Best landlord insurance | Bankrate (2024)

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Best landlord insurance | Bankrate (1)Written by

Grace Kim

Grace Kim

Best landlord insurance | Bankrate (2)Edited by

Maggie Kempken

Maggie Kempken

Updated Mar 14, 2024

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On This Page

On This Page

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

If you are earning income from rental property, your insurance needs aren't the same as those of homeowners. Many insurers offer coverage specifically for rental properties, called landlord insurance or dwelling fire insurance. Although landlord insurance is not required by law in any state, if you have a mortgage on your rental property, your lender is likely to require you to have coverage. Even if you don't have a mortgage, a landlord's insurance policy protects you from financial challenges in the event the building is damaged or destroyed in a storm or other disaster. Bankrate's insurance editorial team reviewed the ins and outs of landlord insurance and assessed some of the companies that are writing landlord policies in the U.S. to help you get started in your search.

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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 standard homeowners insurance policy and includes many of the same coverage options, with some key differences. Landlord building 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 need renters 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 having this coverage to avoid having to rebuild or repair your home out of pocket should you incur substantial property damage due to something that would be considered a covered loss.

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 | Bankrate (3)

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 | Bankrate (4)

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 | Bankrate (5)

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 | Bankrate (6)

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 | Bankrate (7)

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

Best landlord insurance | Bankrate (8)

Written by

Grace Kim

Insurance Contributor

  • Email

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.

Best landlord insurance | Bankrate (9)

Edited by

Maggie Kempken

Maggie Kempken

Senior Editor, Insurance

    Best landlord insurance | Bankrate (2024)

    FAQs

    Who gives the best landlord insurance? ›

    Exceptional Quality Landlord Insurance Winners
    • Budget Direct (Home & Contents Insurance)
    • GIO (Property & Contents Insurance)
    • ING (Building & Contents Insurance)
    • Kogan (Building & Contents Insurance)
    • Qantas (Home & Contents Insurance)
    • Virgin Money (Home & Contents Insurance)
    Jan 1, 2024

    Which insurance is best for investment property? ›

    Landlord insurance: This type of insurance is specifically designed for landlords and typically includes both building and contents insurance as well as additional coverage options, such as loss of rent, malicious damage caused by tenants.

    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.

    Why do landlords want you to have renters insurance? ›

    Without a renters policy in place, damage or injury from a gathering gone wrong could be your responsibility. Renters insurance can help protect a landlord against tenant negligence. Tenant negligence can take many forms, ranging from a kitchen fire while cooking to water damage from an overflowing tub.

    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.

    Is landlord insurance different from homeowners insurance? ›

    While both insurance products are designed for homeowners and policy coverage will vary based on the provider you choose, there is a clear distinction. 'Homeowners Insurance' offers coverage for owner-occupied residential property while 'Landlords Insurance' offers coverage for tenant-occupied residential property.

    What is the 1 rule for investment property? ›

    The 1% rule of real estate investing measures the price of an investment property against the gross income it can generate. For a potential investment to pass the 1% rule, its monthly rent must equal at least 1% of the purchase price.

    What is the greatest risk for investment property? ›

    Key risks include bad locations, negative cash flows, high vacancies, and problematic tenants. Other risks to consider are hidden structural problems, real estate's lack of liquidity, and the unpredictable nature of the real estate market.

    What are the three most common kinds of property insurance? ›

    Understanding Property Insurance

    There are three types of property insurance coverage: replacement cost, actual cash value, and extended replacement costs.

    What is the rule of thumb for rental property insurance? ›

    The general rule of thumb for renters is about 20% more than what homeowners will pay. This is just for basic coverage, namely DP-1. Another factor that will determine your premium is how long the property has been rented out. The longer you rent out your property, the lower the annual premium.

    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.

    What is the biggest difference between home and rental insurance? ›

    The main and most obvious distinction between renters insurance and homeowners insurance is that a homeowners policy safeguards the home's physical structure against covered perils while renters insurance won't protect the home or building occupied by the tenant.

    Who has the cheapest renters insurance? ›

    Our Picks for the Cheapest Renters Insurance Providers
    • Lemonade: Our top pick.
    • State Farm: Our pick for affordable premiums.
    • Toggle: Our pick for custom pricing.
    • Allstate: Our pick for seniors.
    • Nationwide: Our pick for valuable endorsem*nts.

    What are reasons people typically do not get renters insurance? ›

    In fact, according to the Insurance Information Institute, 63% percent of renters don't have renters insurance, maybe because they think it's too expensive, or unnecessary, or they believe they're covered by a landlord or roommate's insurance policy.

    What does renters insurance actually cover? ›

    Renters insurance typically covers fire, windstorms, lightning, explosions, theft, and vandalism. Your personal property, personal liability, additional living expenses, and guest medical expenses are usually covered under your renters insurance.

    Why is my renters insurance so high? ›

    Some location-based factors that impact renters insurance rates can include: The rate of crimes, especially theft, in your ZIP code. The weather and climate in your area, since locations prone to fires, storms and hurricanes are riskier.

    Do I need landlord insurance in QLD? ›

    As in the rest of Australia, Landlord Insurance isn't mandatory in Queensland. It's up to you whether you want to take it out or not. That said, it's common for landlords in Queensland to take out Landlord Insurance.

    What does landlord insurance cover in Victoria? ›

    Your rental property and contents are covered for a range of events including fire, flood, theft or storm. You're not covered for: pre-existing damage to your building and contents. damage caused by vermin or insects, including termites.

    Is landlord insurance tax deductible in Australia? ›

    The policy must directly relate to producing rental income, and protecting the landlord's investment risks. Personal coverage is not deductible. Deductible risks include loss of rent, tenant damage to contents, and legal liability. Premiums covering the structure are not deductible.

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