Should landlord be added as additional insured?

[Jin Zhang]

Hi everyone, 

I am researching about renter insurance and if landlord should be added as additional insured or additional interested. Most articles do not say about if this is a bad idea or not. And it seems to be fine to add landlord as additional insured. but there is one article says it is a bad idea to add landlord as additional insured. Is this true? Should I ask my tenants to add me as additional insured or not?

Thanks,

Jin 

Additional insured," on the other hand, is another person covered by your policy, and adding your landlord as an additional insured is a very bad idea — for you, your landlord and your insurance company. In fact, most renters insurance companies won't let you list your landlord as an additional insured at all.

If you add someone to your policy as an additional insured, it means they are protected by your policy's liability coverage. You might commonly add your spouse or your roommate as an additional insured so that you're all protected under the same policy. If you add your roommate to your policy and a visitor is injured by your roommate's dog, the liability policy would cover any damages.

However, adding your landlord as an additional insured makes it impossible for either of you to make a claim against one another's liability policies for damages.

For example, if faulty wiring causes a fire in your apartment, you and your insurance company would normally sue your landlord and their insurance company to cover the loss. But if you and your landlord are protected by the same policy, you're prevented from suing your landlord — it'd be like suing yourself or your spouse. And this works both ways: If you're the one responsible for the fire, the landlord would be unable to sue you for damages because you're both protected by the same policy.

[Nathan Gesner]

@Jin Zhang I'm not sure who gave you that advice, but they are wrong. Most professional property managers require this. Here's a blog I wrote about it recently.

Should I Add My Property Manager To My Insurance Policy?

AMERICAN WEST REALTY - THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023

As a property owner, you know that protecting your investment is crucial. One of the most important steps in safeguarding your property is obtaining adequate insurance coverage. However, simply purchasing a policy may not be enough to fully protect your interests. That's where adding your property manager to your insurance policy as an additional insured comes in.

What does it mean to add your property manager as an additional insured?

Adding your property manager as an additional insured means that they will be listed on your insurance policy as a named insured. This gives them the same protection and coverage under your policy as you have as the primary policyholder. By doing this, you are extending the policy's coverage to include your property manager, should they be held liable for any incidents or accidents that occur on your property.

Why is it important to add your property manager as an additional insured?

1. It protects both parties.

   Adding your property manager as an additional insured protects both you and your property manager in the event of a claim or lawsuit. If your property manager is not listed as an additional insured, they may not be covered under your policy in the event of an incident on your property, leaving both of you potentially exposed to liability.

2. It can save you money.

   If your property manager is not added to your insurance policy as an additional insured, they may be forced to purchase their own insurance policy to protect themselves. This can be costly for your property manager, and you may end up having to pay for their insurance policy, which can add unnecessary expenses to your budget.

3. It strengthens your relationship with your property manager.

   Adding your property manager as an additional insured is a gesture of good faith that shows you are committed to protecting their interests. It can strengthen your relationship with your property manager and demonstrate that you value their contributions to your business.

4. It helps ensure compliance with lease agreements.

   Many lease agreements require landlords to name their property managers as additional insured parties on their insurance policies. By doing so, you ensure compliance with your lease agreement and avoid potential legal disputes down the line.

In conclusion, adding your property manager to your insurance policy as an additional insured is a crucial step in protecting both yourself and your property manager. It can save you money, strengthen your relationship with your property manager, and help ensure compliance with lease agreements. If you haven't already done so, consider reaching out to your insurance provider to add your property manager as an additional insured today.