financial protection. Even if you can save enough money to cover unexpected loss, renters insurance may be worthwhile.

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