Make sure your insurance coverage is current and appropriate

So you have purchased your dream vacation home. You are ready to rent it out to share what the area has to offer with other people. Now is the time to think about adequate insurance coverage for your new home. Just like you do for your main residence, it is critical to pay attention and select the best option for insurance for your vacation rental.

The best way to go about this is to consult your insurance agent for advice on coverage and premiums. There are so many options out there, and it’s always wise to ask an expert. Make sure the agent understands that you will be doing nightly rentals since that will affect your necessary coverage and potential special clauses.

You probably will not want a standard homeowner’s policy because a rental property poses more risk than a home that qualifies exclusively as personal use. It is also not applicable since your vacation rental is a business, and usual homeowner’s insurance does not cover business activities.

Inquire about coverage for liability, lost rents such as in case of cancellations, furnishings etc. There are specific rental home policies out there that take into consideration that guests will be staying at your property. Also, insurance coverage is of course country and province/state specific so look into the details.

If you are not comfortable with the advice you have received, talk to another agent.

Here are a few useful resources to tackle insurance coverage for your vacation rental: