Does Landlord Insurance Cover Legal Costs?

If you are thinking of renting out your residential property, you must look into landlord insurance. The homeowners' insurance will not cover the rented property. It is a very common rookie mistake for first-time landlords. And they might get in trouble because of that minor mistake.

In simpler words, homeowners' insurance does not cover a property that you do not live in. This means that you need landlord insurance for a property you are deciding to rent out. 

Landlord insurance coverages include property damage, landlord liability protection, and rental income loss. You can also buy extra coverage. This will include expenses such as construction costs and eviction costs.

Do You Need Landlord Insurance?

Renters are not held responsible for general losses where the tenant was not at fault. These scenarios include: 

• When a person is injured on your property, 
• When water damage or forest fire damages your house,
• When an appliance malfunctions and causes a fire. 

These accidents can leave your pockets empty. This is where landlord insurance can help you out. 

What Will Landlord Insurance Cover?

The insurance policies are quite flexible and come in all shapes and sizes. First, you need to consider what kinds of protection you will need. Buy accordingly. Generally, a landlord insurance policy will provide the following core protections:

Rental Default Insurance

You cannot rent out your property if it is uninhabitable. This could be because of mold, rat infestation, or termites. If you have rental income coverage on your policy, it can replace your income during the period of time you cannot rent out the property due to a covered claim. 

Damage Protection

Damage Protection is applicable when there is any damage caused by natural disasters, theft, vandalism, gas, or electric malfunction. This feature will cover the cost of damage caused to the house or its furnishings. Consider your risk tolerance before purchasing a policy that offers actual cash value instead,of replacement cost coverage or you might end up covering more of the loss than you expected to.

Liability Protection

The tenant might get injured during regular property maintenance. Liability protection can cover the legal or medical expenses if you are liable for them. This may include architectural collapse or slippery walkways.

The tenant can bring a suit  against you if they feel you have violated your legal obligations to keep the property safe. Liability protection can cover defense expenses in the case of a covered claim. 

Landlord Legal Costs

The landlord insurance can cover legal expenses if a suit is brought against you for injuries that occurred on the property.

When you require your tenant to have renters insurance, you have an added layer of defense because their policy may respond before yours. If not, anyone seeking damages will come straight for your policy.

Whether or not the claim is legitimate and even if you are found to be not liable, the cost of the legal defense itself can be enormous. That’s why it’s important to always carry high levels of liability coverage.

Property Damage

The landlord insurance quote or coverage can be applicable in case the renters have damaged your property and it needs repair work or replacement. However, the damage should be more than regular wear and tear. Moreover, the damage expense must exceed the deductible you have selected in your insurance contract.

Squatters Eviction

When someone has occupied your property illegally without your permission, it is called squatting. They may cause damage to your property, so you need to keep an insurance policy in place at all times. 

Rent Recovery

There are some policies that offer rent guarantee. If you have purchased a tenant default policy, you c could recover up to the limit you selected for rent. This coverage applies when your tenant is not regular with the rents and has missed several months of payments.

What Will Not Be Covered?

When purchasing the policy, do not forget to inquire about the limitations. Of course, the policy will have its benefits and constraints. Also, keep in mind that the policy will vary slightly between different insurance providers.

If you wait too long to report a claim (example more than thirty days after the incident), the policy may not cover the expenses. Similarly, any damages or expenses incurred before the policy was effective  will not be included in the coverage.

• Some other limitations are any issues related to: 
• Rent tribunals
• Subsidence, 
• Rent arrears, 
• Property damage, where the damage cost is less than the defined deductible on the policy.

Insurance providers have policies designed with different levels of coverage. Keep in mind to ask a lot of questions and gather all information on all the available products. The company may have a more comprehensive policy available that would fit you better.

How Much Will It Cost?

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) sets insurance standards. According to their 2019 report, landlord insurance costs 15% more than the homeowners' insurance on the same property. 

However, if you rent your property for a more extended period, the policy will be comparatively affordable. This is because short-term tenants are less likely to complain about maintenance issues. They might not even be able to understand all the problems in the house in a short time.

There are many deals you can benefit from. You may get a discount if you have a good claim's history, or are insuring multiple properties.

One thing to keep in mind is that the landlord insurance will not cover any expenses for the renter. These costs can includes damage to the renter’s property, medical, or legal expenses. Therefore, as a landlord, you should advise your renter to get the renter's insurance.

Conclusion

If you are looking to rent your property, do not assume your homeowners' insurance will cover any damage to the house you are not living in. Do not be afraid to ask your insurance provider if they will cover the landlord's insurance. 

Choosing the right insurance policy can save you a lot of headaches. This will also be crucial for a pleasant experience with your tenants. 

If you're looking for one, Steadily offers many landlords resources related to insurance. Their excellent services mean that you have a smooth journey throughout. 

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This post is for informational purposes only and does not serve as legal, financial, or tax advice. Consult your own legal, financial, or tax advisor for matters mentioned here. The information on this site is general in nature. Any description of coverage is necessarily simplified. Whether a particular loss is covered depends on the specific facts and the provisions, exclusions and limits of the actual policy. Nothing on this site alters the terms or conditions of any of our policies. You should read the policy for a complete description of coverage. Coverage options, limits, discounts, deductibles and other features are subject to individuals meeting our underwriting criteria and state availability. Not all features available in all states. Discounts may not apply to all coverages. Steadily is not liable for any actions taken based on this information. If you believe any of this information may be inaccurate please contact us.

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