Insurance for rental property

Insurance for rental property

Albany, NY · Member since 2019 · 60 posts · 25 votes

Hi, I need help with different type of insurance. I think I heard on a podcast that you can insure only the value of the mortgage for a rental. For example, 

1. The building is bought for $200 000. 

2. The mortgage is $160 000

3. Reconstruction cost estimated by insurance cie $600 000

Can I get insurance for only $160 000 or $200 000 instead of $600 000? Or can I get something in between? The idea here is to save on insurance cost and if something happens we would just put the money in another deal instead of building it back. On a small scale it might not seam like a good idea but on a big picture a lot of insurance cost could be saved and the risk to lose everything is not that big. I tried to find info on BP but I don't remember on which podcast I heard something like that or where I read it. Insurance cie seems to say there is no other way to set the insurance than the $600 000 value.

Thanks

0Reply
22 views

Most Popular Reply

Insurance Agent · Norwalk, CT · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
6y
Jonathan, There are 3 types of valuation typically used by Insurance companies: Replacement Cost (cost to rebuild with the same kind & quality), Actual Cash Value (replacement cost minus depreciation), and Agreed Value (an agreed amount of coverage between Ins Company and Insured - rarely used). It sounds like you are looking to insure the Actual Cash Value (ACV). That value should be close to the market value of the property minus the land and foundations market value. One thing to be aware of is, if you insure based on ACV, a partial loss will have a deduction for depreciation. If the RC of the building is $600.000 and the ACV is say $150,000, the depreciation could be as much as 75% of the the loss.
See this reply in the discussion

8 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Insurance Agent · Norwalk, CT · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y
    Jonathan, There are 3 types of valuation typically used by Insurance companies: Replacement Cost (cost to rebuild with the same kind & quality), Actual Cash Value (replacement cost minus depreciation), and Agreed Value (an agreed amount of coverage between Ins Company and Insured - rarely used). It sounds like you are looking to insure the Actual Cash Value (ACV). That value should be close to the market value of the property minus the land and foundations market value. One thing to be aware of is, if you insure based on ACV, a partial loss will have a deduction for depreciation. If the RC of the building is $600.000 and the ACV is say $150,000, the depreciation could be as much as 75% of the the loss.
  • Albany, NY · Member since 2019 · 60 posts · 25 votes
    6y

    Thanks, I think they spoke about it in show 64. I'll listen to this one again. Thanks for your time. It makes a lot of sense. It all comes down to a risk tolerance question issue. I'll try to connect with insurance broker in the Albany Ny region to figure it out.

  • Investor · Marin County California · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    6y

    Insurance costs are generally minimal.  Barring some exceptional facts, this is not the area you need to focus on cost control.  Being under insured is usually penny wise pound foolish.  Just my two cents.  

  • Insurance Agent · Albany, NY · Member since 2020 · 32 posts · 21 votes
    6y

    I always recommend brickhouseinsurance.com for insurance in the Albany area. 

  • Albany, NY · Member since 2019 · 60 posts · 25 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Darius Ogloza:

    I understand but I think it depends how many units you own, what are your goals, how fast you want to achieve them, and how much risk you are able to bear. I like to see both sides of the medals. Thanks for the input.

  • Albany, NY · Member since 2019 · 60 posts · 25 votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Andrew Pope:

    I'll have a look for sure. Thanks

  • Jason BottPro Member
    Insurance Agent · Nationwide · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    @Jonathan Leblond be aware of the Coinsurance clause and have the agent run claim examples for you.

    If you insure for $200k and the rebuild is $600k, a policy with a Coinsurance clause could potentially only pay out 33% of the claim.  You would need to be able to fix a $100k kitchen fire with $33k.

    Bottom line, make sure the premium savings is worth the risk.

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.