Is your Rental Property Covered Under Your Home Insurance?
Investing in rental property is an exciting and cost-effective venture for many people. Savvy individuals are able to charge enough rent to offset the mortgage payment of the rental property, allow for maintenance costs and provide a bit of a profit at the end. In order to protect your investment, however, you need to have an adequate amount of insurance.
Many people assume that their homeowners insurance covers their rental properties as well. It pays to do your research into the subject now before something catastrophic occurs and you find yourself in a financial crisis. Having the right kind and amount of insurance can protect you now and long into the future.
While having homeowners insurance for your rental home is required by almost all lenders who provide you with a mortgage, a traditional policy might not be the best option for your rental property. Here are three points to keep in mind when deciding what type of insurance best suits your needs.
1. Unless you are renting the home out as being fully furnished, you will not need to insure the contents of it. Instead, that responsibility falls to the renter in the form of renter’s insurance.
2. It is highly likely that you will need more liability insurance. With the title of ‘landlord’ comes an increased sense of responsibility. In the event that your tenants are injured while on the property, you will likely need to bear some responsibility. Even if it is due to an event beyond your control, such as the weather, you should plan for the additional responsibility. Your insurance agent can be a valuable guide in this matter.
3. If you are like most landlords, you depend on the rent you receive from your tenants. Consider an insurance policy that specifically protects you from the loss of this income. If you ever experience such a loss, you will be glad to have it.