Insurance for a rental property

[Steve Booth]

Hi all!

Well I have an agreement of sale for my first property!  I am working through financing, etc.  It's zoned something called "AO" which is "Apartment/Office".  Seems I am needing a commercial mortgage for this.  Lucky me:)  So my question is about property insurance.  I see something out there called "Landlord Insurance".  Is that a requirement for insuring a rental property, or can I get "regular" homeowners insurance?  Reason I ask is that I've spoken to a few companies and they are telling me that since it will be vacant for about 4 months (estimate to get it ready) they won't insure it.  Anyone run into this before?  I need the insurance for the mortgage.

Thanks so much!