Policy canceled for renting to students

[Andrew Stewart]

I obtained a new insurance policy for my 2 unit house about a month ago, and I just received notice that my policy would be canceled due to RENTING TO STUDENTS. I have never rented to students. However, I did post an ad on a student housing website a few years ago, this is what the underwriter found when researching my property. Both of my tenants work full time and have 12 month leases. My insurance agent says most all insurance companies do not allow student rentals unless it is a commercial policy. I had no idea that they could discriminate against renting to students. For all of you that do rent to students, unless you have a commercial policy that allows student rental, if anything happened and you had to submit a claim they would likely deny it. Is it legal for them to cancel a policy based on finding that I had at one time advertised to students?

[Ricardo Alonso]

@Andrew Stewart

Hey Andrew,

Yes it is legal for an insurance company to cancel your policy based on renting to students if it wasn't disclosed in the application. They can basically cancel you for anything except discrimination. Have your insurance agent call the insurance company, and send them a letter signed by you stating that there is no students renting your property. This might suffice and the policy MIGHT remain in force. Hope this helps.

Thanks,

Ricardo Alonso