Does my homeowner’s insurance cover a rental?
Usually not. Real Property Management Gold notices that homeowners who manage their own properties often overlook insurance. The firm’s guide is direct: “Your normal homeowner’s insurance will not cover your tenant-occupied properties.” Once a tenant moves in, a loss may not be covered under your old policy. Read your policy and talk to your insurer to confirm. See the landlord insurance glossary entry for a short definition.
What should I ask my insurer?
Call your insurance company, tell them the home will be rented, and ask them to change the policy. The firm says they “will usually switch it over to a landlord policy or an occupied dwelling policy.” If you do not make this change, the firm warns, “you won’t have coverage.”
Use this short list on the call:
- Does my policy need to change when a tenant moves in?
- What is the difference between a landlord policy and an occupied dwelling policy for my home?
- What does the policy cover for the building, and what does it exclude?
- Does it include liability coverage if someone is hurt on the property?
- Does it cover lost rent if a covered event makes the home unlivable?
- What are the deductibles?
- What is the price difference compared with my current policy?
Item 5 is a question, not a promise. Some policies cover lost rent and some do not.
The firm says that after the switch, the premium “will only go up 10 or 20 percent.” That is the firm’s general guidance. Your price depends on your insurer, your home and your choices. Get a written quote.
What insurance should the tenant carry?
Make sure your tenants carry liability insurance. The firm recommends putting this in the lease, and it describes its own practice: “Require that your tenants purchase a renter’s insurance policy that includes at least $100,000 in liability coverage.”
The reasoning is simple. If a tenant causes damage, such as burning the kitchen or breaking a fire sprinkler, a renter’s policy with liability coverage can help pay to repair or replace what was damaged. The firm tells owners to explain to tenants that the policy protects them as much as it protects you. It also says renter’s insurance “doesn’t cost very much.” Ask for a copy of the tenant’s insurance documents and keep it with the lease.
Real Property Management Gold also offers a route for tenants to buy it. The Resident Benefits Package, an opt-in package at $49 per month, lists “instant discounted renters insurance available directly through AppFolio’s FolioGuard Renters Insurance program,” purchased and managed in the AppFolio online portal. Our resident benefits page lists the full package. Tenant liability insurance also appears on the fee page for the Silver, Gold and Platinum plans, marked with the firm’s insurance disclaimer. The disclaimer reads: Real Property Management Gold is not a licensed insurance broker. Please refer to the insurance policy for coverage information.
What does the Platinum landlord protection include?
The Platinum plan, at 12.9% of monthly rent, lists extra protections through a policy from SureVestor called Scheer Ultimate Landlord Protection. The firm says it is available to Platinum clients only. The amounts on the fee page are:
| Protection listed on the fee page | Amount shown |
|---|---|
| Malicious damage | Covered up to $35,000 |
| Rent paid if the tenant skips rent | Up to 8 weeks |
| Rent paid if the tenant is evicted | Up to 10 weeks |
| Rent paid if the tenant passes away | Up to 12 weeks |
| Service animal damage | Covered up to $1,000 |
| Theft, or damage due to theft | Covered up to $15,000 |
| Eviction filing fee and defense | Covered up to $5000 |
| Rekey locks in an event listed | Covered up to $400 |
Real Property Management Gold is not a licensed insurance broker. Please refer to the insurance policy for coverage information. The policy, not this page, decides what is covered, what is excluded and how to file a claim. Ask the office for the policy summary before you pick a plan. See the fee page for all three plans.
How do the pieces fit together?
Each policy covers a different part of the risk.
| Policy | Who buys it | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord or occupied dwelling policy | The owner | The building and the owner’s liability while the home is rented |
| Renter’s insurance | The tenant | The tenant’s belongings and the tenant’s liability |
| Platinum landlord protection | Platinum clients, through the management plan | Listed protections such as malicious damage and rent loss, as set by the policy |
None of these replaces the others. Keep proof of each on file. When a tenant moves out and the damage is more than normal wear and tear, see our wear and tear guide and the security deposit rules in our deposit guide.
What does insurance have to do with taxes?
Our rental property taxes page explains how the IRS treats rental income and expenses and where to read the rules. Talk to a tax professional about your own return.
How do I get help setting up coverage?
Real Property Management Gold is not a licensed insurance broker. Ask an independent insurance agent or your current insurer about owner coverage. Then request a free assessment from the firm to review the lease, the tenant requirements and the plan options. For more on how management works, see the property management services page.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; check the linked official source or talk to a Maryland attorney.
Next step
Want a manager to enforce tenant insurance requirements and track the documents? Request a free assessment at /contact-us or call (301) 392-2172.
Frequently asked questions
Does my homeowner's insurance cover a rental?
Usually not once a tenant moves in. Real Property Management Gold advises owners to call their insurer and ask to change the policy to a landlord policy or an occupied dwelling policy. If you do not make the change, you may not have coverage when a loss happens.
How much more does a landlord policy cost?
The firm's guide says the premium usually goes up by only 10 or 20 percent after the switch. Your actual price depends on your insurer, the home and your coverage choices, so get a quote.
Should I require my tenant to carry renters insurance?
Many landlords do, and you can write it into the lease. Real Property Management Gold requires that tenants buy renter's insurance with at least $100,000 in liability coverage and asks for a copy of the documents. It protects the tenant as much as the owner.
What does the Platinum landlord protection cover?
The Platinum plan lists protections such as malicious damage up to $35,000 and rent paid for up to 8 weeks if a tenant skips rent. Coverage is set by the policy. Real Property Management Gold is not a licensed insurance broker. Please refer to the insurance policy for coverage information.
Does the Resident Benefits Package include renters insurance?
It offers instant discounted renters insurance through AppFolio's FolioGuard program as one of its benefits, for residents who opt in at $49 per month. Policies are bought and managed in the AppFolio online portal, and the package has other benefits too.
How does rental insurance relate to my taxes?
Tax rules depend on your own situation, and this page gives no tax advice. Our rental property taxes page links to the IRS sources on rental income and expenses. Talk to a tax professional about your return.
Terms on this page
Sources
- Real Property Management Gold: Rental Property Insurance
- Real Property Management Gold: Rental Property Insurance (policy change)
- Real Property Management Gold: Rental Property Insurance (tenants)
- Real Property Management Gold: Property Management Pricing & Fees (Platinum protections)
- Real Property Management Gold: Property Management Pricing & Fees (disclaimer)
- Real Property Management Gold: Resident Benefits Package
Checked against the sources above on October 29, 2026. Laws, fees and programs change, so check the linked page before you act.
