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September 10, 2024

Understanding Insurance for Co-Living Properties

David Abraham
David is a tech lawyer. He has extensive experience in artificial intelligence, financial technology, human rights law and digital marketing.

We sat down with Quinton, the General Manager at PadSplit, to dive into how PadSplit operates, clear up some common misconceptions about insurance, and explore the unique insurance needs of shared spaces.

Buying into the idea of co-living might feel like stepping into uncharted territory, especially when it comes to understanding the insurance landscape. Let's demystify it together.

The PadSplit Model: Affordable Housing with a Twist

PadSplit isn't your typical boarding house setup; think of it more like an Airbnb for affordable housing. We handle everything from tenant aggregation to digital revenue collection, ensuring that members pay digitally with a 97% accuracy rate. Our focus? Affordable workforce housing. Investors can earn more while doing good by providing affordable rooms in shared housing facilities.

It’s a win-win: you get a steady income stream, and communities get much-needed affordable housing. But what about insurance?

Tips For Landlords

Tackling Insurance Misconceptions

A lot of investors worry they can't get insurance coverage for co-living spaces. It’s a common fear, but it’s largely unfounded. Sure, there are risks involved, but others have already blazed the trail. We’ve partnered with insurance providers who understand our model and are ready to help you navigate the complexities.

Questions about liability often pop up, like what happens if there's a dispute between members. The insurance we use for co-living covers these scenarios, allowing you to focus on being an investor rather than an operator. Once you're covered, you can start thinking about expanding your portfolio, stress-free.

Further Reading

Specific Insurance Needs for PadSplit Hosts

When it comes to insurance, PadSplit hosts need to think about commercial liability coverage. We require a minimum of $1 million in coverage, with a $2 million aggregate. Many hosts, including myself, opt for an additional umbrella policy for extra peace of mind.

Not all insurance providers get what we do, but we’ve partnered with Steadily to guide you through the process. They understand the unique requirements of co-living spaces and can help you mitigate risks as your portfolio grows. This experience makes a world of difference, ensuring you’re covered properly and can sleep easy at night.

Understanding the Role of Shared Spaces in Insurance

Insurance policies for co-living spaces often include a rider specific to shared housing. This rider covers the unique aspects of our business model, like medium-term rentals. Our members typically stay for about nine months, similar to student housing, which helps insurers understand the risk profile better.

Each state has different insurance requirements, and some places like Florida or hurricane-prone cities can be trickier to insure. However, for the most part, our insurance partners have crafted policies that cover the specific needs of PadSplit hosts, making the process straightforward and manageable.

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