As a landlord, it is important to insure against property damage and injuries to residents and visitors, but evaluating the risk exposures at these properties is difficult. There are a slew of liabilities that can arise from the ownership, operation, or maintenance of concessions. The property owner may be liable to the tenants and guests for injuries if they fail to keep their promises safe. Injuries can be caused by any number of issues from some defective conditions of the rental property to environmental hazards or even criminal activity.
Property owners that rent or lease out to tenants need apartment insurance that will protect them from the risk of paying excess costs in case something goes wrong. Some common causes of damage to buildings are: fire, smoke, hail, and even automobile or airline impact!
Having the proper amounts of apartment insurance can protect against these hazards. Since the risks associated with rental properties differ from the risks associated with owner occupied properties, it is necessary to consult with an insurance agent who specializes in this type of insurance. With individual contracts there may be issues that affect one or more residents. A flood may only affect two apartments, one above and one benefit. A fire may end up destroying the entire complex. The policies purchased should cover against fire, flood, lightning and immunity and any other hazards associated with a certain region, for example, earthquakes. The landlord should have the building insured for major perils since they have their own financial interest in the property.
As a landlord it is important to help protect any personal interest against claims arising from any injury the tenant may suffer on the property. For instance, if a tenant injured himself or herself by having fallen down the stairs in the building, he or she may hold the owner liable as the owner of the property. Without proper insurance this will lead to costable legal claims and could result in great losses and even bankruptcy. There's a wide range of coverage available that should be evaluated based on an individual owners needs.
Be sure there is enough insurance. The sum insured should represent not the building's market value but the full re-building cost of the property. In many cases the re-building value of a property can be significantly higher or lower than its market value. Check with the mortgage company and make sure the Apartment Insurance coverage starts right from the day when the contract is signed, and review and update the policy on a regular basis, and inform the insurance company when any changes, such as structural alterations, are made .