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.

What does a Georgia landlord insurance policy actually cover?

A landlord policy covers the dwelling structure, other structures on the property, loss of rents, and premises liability.

Landlord FAQs

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

All FAQs

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

Does renting out your home require a different insurance policy?

Yes. When a homeowner moves out and rents the property to tenants, a standard homeowners policy no longer matches the exposure. Homeowners policies are written for owner-occupied homes. Renting the property to a tenant changes the risk profile enough that a claim filed under the original policy can be reduced or denied. A landlord policy, also called a dwelling policy or DP-3, is the correct coverage form for a property occupied by tenants rather than the owner.

Why does a homeowners policy not cover a rental?

A homeowners policy includes conditions that require the insured to occupy the home. Once tenants move in, that occupancy condition is no longer met. Insurers treat owner-occupied and tenant-occupied properties as distinct risks: a rented home faces different exposures, including tenant-caused damage, liability claims from injured renters, and potential coverage gaps if the home sits vacant between tenants. If the insurer discovers the home was rented at the time of a claim, payment may be denied on the basis of a material change in occupancy.

For example, a homeowner in Athens moves out and leases the property to tenants but keeps the original homeowners policy active. A kitchen fire causes $80,000 in damage. The insurer discovers the home was tenant-occupied at the time of the loss and denies the claim because the policy required owner occupancy. A landlord policy in place before the tenants moved in would have covered the rebuild and the associated costs.

What does a landlord policy cover?

A landlord policy covers the structure of the home, the owner's liability as a landlord, other structures on the property such as a fence or detached garage, and often lost rental income when a covered loss makes the home uninhabitable. That rental-income protection, also called loss of use, replaces the rent that cannot be collected while repairs are underway.

The policy does not cover the tenant's personal belongings. Tenants who want protection for their own property and personal liability carry their own renters insurance. Whether the landlord policy pays replacement cost or actual cash value on the structure matters significantly when sizing the coverage limit.

Is there an exception for short-term or temporary rentals?

Some insurers will add an endorsement to an existing homeowners policy for a short, temporary rental period rather than requiring a full policy change. The longer and more permanent the rental arrangement, the more likely a separate landlord policy is required. Short-term vacation rentals through platforms like Airbnb or VRBO introduce their own coverage questions, and many standard homeowners policies exclude that use entirely.

For example, renting a Tybee Island beach home for three weeks while traveling may qualify for an endorsement, while converting a Marietta home into a year-round rental almost always requires a separate landlord policy. How a given carrier handles these transitions is one factor in selecting the right one; see how a carrier is selected for you for more context.

When does the coverage change need to happen?

Coverage needs to match actual use before tenants move in, not retroactively after a claim. An insurer or coverage advisor can confirm whether an endorsement fits or whether a full landlord policy is required, verify that limits reflect the home's rebuild cost, and confirm that liability limits are adequate for a rental property. A free coverage review walks through the options before the first tenant takes the keys. Learn more about what a free coverage review involves before getting started.