There are many reasons why you might want to rent out your home on either a short- or long-term basis. Whether you own a second home that you plan to lease to a tenant, or want to rent out a room in your house periodically through an online service such as the increasingly popular Airbnb, your first step should be to call us at Fox Insurance Agency in Beaverton, Oregon - 503-277-2300. Depending on the rental scenario, your standard homeowners policy may not cover losses incurred while your home is rented out, and you may require a more specialized insurance policy.
Short-Term Rentals/Primary Residence
- Some insurance companies may allow a homeowners policyholder (assuming they have notified the company) a short-term rental. Other companies will require an endorsement to the existing homeowners or renters insurance policy in order to provide insurance coverage.
- If you plan to rent out your primary residence for short periods, but on a regular basis, to various ‘guests’, this would constitute a business. Standard homeowners insurance policies do not provide any coverage for business activities conducted in the home. To be properly covered you would need to purchase a business policy—specifically either a hotel or a bed and breakfast policy.
Long-Term Rentals/Second Home
If you are planning to rent out your home for a longer period of time, such as six months or a year, to one person, couple or a family, you will likely need a landlord or rental dwelling policy. Landlord policies generally cost about 25 percent more than a standard homeowners policy because landlords need more protection than a typical homeowner. If you are renting out a vacation home or investment property, this would also require a landlord or rental dwelling policy.
Renters Insurance
As the landlord, your coverage is only on the structure itself and your financial interest in it. Your tenant’s personal possessions are not covered under your policy. In order to avoid disputes in the event of damage to the renter’s belongings, many landlords require a tenant to buy renters insurance before signing a lease.
Contact Us!
At Fox Insurance Agency, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 503-277-2300, visit our insurance website 24/7, or send us a note at info [at] foxinsure [dot] com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!
Information by the Insurance Information Institute.
