California’s single-family home rental market has boomed to 1.8 million units, according to Census figures from 2019, fueled by high home prices, limited housing inventory, and lifestyle preferences. While it’s an excellent place to live and own rental property, rental owners know that natural disasters can put their investment at risk. In this article, we’ll discuss five reasons why insurance is crucial for safeguarding these investments and how the California Apartment Association’s Value Insurance Plan can help.

1. Unique risks for single-family rental owners

Single-family rental properties have many unique risks compared to multifamily properties. These homes often have larger yards and additional structures, such as garages, sheds, or fences, which require more maintenance and can lead to increased repair costs if damaged. The CAA Value Insurance Plan provides a tailored insurance solution that can cover these unique risks.

2. Protection against natural disasters

California’s beauty also comes with a downside: The state is known for its earthquakes, wildfires, and floods. These disasters can cause significant damage to rental properties. A comprehensive insurance policy can help, covering the costs of repairing or rebuilding the property after a covered disaster and ensuring rental owners can recover financially and continue to provide housing.

3. Liability coverage

Renting out a property exposes the rental owner to potential liabilities. If a tenant or visitor is injured on the property, the rental owner could be held responsible for medical expenses and legal fees. Rental owners also need to protect themselves against libel, slander, and litigious tenants. In California this coverage has become a must have. A comprehensive insurance policy with liability coverage protects rental owners against such financial risks, allowing them to focus on managing their rental properties with confidence.

4. Loss of rental income

If a rental property becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss, the rental owner may lose rental income while repairs are being made. Insurance policies with fair rental value coverage can compensate for this lost revenue, ensuring rental owners maintain financial stability during the rebuilding process. It is important to have a conversation with your agent to ensure you have enough coverage in place before a loss occurs.

5. Customized coverage

The CAA Value Insurance Plan ensures that a policy covers the specific needs of single-family rental homes and other types of rental properties in California, whether they be duplexes or apartment buildings.

As the single-family rental market continues to grow in California, and the state remains susceptible to natural disasters, it’s critical for rental owners to understand and address their unique insurance needs. Contact the California Apartment Association’s Value Insurance Plan today to learn how it can protect your rental property.

Myth	Fact
Homeowners insurance is sufficient for rental properties.	Homeowners insurance usually provides coverage for owner-occupied properties. Rental dwelling policies have the correct coverage and forms to best protect a rental home.
The property is covered for all types of damage	Each policy has specific coverage limitations and exclusions that landlords should understand to ensure they have the right coverage.
Landlord insurance is too expensive	Landlord insurance provides several types of coverage that protect the owner. While some of these policies are expensive, they provide coverage to protect and limit financial losses. Landlord policies often will protect the structure as well as liability claims made against the owner.
All insurance policies are the same	Each insurance policy is unique and has different coverage limitations, exclusions, and rates. It is crucial to assess the specific needs of a single-family rental property and find the right insurance policy to meet those needs.
Tenants are responsible for damages and will pay to fix them	Tenants may not have the financial resources to cover the damages, and collecting reimbursement from them can be difficult. Renters insurance is a product tenants can purchase to protect themselves if they damage the home. Having landlord insurance can help protect landlords from the financial consequences of tenant-caused damages.