CBIZ vs. Proper Insurance

[Sara Abernethy]

Does anyone endorse CBIZ vs. Proper?  The policies seem pretty similar.

[Julie McCoy]

@Sara Abernethy when I submitted for quotes from both of them, Proper called me in an hour.  CBIZ called me in two days.  Given the similarities of their policies and prices, there was no question I was going with Proper.  I now have three policies through them and they're always very easy to reach and prompt with responses.  I have not had to file any claims so can't speak to that side of things.  One of the endorsements I recall that Proper has that CBIZ does not is: Proper's coverage includes if you gift alcohol to your guests, or if previous guests left alcohol behind - I believe other policies will not cover liability pertaining to alcohol, but Proper does.  

@Tim Schroeder It is important to have a commercial policy that covers your business activities at your short-term rental (which is, of course, hosting guests).  Traditional homeowner's and landlord policies DO NOT cover these activities.  If a local insurance agent draws up a policy that covers the commercial use of the property, liability, and other things unique to STRs along with standard homeowner's coverage, then you'd just have to weigh the value of their offering vs. a Proper or CBIZ policy.  If the policies are comparable, then it's just a matter of your preference and comfort level.  But make sure the policies are in fact comparable.  

I like going with Proper because I know they're designed to cover STR business activity as well as standard homeowner's coverage (they even cover lost income if you can't rent due to a claim), they've thought through this particular model - which means I don't have to. If I tried to get a tailored policy through a more traditional company, I'd be concerned that I'd simply overlook something important that the insurance agent wouldn't think to write in (such as: I leave a bottle of wine for a guest. They drink it and fall down the stairs. Other insurance says: Oh, you provided alcohol, we didn't write in coverage for that liability! Too bad. Proper says: We thought of that already, no problem, you're covered!)

Insurance is one of those things where I'm not going to try to get fancy and cut corners.

By the way - make sure your umbrella policy covers the commercial activity of your STR. A standard personal umbrella will not.