With insurance companies canceling policies and raising rates has anyone uncovered a way to self insure rental properties?  

I know we generally talk about redlining in terms of access to mortgages and other financial instruments, but doesn't NAR have some policies around it too and how real estate agents operate around the topic?

I do recommend creating (and keeping updated) written policies for all of your leasing and screening process, and making them available to folks during the application and screening process (talking about, sending links to, emailing, & reminding, the more times they see it the better even though they likely won't read it).

Do to the state mandates that require 100% reserves in all categories, combined with the rising cost of their neighborhood insurance policy, my strong recommendation is you find out what further anticipated spikes in association dues & if any possible special assessments are looming.

(The claim situation)How did the umbrella policy protect you?

You will need special Lessor policy. 

For a single property, a strong umbrella insurance policy may offer sufficient protection at a lower cost.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary has brought renewed attention to a long-debated policy move: the potential privatization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

You should always require them to add you to their policy as "additional insured" or "additional interest" and you will be notified if they cancel or change their policy.

@Fetch PhoenixI'll add something that may apply....your current policy may already exclude wind and/or fire, which means that you could already be without protection.