While Florida is one of the best places to invest in rental properties, the climate brings even more risks to owning and renting out an investment property than elsewhere in the US market. That’s why it’s a must for Florida landlords to find the top insurance to protect their properties against damage and themselves against liabilities.
In this article, we will rank the 6 best landlord insurance companies in Florida. We’ll look at the coverage that they provide and the price that they charge in order to locate the best value for money. We’ll also consider what existing landlords think about each of these insurances, and we’ll show you how to get started with your top choice.
The 6 best landlord insurance companies in Florida are:
- Obie: Best Overall Landlord Insurance Company in Florida
- Cypress Property & Casualty Insurance Company: Best for Comprehensive Coverage
- Frontline Insurance: Best for Flexible coverage
- Florida Family Insurance: Best for Short-Term and Long-Term Rentals
- UPC Insurance: Best for Vacant Rentals
- Tower Hill Insurance Group: Best for Lost Rental Income
How We Ranked the Best Landlord Insurance Companies in Florida
In our selection of the top landlord insurance providers in the Florida market, we used a number of different factors to evaluate each company and make sure to rank only the best options.
We focused on the following criteria for comprehensive evaluation and objective ranking:
- Risk coverage: We searched for Florida insurance companies that cover all the risks associated with running a rental property business, including property damage, furnishings and appliances, medical expenses, and landlord liability.
- Flexibility: We aimed to find insurance companies that give Florida landlords the option to customize their policy to fit the exact needs of their property.
- Location: We focused on local companies as they are familiar with the Florida market and can provide protection against the risks there, such as weather. However, we also included national companies with a strong reputation.
- Cost: We considered companies whose pricing structure reflects the market, the property type and size, and the policy coverage in order to provide competitive cost and not overcharge.
- Property types coverage: We found companies that work with different property types (single-family homes, condos, townhouses, and multifamily properties) and with both rental strategies (short-term rentals and long-term rentals).
- History and financial stability: We considered how long each company has been in business and how well diversified its finances are.
- Customer reviews: We went through online reviews on third-party websites to check what experiences real estate property owners in Florida have had with each insurance company.
- Value for money: We focused on insurance companies that offer the best value for money to landlords in Florida by charging exactly what their coverage is worth.
Obie: Best Overall Landlord Insurance Company in Florida
Obie specializes in the provision of insurance for investment properties including both short-term and long-term rentals as well as multi-family homes and commercial properties. The company was founded in 2017, with headquarters in Chicago, IL. Obie has nationwide coverage and has insured $4 billion worth of properties. As an insurance broker using the power of technology, Obie is able to source the best rates for insurances that match the exact needs of each landlord. That’s what makes Obie the best overall landlord insurance in the State of Florida.
Obie Landlord Insurance Cost
The price of the landlord insurance provided by Obie depends on the location, the building materials, the coverage, and the annual rental income. As an insurance brokerage with a wide network, Obie is able to secure competitive rates. Overall, landlords are able to save up to 25% on their current policy when switching to Obie, which is an easy process.
Obie Landlord Insurance Coverage
Obie covers single-family homes, apartments (5+ units), condos, and multi-family homes (2-4 units). The insurance protects long-term rentals when they are rented out, when they are being renovated, and even when they are vacant. Moreover, it works with short-term rentals too.
The Obie rental property insurance provides comprehensive coverage including:
- Damage to the property structure
- Liability
- Loss of rental income
Pros and Cons of Obie Landlord Insurance
Getting the Obie landlord insurance for long-term rentals comes with certain benefits and drawbacks.
The most important pros of choosing Obie include:
- Large, nationwide company: As a national company, Obie guarantees best practices and best value for money.
- Complete coverage: The Obie landlord insurance covers all the needs of rental property investors.
- Insurance brokerage: Obie is not simply an insurance company but an insurance brokerage with access to the policies of numerous insurance companies to choose the best terms and price for its customers.
- Optimization Through Technology: As a technology-driven company, Obie is able to provide the best policy terms at the best rates.
- Competitive rates: The Obie method provides landlords with access to competitive pricing and helps them save on insurance premiums.
The main cons of the Obie landlord insurance to consider are:
- Incomplete information: The Obie website does not offer detailed information on the provided coverage, so real estate investors need to contact a company representative to learn more.
- Unavailable cost range: The Obie website does not give a range of possible landlord insurance prices in Florida.
