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!

[Carolina E.]

@Steve Booth Hi Steve, most insurance companies that I have dealt with will not insure your property while it is vacant. Even if you have multiple properties they are sticklers on that. There is an insurance company that works with investors. Check out REI Guard.