Skip to content
×
PRO
Pro Members Get Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
$0
TODAY
$69.00/month when billed monthly.
$32.50/month when billed annually.
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
Washington Real Estate Q&A Discussion Forum
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated about 5 years ago, 11/08/2019

User Stats

12
Posts
8
Votes
James Krusmark
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Tacoma, WA
8
Votes |
12
Posts

A house hack that is virtually impossible to insure?!?!

James Krusmark
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Tacoma, WA
Posted

So, Im house hacking.  In August I bought a 6 bedroom house in Tacoma.  My intentions from the get-go were to rent 5 rooms and live in one until my 1 year seasoning period is over, then rent my room and move into the next house hack.  Im finding out that my current insurance is not adequate for this.  In the last 2 days, I have called no less than 20 insurance companies, agent, brokers, etc.  They are all telling me the same thing 'We won't touch it!'.  Im hearing various reasons for not being able to insure it, but the common theme is the amount of tenants (up to 6 at any given time), and the fact that the kitchen and bathrooms are shared.  The fact that I am living here as my primary residence is only complicating things.

It seems like regular homeowners insurance is, for the most part, OK with up to two boarders at a time.  

I don't qualify for a regular landlord policy because I live here and the number of potential unrelated tenants. 

I don't qualify for a commercial policy because each "unit" doesn't have its own kitchen and bathroom.  

I don't qualify for a short term rental policy because my leases are at least 30 days, and for the number of potential unrelated tenants.

I know that I am not the only one using this house hacking strategy, and that somewhere out there in the big blue yonder, there is an agent that can help me.

Since I know it's going to come up... My leases are month to month because the city has different requirements for short term rentals vs long term rentals.  I'm currently looking into the city requirements for short term rentals, but I would like to stick with longer term tenants to minimize turnover.

The one work around that I got from a reputable agent with one of the bigger companies, was to get a regular homeowners policy with higher limits and require renters to get a renters liability policy( which I already do) of at least $500k with me listed as additional insured AND the renter polices need to be with him.  It makes sense and the agent is willing to put it in writing.  I just feel like a policy that is specific to my situation would help me sleep at night.

Loading replies...