How to get a landlord insurance quote
Getting a landlord insurance quote on a rental isn’t particularly complicated. But it does involve a lot of details you may not have dealt with before if you’re only familiar with homeowners insurance. Occupancy type, lease details, and claims history all go into determining the price, and having them at your fingertips makes the difference between landing on a rough estimate vs a number you can act on.
A rental property can be a reliable source of income and go a long way in helping you build wealth over time. But like any investment, rentals come with risks. And one of the best ways to manage them is with landlord insurance.
Here’s a rundown of what to gather, the steps themselves, and the two limits you’ll be asked to choose.
Key takeaways
- Gather your property details first - year it was built, age of the roof, square footage, number of units, and any recent system upgrades
- Occupancy and lease type matter as much as the building - whether your property is currently occupied, vacant, or on a short-term lease changes the risk picture for carriers
- Expect to spend about 25% more than a homeowners policy - according to the Insurance Information Institute, landlord policies are roughly 25% more expensive than a standard homeowners policy
- You’ll choose two limits for covered losses - one for your dwelling, based on the structural rebuild costs, and liability, based on the maximum amount you could be sued for if someone is hurt on your property
Must-have information before you get quotes
The building itself
The two main data points you’ll need first for a quote are the year the structure was built and the age of the roof. Beyond that, you’ll want to confirm the total square footage, number of rental units, and construction type—meaning wood frame, masonry, or something else.
List any recent upgrades separately. Updated plumbing, heating, or electrical systems can affect the price, and they’re often overlooked if the work wasn’t done recently.
Occupancy and lease terms
Carriers will want to know if your property is currently occupied, between tenants, or sitting vacant. Vacancy in particular can change what a policy will cover. These details aren’t mere formalities and can really affect your quote.
Lease type matters too. A long-term tenancy, a short-term arrangement, and a room rental are three very different risk profiles for carriers. Which scenario is yours will determine the type of policy you’ll need. Our DP-3 explainer covers the type of policy and insurance form most long-term residential rentals use.
Make sure you have the claims history on the property for the past five years documented, whether or not you were the owner.
Figure out the limits you want
You’ll be asked to set dwelling and liability limits. So it helps to figure that out ahead of time, rather than deciding on the spot. More details on both below.
Getting a quote in four steps
- Start with your property’s address - location is one of the biggest drivers affecting the price of your policy
- Confirm construction details and rental use - know how your property was built and be sure to answer questions about occupancy accurately
- Set your dwelling and liability limits - think these through and set them accurately, rather than accepting the default limits, especially liability
- Compare across carriers before selecting - how willing a carrier is to insure a rental property varies widely, so the first number is rarely the best the market has to offer
Dwelling and liability: the two numbers you choose
Dwelling, based on rebuild cost
Dwelling protection covers the physical structure against damage from fire, wind, hail, and other causes named in your policy, unless specifically excluded.
The limit is set on replacement cost, or what it would take to rebuild from the ground up. This typically differs from market value and from what you paid to own it—sometimes significantly in either direction.
And comparing your replacement cost to the purchase price is a common and expensive mistake. For more context on what property insurance costs and why it varies so much by state, check out our guide to home insurance costs.
Liability, based on exposure
Liability coverage compensates you for legal fees and medical costs when a tenant or guest is injured on your property and you’re found responsible.
Liability limits typically start around $100,000, which is considered low for a rental. Landlords with more equity frequently carry higher limits or add an umbrella policy above them. Worth working through with a licensed agent against your actual assets rather than accepting a default.
It is also worth reading what your policy excludes. Exclusions vary by carrier, and they are where the gaps sit that a rider might need to fill.
What comparing across carriers actually gets you
Carriers weigh rental property differently. One may treat roof age as the dominant factor, another may weigh the lease type or claims history more heavily, and some write rental property more willingly than others. The result is that the same property can carry meaningfully different prices depending on who is quoting it.
That variation is the reason to compare rather than accept a single number. Hippo Insurance Services is a licensed agency working with affiliated and non-affiliated carriers, and compares quotes from 70+ carriers in about 60 seconds. Our guide to buying home insurance covers what to have ready before you start.
After you have a quote
- Read the binder against your own details: Address, occupancy status, construction type, and limits. Errors here surface at claim time, not before.
- Confirm fair rental value is included: This is the component that replaces lost rent while a covered loss makes the property unrentable.
- Match the effective date to your tenancy: Then make the first payment to put the policy in force.
Ready to see your options? Get quotes from 70+ carriers in about 60 seconds.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a quote?
Roughly 60 seconds once you have the address and basic property details ready. Gathering the construction and occupancy details in advance is what keeps it that quick.
Is landlord insurance more expensive than homeowners insurance?
Generally, yes. Triple-I puts landlord policies at about 25% more than a standard homeowners policy, reflecting the additional protections and the different occupancy risk. Your rate depends on location, property age and condition, and the limits you set.
What if the property is vacant between tenants?
Say so during the quote process. Vacancy rules vary by carrier and many policies limit how long a dwelling can stand empty before protection changes. An extended vacancy may call for a different policy entirely.
This article is for informational purposes only and was compiled from sources not affiliated with Hippo. While we believe this information to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. For any insurance-related decision, please consult your licensed insurance producer.
Sources cited are publicly available and referenced in August 2026.
