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

Yes. If you rent out your house, you generally need to switch from a standard homeowners policy to a landlord policy, also called a dwelling policy. A homeowners policy assumes you live in the home, and renting it to a tenant changes the risk enough that your coverage could be denied if you do not update it.

The reason comes down to how the property is used. A homeowners policy is written for an owner-occupied home. Once tenants move in, you face different exposures: tenant-caused damage, liability for injuries to renters, and potential gaps in coverage if the home sits empty between tenants. If you file a claim on a homeowners policy for a property you are actually renting out, the insurer may reduce or deny the payment.

A landlord policy is built for this situation. It covers the structure, your liability as a landlord, other structures on the property, and often lost rental income if a covered loss makes the home unlivable. It does not cover your tenant’s belongings, which is why you may want to require tenants to carry their own renters insurance.

There is one common exception worth knowing. If you are renting the home out for only a short, temporary period, your insurer may allow a simple endorsement instead of a full policy change. The longer and more permanent the rental arrangement, the more likely you need a true landlord policy. Telling your agent the moment your plans change lets your coverage be matched to how the home is actually used.

For example, suppose you move out of your Athens home and lease it out, but keep your old homeowners policy. A kitchen fire causes $80,000 in damage. The insurer discovers the home was rented and denies the claim because the policy required owner occupancy. A landlord policy would have covered the rebuild and possibly the lost rent while repairs were made.

The switch is usually straightforward and protects you from a denied claim. To convert your coverage correctly before you hand over the keys, start a free coverage review at /coverage-review/.