What Is a Landlord Insurance Policy and Do You Need It?

Make Sure You Protect Your Investment with the Right Kind of Insurance

Understanding Landlord Insurance: Coverage and Considerations

Landlord insurance encompasses various types of coverage, with property insurance being the most commonly discussed among real estate investors. In exchange for your regular premium payments, your insurance provider steps in to cover a range of expenses when specific incidents covered by your policy occur. This system closely resembles the way standard homeowner's insurance functions, shielding against diverse types of damages. However, it's worth noting that landlord insurance doesn't extend its protection to furniture or personal belongings. Tenants are encouraged to secure their own renter's insurance to safeguard their possessions. So, what exactly does landlord insurance cover? Let's break it down:


Coverage under Landlord Insurance

Landlord insurance covers four major categories:

  • Buildings and Dwellings: Rental property insurance shields the physical structure of the building, including any fixtures and permanent structures. It may also extend to additional structures like sheds or detached garages.
  • Personal Property: This facet of landlord insurance protects the landlord's personal property within the rental unit, including items such as furniture and appliances. The personal property provision of a policy is especially important for properties that are being rented out as furnished or partially furnished.
  • Liability: Liability coverage provides protection against claims arising from injuries or damage to tenants, guests, or other individuals on the rental property. It can also encompass events like libel, slander, and even copyright infringement.
  • Loss of Use: Landlord insurance typically covers instances of loss of use. In essence, if your property becomes temporarily uninhabitable due to a covered event, your insurance policy compensates for lost rental income and other expenses associated with repairing the damage.


While landlord insurance goes a long way in safeguarding property owners, it's advisable to urge your tenants to obtain their renters insurance policy. At McKenna Property Managment, we require tenants to purchase renters' insurance that covers at least $100,000 of damage to the property. These policies cover their personal belongings, which aren't part of the landlord's coverage, and offer additional liability protection for you as the property owner. It's essential to note that similar to homeowner's insurance, landlord insurance doesn't include protection against flood damage. However, it often covers other forms of water damage, such as that caused by a leaking pipe.


Determining Your Landlord Insurance Needs

Knowing you need insurance for your property is one thing, but you don't want to be persuaded into purchasing excessive optional coverage. To determine your coverage needs, consider the following factors:

  • Property Value: Since the primary purpose of landlord insurance is to protect the building itself, ensure your coverage at least matches the property's value. This ensures you can rebuild or sell in case of a covered event destroying the building.
  • Value of Property Belongings: Calculate the cost of replacing appliances and major items like water heaters or furnaces. Adequate coverage eases the financial burden of replacing these items in case of tenant-caused damage or unexpected events.
  • Property Location: Is your property in an area prone to theft, vandalism, or natural disasters? Discuss this with your insurance provider to ensure adequate coverage against such events.
  • Number of Tenants: The more tenants you have, the higher the liability. Consider the potential for lawsuits if a tenant or their guest gets injured. Larger complexes with numerous tenants require more comprehensive liability coverage.
  • Budget: Determine how much you're willing to pay for insurance coverage. Lower annual premiums may result in less comprehensive coverage, while higher rates provide more advanced protection.

Landlord insurance is often more intricate than homeowner's or auto insurance, so consulting an agent is crucial to tailor your coverage to your specific needs, given the significant variability between properties and property owners.


Cost of Landlord Insurance

The cost of landlord insurance varies based on factors like property size, location, coverage type, and the chosen insurer. Generally, landlord insurance premiums are approximately 25% higher than those for traditional homeowner's policies, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Basic landlord policies, which are more affordable, typically cover the building, its contents, and liability insurance for injuries and potential property damage caused by tenants. For more extensive protection, you may need to increase your premiums substantially. However, comprehensive policies encompass coverage for lost rental income, tenant-caused damage, vandalism, and malicious damage. When selecting an insurance policy, carefully assess your specific requirements and compare quotes from multiple insurers to secure the best coverage at the most competitive price.


