Florida landlord insurance

What is Florida landlord insurance? 

Florida landlord insurance is a type of dwelling insurance designed for individuals who lease their properties to others for an extended time. It’s also appropriate  for those who regularly rent out their vacation homes or other investment properties.

Landlord insurance protects your finances if there’s physical damage to your rental home's structure, but it can also cover personal items you may leave onsite as well as your liability if a tenant or one of their guests gets hurt on the property. Policies also usually provide coverage for loss of rental income. This coverage protects you if you can’t rent out the property while it’s being repaired or rebuilt after a covered loss.

Types of landlord insurance policies in Florida

There are three types of landlord insurance in Florida. Owners of rental or investment properties typically get a form of a dwelling property policy called a DP3 policy.

• Florida DP3 policy highlights

  • Most popular form of landlord insurance in Florida

  • Closely resembles standard homeowners insurance (also called an HO3 policy)

  • Open-perils policy with replacement cost coverage for property damage

  • Typically includes personal liability coverage, property coverage, and fair rental value coverage

  • Comes with an option to add a roof surfacing payment schedule endorsement

  • Offers optional medical payments coverage for injured visitors

Our carrier partners offer DP3 policies in Florida. Get an online quote now to see if this coverage fits your budget.

Other companies may offer two other types of landlord insurance in Florida. Coverage details vary by insurer, but here’s what those landlord policies normally look like: 

• Florida DP1 policy

• • The most basic type of landlord coverage 

  • Covers only limited named perils such as fire

  • Excludes damage caused by theft, water, and more

  • Doesn’t cover loss of use or personal liability 

  • Provides actual cash value coverage for the structure 

  • No building age limit requirements

  • Available for multi-family dwellings, condo units, and traditional houses

• Florida DP2 Policy

  • Covers more perils than a DP1, such as falling objects, freezing pipes, and theft, but is still a named perils policy

  • Provide replacement cost coverage for the structure

What if you're an Airbnb host? Does that mean you need homeowners insurance, landlord insurance, or something else? Airbnb home insurance can be complicated, and you need the right coverage to protect yourself. Ask us about protecting your Airbnb.

Landlord insurance vs. homeowners insurance in Florida

At first glance, you'll see more similarities than differences between Florida homeowners insurance and landlord insurance. Much like our Florida homeowners insurance (HO3), landlord policies are designed to cover the primary home and other structures on an open perils basis. That means these structures are protected from all sources of damage except the few the policy lists as exclusions.

But some optional coverages with landlord insurance come standard with a homeowners policy. And landlord insurance can cover some risks that homeowners insurance can't. The chart below shows the common coverage differences between DP3 vs. home insurance.

DP3 vs HO3

How does landlord insurance in Florida work?

Landlord insurance in Florida is pretty straightforward if you understand the difference between problems that you, as the owner, are responsible for and problems that your tenants are responsible for.

Say your tenant accidentally lets the bathtub overflow, causing extensive water damage. Here's how landlord insurance in Florida addresses that situation:

• Sudden and accidental damage to the building’s structure is usually covered by landlord insurance. This includes damage to the floor, baseboards, and cabinets – even when the damage is caused by a tenant.

• Water damage caused by a long-term leak that wasn’t addressed is probably not covered. The key to coverage is the “sudden and accidental” nature of the damage, not a problem that was caused by neglect, poor maintenance, or normal wear and tear.

• Any damage to the tenant's possessions is not covered by your landlord policy. Your insurance covers your property. However, your tenant's renters insurance should cover damage to their personal belongings.

You'll want to encourage or require your tenants to purchase renters insurance (HO4) to complete the circle of protection for your rental property.

New to running an investment property? Check out our tips for first-time landlords.

What's covered by Florida landlord insurance?

• Property coverage: This coverage includes the dwelling, other structures, and any personal property used to service the rental that you leave onsite (e.g., a lawn mower).

• Fair rental value coverage: Sometimes called "loss of rental income" coverage, this reimburses some of your lost rental income if your tenants have to move out so you can repair your building after a fire, storm, or some other covered peril.

• Liability coverage: If you’re responsible for someone else’s bodily injury or property damage, this coverage helps pay for medical treatment or property repairs and your legal expenses if you're sued.

What's not covered by Florida landlord insurance? 

• Regular maintenance costs or items damaged by normal wear and tear

• Tenants' belongings

• Owner-occupied properties (e.g., you still live on the property but rent out a room to a tenant)

Who needs landlord insurance in Florida?

Owners of residential rental properties in Florida must protect themselves with landlord insurance. Getting coverage helps protect you from natural disasters and liability risks. Moreover, it can protect a portion of your rental income if your property is damaged enough to require your tenants to move out while you repair it, leaving you without your regular income stream.

Landlord insurance guides

• Cape Coral
• Hialeah
• Jacksonville
• Miami
• Orlando
• Pembroke Pines
• Port St. Lucie
• St. Petersburg
• Tallahassee

How much is landlord insurance in Florida?

According to the Insurance Information Institute, landlord policies generally cost about 25% more than a standard homeowners policy, mainly because landlords face additional risks and may be more likely to file an insurance claim.

Landlord insurance premiums in Florida are based on the type of rental property you have and the property's unique risk factors, such as:

• The size and location of your property.

• The age and construction of your building.

• The weather and crime risks in your city.

Florida landlord insurance may cost more than in other states due to the increased weather-related risks in the state. However, if your residential rental property has fire sprinklers, burglar alarms, gated access, or other security systems, you may be able to lower your costs.

Florida landlord insurance FAQs

Is landlord insurance required in Florida? 

Landlord insurance is not required in Florida. While it is in your best interest to have it, purchasing landlord insurance is not one of the Florida landlord responsibilities required by law.

Why do I need landlord insurance in Florida? 

You need landlord insurance if you own a rental property in Florida because it protects your investment if storms, fires, and other covered perils damage your property. It also can cover you if someone is injured on your property.

Can a landlord require renters insurance in Florida? 

You can require renters insurance in Florida. In these cases, you must specify the insurance requirements in the lease agreement, with specific tenants' responsibilities clearly spelled out.