Landlord insurance
Landlord insurance in Washington
Landlord insurance — often called a dwelling or DP-3 policy — covers a home you rent to tenants: the building, the rent you lose while it's being repaired after a covered loss, and your liability as the owner. A homeowners policy is written for a home you live in and usually won't respond the same way once tenants move in.
What landlord insurance covers
Short answer: The dwelling, other structures, fair rental value (lost rent after a covered loss), landlord liability, and optionally the furnishings you provide.
| Landlord (dwelling) policy | Homeowners policy | |
|---|---|---|
| Who lives there | Tenants | You |
| The building | Covered | Covered |
| Your tenant's belongings | Not covered — they need renters insurance | n/a |
| Lost rental income | Fair rental value coverage | Not designed for it |
| Liability | Landlord premises liability | Personal liability |
Require tenants to carry renters insurance — it protects their belongings and adds a layer of liability between them and your policy.
What Washington landlords should check
Short answer: Confirm the policy form, that fair rental value is adequate, and that liability limits — plus an umbrella — reflect the added exposure of owning a rental.
- Vacancy: many policies restrict coverage if the home sits empty past a set period
- Water and sewer backup endorsements, especially for basement units
- Earthquake coverage, which is excluded as on a homeowners policy
- An umbrella policy that lists the rental
Landlords are households too
Short answer: Most rental owners also insure a primary home and cars; keeping them together aligns liability limits under one umbrella.
See umbrella insurance and rental property insurance for specific situations like renting your former home or an ADU.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need landlord insurance for a rental property?
If you rent a home to tenants, yes in practice: lenders usually require it and a homeowners policy generally doesn't fit a tenant-occupied home.
Does landlord insurance cover my tenant's belongings?
No. Tenants need their own renters policy.
How much does landlord insurance cost in Washington?
It depends on the building, location, rents and coverages. Landlord policies often cost somewhat more than a comparable homeowners policy because of the added exposure.
Sources
Explanations on this page are general. Your policy documents control what is and isn't covered.
Keep exploring
- Rental property situationsInsurance for the in-between situations: renting out your old house, an ADU or basement unit, a second home, a vacant property, or a short-term rental in Washington.
- Umbrella insuranceUmbrella insurance adds $1 million or more of liability protection above your home and auto policies. What a personal umbrella policy covers, who needs one, and how much to buy.
- Renters insuranceRenters insurance covers your belongings, liability and extra living costs. What it covers, what landlords require, and why it's the easiest bundle with auto.
- Homeowners vs. landlord insuranceThe differences between homeowners and landlord insurance, and exactly what to do when you move out and rent your former home to tenants.
- Home insuranceWhat Washington homeowners insurance covers — dwelling, belongings, liability, living costs — and what it doesn't. Get a home insurance quote from a Federal Way agent.
Ready when you are
Get a real quote from a real person.
Two minutes online. A person from the team follows up — typically the same business day — and walks you through options side by side.