I still remember the sick feeling in my stomach when my first tenant stopped paying rent and then trashed the place on their way out.
Six thousand dollars in damages, two months of lost rent, and a court date I never saw coming. That’s when I learned the hard way that regular homeowners insurance laughs in your face the moment you have a tenant. Landlord insurance isn’t optional—it’s the difference between building wealth and watching it evaporate overnight.
Fast forward a few years and several properties later, I’ve tested more policies than I care to admit. Some companies treat landlords like second-class citizens. Others actually understand this business. Here are the ones that earned my trust (and my money) heading into 2025.
The 5 Landlord Insurance Companies Worth Your Time in 2025
1. Best Overall for Serious Investors: biBERK
Let’s start with the heavyweight. If you own apartment buildings or plan to scale beyond a couple single-family homes, biBERK feels like it was built by landlords for landlords.
What sets them apart isn’t just the price—though they consistently beat the big household names by 15-25%—it’s the fact they’re part of Berkshire Hathaway. That means rock-solid financial backing and zero drama when it’s time to pay a claim.
I’ve got a six-unit building insured with them right now. When we had a pipe burst last winter that affected three units, they cut the loss-of-rent check before the drywall was even dry. Most companies make you fight for that money.
- Covers everything from single-family to large apartment complexes
- Can add workers’ comp the day you hire your first maintenance person
- Commercial auto and umbrella policies available under the same roof
- Direct pricing—no agent middleman markup
Downside? They won’t insure a property you still live in part-time. If that’s your situation, keep scrolling.
2. Best Digital Experience: American Family
Sometimes you just want to handle everything at 11 p.m. in your pajamas. American Family gets that.
Their online quote tool is legitimately useful—not one of those fake forms that forces you to call anyway. I ran numbers for a duplex I was considering and had a bindable quote in under eight minutes. That’s ridiculous (in the best way).
They also throw in something called the “Landlord Toolbox”—free lease templates, background check guides, and state-specific landlord-tenant law summaries. It’s the kind of value-add that makes you feel like they actually want you to succeed.
“I switched from State Farm and saved $680 a year on identical coverage. The online portal is night-and-day better.”
– Marcus T., three-property owner in Wisconsin
Caveat: Only available in 19 states right now. If you’re in California or Florida, you’re out of luck.
3. Best for First-Time Landlords: Steadily
Steadily is the new kid that’s growing like crazy for good reason. They built their entire company around rental property owners, and it shows.
The onboarding feels almost too easy. Answer a few questions, pick your coverage, pay, done. Policy documents hit your inbox before you finish your coffee. For someone who just closed on their first rental and is drowning in a million other details, that matters.
They’ll even insure vacant properties and homes under renovation—something most traditional carriers flat-out refuse. I used them when I bought a fixer-upper last year and needed coverage the day I closed.
- Policies start in all 50 states
- Special Airbnb/VRBO coverage available
- Free access to lease templates, eviction forms, and vendor directories
- Monthly payment plans with zero fees
Because they’re newer, they don’t have decades of claims data yet. But honestly, every claim I’ve heard about has been handled quickly and fairly.
4. Best Traditional Giant: Travelers
Sometimes you just want the comfort of a company your parents trusted. Travelers delivers that without being stuck in the Stone Age.
They’ll happily insure everything from the house you’re renting out after moving to a fourplex you just bought as an investment. Their agents actually understand rental properties (which is rarer than you’d think).
Bonus: They offer discounts for smart-home devices like water leak sensors and smart thermostats. I saved 12% on a triplex just by installing a few $40 sensors. Easy money.
| Property Type | Max Units Covered | Medical Payments Included |
| Single Family | 1 | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Duplex–Quadplex | 2–4 | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Apartment Building | Referral needed | Varies |
5. Best for Occasional Airbnb Hosts: Allstate (with Home-Sharing Endorsement)
Here’s where things get interesting. If you only rent your place out a few weeks a year on Airbnb, you probably don’t need full landlord insurance. But you do need more than basic homeowners coverage.
Allstate’s home-sharing endorsement adds up to $10,000 in theft/damage protection caused by guests. That’s often enough for occasional hosts without paying for a completely separate policy.
Bundle it with auto and you can knock up to 25% off. I know plenty of hosts who went this route and sleep much better.
What Landlord Insurance Actually Covers (and What It Doesn’t)
Let’s clear up the confusion once and for all.
Typical coverage includes:
- Damage to the building from fire, storms, vandalism, etc.
- Loss of rental income while repairs are made
- Liability if someone gets hurt on your property
- Limited coverage for your appliances and maintenance equipment
What’s usually NOT covered:
- Your tenant’s belongings (they need renters insurance)
- Flood or earthquake damage (separate policies needed)
- Normal wear and tear
- Pest infestations
- Damage from vacant properties over 60 days (unless you add coverage)
Pro tip: Always add fair rental value coverage. If your property becomes uninhabitable, this pays what you would have collected in rent. I’ve collected over $18,000 from this one line item across my portfolio.
How Much Should You Really Be Paying?
Here’s the range I’m seeing in 2025 for a typical $300,000 duplex:
- Budget carriers: $850–$1,200/year
- Mid-tier (American Family, Travelers): $1,100–$1,600/year
- Specialty landlord insurers (Steadily, biBERK): $900–$1,400/year
- High-risk areas (coastal Florida, California wildfire zones): $2,000+
That’s roughly 20-30% more than comparable homeowners insurance, which tracks with industry averages. The extra cost buys you peace of mind that’s absolutely worth it.
The Bottom Line
Being a landlord can be one of the best wealth-building paths out there—but only if you protect yourself properly. Skimp on insurance and one bad event can wipe out years of profits.
My personal ranking for 2025:
- biBERK – Best for scaling investors
- Steadily – Best for speed and new landlords
- American Family – Best digital experience (where available)
- Travelers – Best traditional carrier
- Allstate home-sharing – Best for occasional Airbnb hosts
Get quotes from at least three of these before you decide. The differences in coverage details and pricing can easily swing thousands of dollars over the life of your investment.
Because at the end of the day, the best landlord insurance isn’t the cheapest—it’s the one that’s actually there when you need it most.
