Rental homes, duplexes, and apartment buildings. Your homeowners policy won't cover a property you rent out — and the rent you lose while it's unrentable is its own coverage.
Whether you own one rental across town or a small apartment building, we'll write it on the right form — and make sure the rents are protected too.
This is the most expensive mistake landlords make. If you moved out, kept the house, and started renting it — but never told your carrier — you may have no coverage at all when a claim happens. Homeowners forms are written for owner-occupied properties.
Rental property belongs on a dwelling fire policy (or a commercial package for larger buildings), which is built for the exposure and includes the coverages a homeowners policy simply doesn't have.
The building gets repaired — but your mortgage, taxes, and insurance keep coming due with no rent arriving. Loss of rents coverage replaces that income while the property is being restored. Without it, you're carrying the property out of pocket.
Fair Rental Value / Loss of RentsA porch step gives way, a stair rail fails, someone slips on ice on the walk. As the owner, you're the one who gets named — and defense costs alone can run into five figures before anyone decides who was at fault.
Landlord LiabilityNobody's there to notice for four days. Water damage claims are the most common loss on rental property in this area, and vacancy can change how — or whether — a policy responds. Tell us when a unit goes empty; there are ways to keep coverage intact.
Water Damage · Vacancy ProvisionsThe structure itself, at a limit that reflects what it would actually cost to rebuild today.
Replaces rental income while the property is uninhabitable after a covered loss.
Injury and property damage claims brought by tenants, guests, or visitors.
Appliances, furnishings, and equipment you own inside the unit — including furnished rentals.
Extra liability over the property and your personal policies. Common for multi-property owners.
Both excluded from standard policies. Sewer and drain backup is a frequent basement claim here.
Much of Westmoreland and Allegheny County sits over abandoned coal mines, and standard property policies exclude mine subsidence — it's been excluded from private coverage since the 1950s. If the ground under your rental settles, a normal policy won't respond.
Coverage comes through the Commonwealth's Mine Subsidence Insurance Fund, and it's inexpensive relative to the risk — yet only a small fraction of at-risk structures statewide actually carry it. We write it. Ask us and we'll check your parcel's risk with you.
Your policy covers the building. It does not cover your tenant's belongings, and it isn't meant to pay for damage they cause. Requiring renters insurance in the lease — and asking to be named as an additional interest — moves those claims off your policy and keeps your loss history clean.
We write renters policies too, so you can point tenants directly to us. It's usually a small monthly cost, and it makes your life considerably easier when something happens.
No — and this is the gap that burns people. Homeowners policies are written for owner-occupied homes. Once it's a rental, you need a dwelling fire or landlord policy. If you've already rented it out without telling your carrier, call us before something happens; a claim could be denied outright.
No. Your policy covers the building and any contents you own. Your tenant's furniture, electronics, and personal property are their responsibility — which is why we recommend requiring renters insurance in your lease. We write those too, so you can send tenants straight to us.
Vacancy can affect how a policy responds — many forms limit or exclude certain losses once a property has been vacant beyond a set period. It's usually manageable if we know about it, so tell us when a unit goes empty and we'll make sure coverage stays intact.
Often yes. Once you're past a few properties, a commercial package can be simpler and sometimes cheaper than separate policies, with one renewal date and a shared umbrella over everything. Tell us how many you own and we'll price it both ways.
It's worth checking. Much of this area sits over abandoned coal mines, and standard property policies exclude subsidence entirely. Coverage is available through the Commonwealth's Mine Subsidence Insurance Fund and is generally inexpensive. We can help you look up your parcel's risk.