How to Handle Homeowners Insurance Setup

How to Handle Homeowners Insurance Setup

Member since 2021 · 2 posts · 1 vote

Hello!

I have some questions on how to properly set up the accounting for rentals, and what experienced investors do when handling the accounting for multiple properties.

Currently based on what i've read, it's a good idea to keep the accounting for each property separate.  We recently purchased our first two investment properties in Kansas City, and the way we have things set up is that each property has a separate bank account that handles all transactions related to each individual property.  In my mind it makes sense since it keeps everything separate and it's easy to see how well each property is doing.

One snag with this plan is that we have one homeowners insurance company handling both properties, and they won't let us have separate auto-payments for each property.  I really want to auto-pay everything that I can so that everything is easier to handle, especially as we get more properties.

My question is, how do you have your accounts set up?  Am I worrying too much about keeping everything in separate accounts?  Do other homeowners insurance companies allow for one account to have different auto-payment setups for each property in the account, or is that not really a thing in this industry?

We could just have each property have a different homeowners insurance company, but then we worry we may be missing out on potential discounts for bundling everything together.  I know other types of insurance do this, but is this a thing that most homeowners insurance companies do (give discounts to investors who have multiple investment properties with that company)?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

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Insurance Agent · Plano, TX · Member since 2021 · 127 posts · 94 votes
4y

Adam,

I can help with the insurance part of your question.  

While it's completely up to you, I can tell you that most investors I've dealt with seem to start out using agents they're most familiar with and tend to have separate policies for each of their rentals.  The issue with this is that as you grow, you will likely reach a threshold where that particular carrier doesn't want to insure any more of your rental properties.  If you have an independent agent, then they can shop other carriers and keep moving forward, for find you a policy that can bundle them all under one policy.  If it's a direct writer carrier, this may be much harder for them to do depending on what level of flexibility they have within their company.

In either case, at some point you're likely to want one single policy that can insure all your properties.  At what point you reach that threshold is completely up to you, but for most it seems to be around 10 rentals.  The main reason is because you're likely to have 10 different renewal dats to mess with throughout the year, 10 different coverage forms to review and worry about, likely to have different deductibles and endorsements on each policy, different carriers, etc.  Having to mess with insurance renewals 10 different times in a given year can be a paperwork / tracking nightmare.  So the more rental properties you have in your portfolio, the more likely you are to want them insured under one single policy with one common renewal date.  This means you only mess with insurance once a year for all properties (unless your adding, removing, or refinancing properties).   

Most independent agents have access to tailored products that can do this bundling for you.  Bundling alone "usually" isn't what's saving you money.  The agent shopping markets and carriers for the best coverage and rates is typically what's driving the savings.  With some agents, a single policy for each rental can save you just as much as a bundled option can, and in other cases it may not compete well at all.  It's more about the carrier's current rates and their underwriting flexibility.  My suggestion is to test both, and go with what fits you best right now.  Then as you grow your portfolio, you test those options again (shop your insurance w/ other agents & carriers) when you feel it's necessary.  Hope you find this helpful.  Good luck!

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  • Real Estate Agent · Kansas City · Member since 2020 · 63 posts · 52 votes
    4y

    Most, if not all, insurance companies give a discount for bundling. 

    To get separate payments on each property. I believe you would have to have separate policies for each property. Which, would make you lose out on the bundling discount. I would stick with your current plan. If you'd like to chat more, let me know!  

  • Insurance Agent · Plano, TX · Member since 2021 · 127 posts · 94 votes
    4y

    Adam,

    I can help with the insurance part of your question.  

    While it's completely up to you, I can tell you that most investors I've dealt with seem to start out using agents they're most familiar with and tend to have separate policies for each of their rentals.  The issue with this is that as you grow, you will likely reach a threshold where that particular carrier doesn't want to insure any more of your rental properties.  If you have an independent agent, then they can shop other carriers and keep moving forward, for find you a policy that can bundle them all under one policy.  If it's a direct writer carrier, this may be much harder for them to do depending on what level of flexibility they have within their company.

    In either case, at some point you're likely to want one single policy that can insure all your properties.  At what point you reach that threshold is completely up to you, but for most it seems to be around 10 rentals.  The main reason is because you're likely to have 10 different renewal dats to mess with throughout the year, 10 different coverage forms to review and worry about, likely to have different deductibles and endorsements on each policy, different carriers, etc.  Having to mess with insurance renewals 10 different times in a given year can be a paperwork / tracking nightmare.  So the more rental properties you have in your portfolio, the more likely you are to want them insured under one single policy with one common renewal date.  This means you only mess with insurance once a year for all properties (unless your adding, removing, or refinancing properties).   

    Most independent agents have access to tailored products that can do this bundling for you.  Bundling alone "usually" isn't what's saving you money.  The agent shopping markets and carriers for the best coverage and rates is typically what's driving the savings.  With some agents, a single policy for each rental can save you just as much as a bundled option can, and in other cases it may not compete well at all.  It's more about the carrier's current rates and their underwriting flexibility.  My suggestion is to test both, and go with what fits you best right now.  Then as you grow your portfolio, you test those options again (shop your insurance w/ other agents & carriers) when you feel it's necessary.  Hope you find this helpful.  Good luck!

  • Rental Property Investor · Central U. S. A. · Member since 2013 · 296 posts · 149 votes
    4y

    All you need is one account and good accounting software.  Each rental property is set up in the accounting software as a "class."  As income comes in and expenses go out it is assigned to a specific property or class.  That way you can keep tract of each separate property, but only use one account, one check book, etc.  QuickBooks (desktop or online) is a good choice for accounting software.

  • Member since 2021 · 2 posts · 1 vote
    4y

    Thank you all for the advice.  We talked with our company and figured out a way to keep it all under them without having to have separate auto-payments for each property.  We'll keep this thread in mind as we scale up and get more properties.

    Thanks again!

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