Last reviewed: September 22, 2026
A homeowners policy is written for a property you live in. The moment you move out and rent it to someone else, that policy no longer matches the risk, and most insurers will deny a claim on a rented property under a homeowners form. You need a landlord (dwelling) policy instead, which is priced and written differently.
A rented property carries different risk than an owner-occupied one. Owners tend to notice and fix small problems faster than tenants report them. Insurers price and underwrite landlord policies around that gap.
As soon as the property is no longer your primary residence and someone else is paying to live there, even a family member paying rent counts in most cases. Notify your carrier before the lease starts, not after a claim.
What if I plan to move back in eventually? Still needs a landlord policy while it's rented. Coverage is based on current use, not future plans.
Does landlord insurance cost more than homeowners? It's priced differently based on the specific risk, not automatically higher or lower. Depends on the property and coverage you choose.
Send me the address and the date it becomes a rental and I'll get the right policy lined up before the lease starts.
— Aaron