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Landlord & rental property insurance in WA & FL

Renting out a house, condo, or duplex? A homeowners policy won't cover a tenant-occupied property. Get a dwelling (DP-3) landlord policy with loss-of-rent and liability protection from Maru.

The moment you rent out a property, your standard homeowners policy can be voided — it's written for owner-occupied homes, not tenant-occupied rentals. Landlord insurance (usually a DP-3 dwelling policy) is built for the way rentals actually work: it protects the structure, your liability as a property owner, and the rental income you'd lose if a covered loss made the unit uninhabitable. Maru writes landlord coverage for single-family rentals, condos, duplexes, and small multi-unit buildings across Washington and Florida.

Quick take: A landlord policy covers your building and liability — not your tenant's belongings. Require tenants to carry renters insurance, and you both come out ahead: their stuff is protected, and their liability coverage can shield you from disputes. We'll help you set that requirement correctly in the lease.

What landlord insurance covers

Core landlord (DP-3) coverages
CoverageWhat it protects
Dwelling / structureThe building, at replacement cost on a DP-3 form
Other structuresDetached garage, fence, shed on the property
Landlord liabilityInjury claims from tenants or visitors on the premises
Loss of rent / fair rental valueLost rental income while the unit is uninhabitable after a covered loss
Landlord contentsAppliances and furnishings you own (e.g., in a furnished unit)
Optional: vandalism, ordinance/law, floodAdd-ons that fill common rental-specific gaps

Washington and Florida landlord realities

In Florida, a rental's roof age, hurricane exposure, and wind-mitigation features drive both price and insurability — and a documented wind-mitigation inspection can meaningfully lower premium. Flood is excluded from every landlord policy, so rentals in coastal or low-lying zones need a separate NFIP or private flood policy. In Washington, the bigger concerns are older housing stock, aging roofs and wiring, and liability around stairs, decks, and moss-slick walkways. We match your property's age and construction to a carrier that will actually keep renewing it.

One rental or several

If you own several properties, we can look at whether individual DP-3 policies or a landlord/investor package makes more sense, and coordinate an umbrella policy so a single large liability claim can't reach across your whole portfolio. As an independent agency, we can also re-shop as your holdings grow, instead of leaving you stuck with one carrier's appetite and rate.

Frequently asked questions

Why can't I just use my homeowners policy for a rental?
Homeowners policies are written for owner-occupied homes. Once tenants move in, the insurer's risk changes and a claim can be denied or the policy cancelled. A landlord (DP-3) policy is designed for tenant occupancy and adds rental-specific protections like loss of rent that homeowners policies don't include.
Does landlord insurance cover my tenant's belongings?
No. It protects your building, your liability, and your rental income — not the tenant's personal property. Tenants should carry their own renters insurance, and we recommend requiring it in the lease so everyone is protected and your liability exposure shrinks.
What is loss-of-rent coverage?
If a covered loss like a fire or storm makes the unit uninhabitable, loss-of-rent (fair rental value) coverage reimburses the income you would have collected during repairs, up to your policy limit. It keeps your mortgage and expenses covered while the property is out of service.
Do I need flood insurance on a rental?
Flood is excluded from every landlord policy. If your rental is in or near a flood zone — common across coastal Florida and parts of Washington — you'll need a separate NFIP or private flood policy to be protected. We can quote it alongside the landlord policy.
Vadim, licensed insurance advisor at Maru Insurance
Vadim — Maru Insurance
Licensed independent insurance agent · WA & FL
Written and reviewed by a licensed Maru advisor. Maru Insurance is an independent agency (License #22261820) representing multiple A-rated carriers across Washington and Florida.

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