Landlord insurance is a vital safeguard for property owners, offering protection across various categories like building and personal property coverage, liability protection, and compensation for loss of use. While it provides robust defense, it's crucial to also promote renter's insurance among tenants to safeguard their possessions and minimize property owner liabilities.


April 21, 2025
When applying for one of our rental properties, we use a comprehensive screening score sheet to ensure all applicants are held to the same standard. The score sheet evaluates various aspects of your financial stability and rental history, helping the landlord make informed decisions while maintaining a fair and transparent process! Here’s a breakdown of how we assess your application utilizing the screening score sheet: 1. Length of Residency: While longer periods at previous residences typically suggest reliability and commitment, we understand that some applicants may be first-time renters. We welcome first-time renters, and on the screening score sheet, you can assign yourself a "1" under "Length of Residency" if this is your first rental experience! 2. Collections: We review any outstanding collections, including monthly utilities or bills, as well as loans (excluding medical bills). This helps us assess your overall financial responsibility. Your estimated monthly payment for all your loans, utilities and bills is also taken into consideration. 3. Rent-to-Income Ratio (per household): To ensure you can comfortably afford the rent, we require that your monthly income is at least 2.5 times the rent amount. This ratio helps us verify your ability to manage rent payments alongside other living expenses. 4. FICO Score: While there is no specific minimum FICO score, we do take it into account when evaluating your financial health. A higher score indicates a history of responsible credit management. 5. NSF/Late Payments & Landlord Disputes: We look into your rental history to ensure that there are no frequent NSF (non-sufficient funds) or late payments, and that there are no unresolved disputes with previous landlords. Please note that all application charges are non-refundable, and every occupant over the age of 18 must submit a separate application. Our scoring system ranges from 0 to 21, with 15 being the lowest acceptable score. All approvals or denials are ultimately decided by the property owner. We do not operate off a first come first serve basis, so if you are curious about the status of applications prior to applying, please don’t hesitate to call our office! By using our screening score sheet, we aim to create a rental environment where both tenants and property owners can thrive. This score sheet can be found on our site, under the Before You Apply Manual, as well as under “Rental Resources”.
April 16, 2025
Looking to declutter your home while making some extra cash? The outdoor swap meet at the Downtown Recreation Center in Henderson is the perfect opportunity! Whether you’re cleaning out your closets, clearing space in your garage, or finding a new home for gently used toys, books, and clothes, this event is your chance to turn those items into money. Each booth equals two parking spots, and registration is required at least one week in advance. All booths are assigned randomly, ensuring a fair and fun atmosphere for all. Remember, only second-hand items can be sold, so it’s a great way to recycle and give your items a second life. Event takes place April 19th & May 17th! The swap meet opens at 7am, so come early to shop! Admission is free for all ages, making it a perfect outing for families looking to find unique treasures. Ready to get started? Simply register on the City of Henderson website to secure your spot. It’s time to clean out, earn some extra cash, and find something new – don’t miss out on this exciting event at the Downtown Recreation Center!
April 7, 2025
As of April 7th, Appfolio has launched MAX, an innovative AI assistant designed to make submitting maintenance requests easier and faster for all residents! With MAX, getting repairs done quickly and efficiently is now simpler than ever. Here’s how MAX works 1. Click the Blue "New Meld" Button When you need maintenance, simply log into your Property Meld account and click the blue “New Meld” button 2. Troubleshooting with MAX MAX will ask you a few quick troubleshooting questions to help pinpoint the issue and ensure the right work gets done 3. Track Your Request Once maintenance is scheduled, you can easily follow the status of your request right in your Property Meld account.  MAX is here to streamline the process and help ensure your maintenance needs are addressed quickly. MAX™ users are already seeing game-changing results: a 100% accurate work order match rate and 62% of all Melds have photos or videos attached. We’re excited about this new feature and hope you enjoy the improved experience!
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