Homeowners Insurance vs Landlord Insurance: What’s the Difference?

Homeownership and rental property ownership have significant differences, and to protect these properties, they are often insured differently. This article will explain the differences between homeowner insurance and landlord insurance, and which type of policy is right for you.

What is Homeowners Insurance?

Homeowners insurance is a policy that protects homeowners from financial loss due to damage or destruction of a residential property. It generally covers the following:

Coverage
Description
Dwelling Coverage
Covers damage to the structure of the home itself
Personal Property Coverage
Covers damage to or loss of personal belongings within the home
Liability Coverage
Covers any legal responsibility for injuries or property damage caused by the homeowner or their family members
Additional Living Expenses
Covers the cost of living elsewhere while the home is being repaired or rebuilt

It’s important to note that homeowners insurance doesn’t cover all types of damage, including natural disasters like floods and earthquakes. Homeowners must purchase separate policies to cover these perils.

What are the benefits of homeowners insurance?

Homeowners insurance provides homeowners with peace of mind knowing that their property and personal belongings are protected from damage or loss. It also protects homeowners from legal responsibility for injuries or property damage they may cause. In the event of a covered loss, homeowners can also receive financial compensation to repair or replace damaged property.

What are the drawbacks of homeowners insurance?

The drawbacks of homeowners insurance include the cost of insurance premiums, which can be expensive depending on the location of the property and the value of the home. Additionally, some perils like floods and earthquakes are not covered by standard homeowners insurance policies, so homeowners must purchase additional insurance to cover these risks.

What is Landlord Insurance?

Landlord insurance, also known as rental property insurance, is a policy that protects the property owner from financial loss due to damage or destruction of a rental property. It generally covers the following:

Coverage
Description
Dwelling Coverage
Covers damage to the structure of the rental property itself
Personal Property Coverage
Covers damage to or loss of personal belongings belonging to the landlord that are inside the rental property
Liability Coverage
Covers any legal responsibility for injuries or property damage caused by tenants or guests
Loss of Rental Income Coverage
Covers the income a landlord loses when a rental property becomes uninhabitable due to damage or destruction

Similar to homeowners insurance, landlord insurance also doesn’t cover all types of perils, and separate policies must be purchased to cover them.

What are the benefits of landlord insurance?

Landlord insurance offers property owners protection from financial loss due to damage or destruction of their rental property. It also protects the landlord from legal responsibility for injuries or property damage caused by tenants or guests. Additionally, in the event of a covered loss, landlords can receive financial compensation to repair or replace damaged property and/or cover loss of rental income.

What are the drawbacks of landlord insurance?

The main drawback of landlord insurance is the cost of insurance premiums, which are typically higher than homeowners insurance due to the increased risk associated with renting a property to someone else. Additionally, landlord insurance may not cover damages caused by tenants that are considered to be intentional or criminal in nature, such as vandalism or theft.

Which Type of Policy is Right for You?

The type of policy that is right for you depends on whether you own a primary residence or a rental property. If you own your primary residence, then homeowners insurance is the policy you need to protect your property and personal belongings from damage or destruction. However, if you own a rental property, then you need landlord insurance to protect your rental property from damage or destruction and to cover any loss of rental income.

FAQ

Are homeowners insurance and landlord insurance the same thing?

No, homeowners insurance and landlord insurance are different types of policies designed to protect different types of properties. Homeowners insurance is designed to protect a homeowner’s primary residence, while landlord insurance is designed to protect rental properties.

Can I use homeowners insurance if I rent out my primary residence?

No, homeowners insurance is not designed to protect rental properties. If you rent out your primary residence, you need to purchase landlord insurance to protect your rental property.

What types of damages are not covered by standard homeowners insurance policies?

Standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover damages caused by floods or earthquakes. Homeowners must purchase separate policies to cover these risks.

What types of damages are not covered by standard landlord insurance policies?

Standard landlord insurance policies may not cover damages caused by tenants that are considered to be intentional or criminal in nature, such as vandalism or theft. In some cases, separate policies can be purchased to cover these risks.

Can I purchase landlord insurance if I live in my rental property?

Yes, you can purchase landlord insurance if you live in your rental property. Landlord insurance is designed to protect rental properties, regardless of whether the owner lives in the property or not.

Can I purchase homeowners insurance for a rental property?

No, homeowners insurance is not designed to protect rental properties. If you own a rental property, you need to purchase landlord insurance to protect your rental property.