Do I need to switch my homeowners policy if I rent out my house?

Yes, you must notify your carrier and switch to a landlord dwelling policy.

How long does loss of rents pay after a Georgia fire or storm?

Loss of rents pays from the date of covered damage until repairs finish or the policy time or dollar limit is reached, whichever comes first.

What do we use Steadily Insurance for in Georgia?

Steadily Insurance is a non-admitted excess and surplus lines carrier specializing in landlord and short-term rental insurance.

What does loss of rents coverage do on a landlord policy?

Loss of rents coverage pays the rental income you would have collected while your property is being repaired after a covered loss.

What is the difference between a landlord policy and homeowners insurance?

A landlord dwelling policy covers your rental property's structure, your liability as the property owner, and loss of rental income.

Landlord FAQs

Can a Georgia landlord require tenants to carry renters insurance?

All FAQs

Quick answer: Yes, in Georgia you can require renters insurance as a condition of the lease, and you can require the tenant to name you as additional interested party.

Can a Georgia landlord legally require renters insurance?

Yes. Georgia law does not prohibit landlords from requiring tenants to carry renters insurance, and courts have consistently treated the requirement as enforceable when it is written into a lease. The lease is a contract, and a clause requiring renters insurance carries the same legal weight as any other clause - including minimum coverage amounts and requirements that the landlord be listed as an additional interested party on the policy.

Why do landlords add a renters insurance clause?

The reason comes down to a coverage gap most tenants miss. A landlord's property insurance covers the building - the walls, roof, and structure. It does not cover a tenant's furniture, electronics, clothing, or other belongings, and it does not cover the tenant's liability coverage if a guest is injured inside the unit or if the tenant accidentally causes water damage to a neighbor's apartment. Without renters insurance, those losses fall entirely on the tenant, and disputes over who pays often become the landlord's problem too. For example, a tenant whose kitchen fire spreads to a neighboring unit may face a five-figure liability claim with no coverage in place.

What does a lease typically specify when renters insurance is required?

When a landlord requires renters insurance, the lease typically specifies:

A minimum personal liability limit (commonly $100,000, though $300,000 is increasingly standard)
Proof of coverage before the move-in date
Continuous coverage throughout the tenancy, not just at signing
The landlord named as an additional interested party on the policy, so the landlord receives cancellation notices

The additional-interested-party provision matters. If a tenant lets the policy lapse, the insurer notifies the landlord directly, giving the landlord a chance to address the gap before a loss occurs. For more on how renters coverage works in practice, see our guides on what a free coverage review involves and specialty personal insurance options available through Olive Cover.

Can a landlord cancel a lease if renters insurance lapses?

The answer depends on the lease language. If the lease treats maintaining renters insurance as a material condition of tenancy, a documented lapse can constitute a lease violation - the same way failing to pay rent on time would. Some landlords include a cure period; others treat it as grounds for non-renewal. The specific rights in any given lease depend on the exact contract language.

What coverage amounts are common in Georgia renters insurance requirements?

Georgia does not set a state minimum for renters insurance coverage, so any limit in the lease is negotiated between landlord and tenant. Common liability floors range from $100,000 to $300,000. Personal property limits depend on what the tenant owns and what it would cost to replace those items at today's prices. The premium for a basic renters policy in Georgia typically starts between $12 and $20 a month, which makes meeting most landlord minimums affordable for most tenants. For more on what drives that cost, see how deductibles affect what you pay.

For example, a tenant carrying $100,000 in liability and $20,000 in personal property coverage in the Atlanta area can generally find a qualifying policy well within a typical monthly grocery budget.

If your lease includes an insurance requirement and you want to confirm the right coverage levels for your situation, a coverage review can help. Request a free coverage review and a licensed advisor at Olive Insurance Services, LLC will walk through the details with you.