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Does a landlord need renters insurance?
I own a duplex. I live in one half and I rent out the other half. I’m not clear whether I need renters insurance. Does a landlord need renters insurance?
Bonnie Stinson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Great question! No, landlords do not need renters insurance.
Since you are both homeowner and landlord for the same property, you should have two kinds of insurance to ensure that your home is fully protected.
Homeowners insurance covers damage to the physical structure as well as your personal belongings. If someone vandalizes your building—either your side or the renter’s side—this policy will cover costs to repair it. You also get liability insurance. If you start a kitchen fire and it burns down your renter’s bedroom, they could sue you. Liability insurance would cover legal costs up to your limit.
Landlord’s insurance, or rental property insurance covers damage caused by tenants. If your renter accidentally puts a hole in the wall, this policy will kick in to repair it.
You may also wish to consider additional
home emergency insurance
, depending on the risks associated with your zip code. While you don’t need renters insurance, you can—and probably should—require your tenants to carry renters insurance. A renters policy ensures that your tenant’s personal belongings have protection since none of your policies will cover them or their stuff.
Hope this was helpful!
If you have any questions about
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or homeowners insurance
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. Our friendly agents are just a text or phone call away! If you’re looking for a policy, the Jerry app is the fastest way to find an affordable rate. You can compare prices and sign up for a policy in seconds. View full answer
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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