Obie Insurance Reviews by Landlords
There are more than 100 online reviews of Obie which show very positive experiences.
You can find Obie reviews by landlords on:
- Google: Currently 4.8/5 stars based on 168 reviews
Satisfied real estate investors praise the agents’ ability to find the best policies, the professionalism of the team, the exceptional service, the effortless transitions from other companies, and the efficient communication. Dissatisfied customers mention delays in receiving a quote, declined claims, and high insurance premiums.
How to Get Obie Landlord Insurance
To get started with the best overall landlord insurance in Florida, long-term rental property investors can get an instant quote on the Obie website or 773-820-7132.
Cypress Property & Casualty Insurance Company: Best for Comprehensive Coverage
Cypress Property & Casualty Insurance Company provides innovative insurance products through a team of 100+ professionals. The company was founded in 1998, with headquarters in Jacksonville, FL. Cypress serves the needs of homeowners and rental property investors in Florida and Texas. The landlord insurance offers one of the most extensive coverages among all available options in the Sunshine State.
Cypress Property & Casualty Landlord Insurance Cost
Cypress does not give information on the pricing of the Dwelling Fire Insurance which covers the needs of landlords. Interested real estate investors need to get in touch with a Cypress agent to discuss their rental property in order to get a quote.
It’s important to mention that Cypress provides many different discounts based on the property and the available equipment. Discounts are available for new homes, superior construction, secured communities, community building codes, central burglar alarm, central fire alarms, indoor sprinklers, wind loss mitigation features, and loss-free renewal.
Cypress Property & Casualty Landlord Insurance Coverage
The Cypress Dwelling Fire Insurance matches the needs of investment properties rented out to non-owners as permanent residents or long-term rentals. Each policy is tailored to the specific property and its needs after the landlord speaks with a Cypress agent.
The Cypress landlord insurance covers:
- Dwelling: The structure of the rental property including walls, roof, attached garage, etc.
- Other structures: The separate structures on the rental property such as a detached garage or a shed.
- Personal property: Property owner’s belongings within the rental property.
- Loss of rent/fair rental value: Lost rental income in case the rental property becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss.
- Personal liability: Protection for the property owner if someone files a lawsuit claiming the owner caused them bodily injury or property damage in connection with the rental.
- Medical payments: Protection for people not living at the rental property if they are injured on the property.
In addition to the above-listed comprehensive coverage, the Cypress dwelling fire insurance in Florida provides the additional optional coverage:
- Water backup: Damage to home or personal property resulting from water that backs up through sewers and drains or overflows from a pump.
- Replacement cost for personal property: Loss settlement for property owner’s personal property based on replacement cost.
- Ordinance or law: Increase in repair cost due to local laws or ordinances.
- Sinkhole loss coverage: Damage to home and personal property as a result of a sinkhole on the property.
- Screened enclosure: Hurricane damage to screened enclosures and permanently attached carports.
Moreover, there is a separate Condominium & Rental Property Insurance which focuses on the needs of condo rentals.
Pros and Cons of Cypress Property & Casualty Landlord Insurance
Before deciding if Cypress Property & Casualty INsurance Company offers the best landlord insurance for their needs, investors need to consider the advantages and disadvantages.
The most significant pros associated with the Cypress Dwelling Fire Insurance are:
- Regional expertise: As Cypress focuses on Florida and Texas, they are able to provide services tailored to the needs of landlords in these two states, reflecting local specifications.
- Hurricane and storm preparedness: Due to the nature of the local climate, Cypress has the expertise to react in cases of hurricanes and storms.
- Full coverage: The Cypress Dwelling Fire Insurance covers everything that a long-term rental property requires.
- Customizable policies: The insurance policies are personalized to the needs of each rental.
- Multiple discounts: Landlords can qualify for different discounts to lower the price of their insurance, depending on their property.
The major cons of the Cypress landlord insurance include:
- Lack of cost information: The Cypress Property & Casualty Insurance Company website does not provide a range of expected prices. Landlords need to speak to an agent to get a quote.
- Insufficient information on property type: Cypress does not specify what types of properties their landlord insurance covers.
Cypress Property & Casualty Insurance Company Reviews by Landlords
There are a few dozen online reviews of Cypress Property & Casualty Insurance Company, with a poor overall rating.
You can find Cypress reviews by landlords on:
- Clearsurance: Currently 1.23/5 stars based on 21 reviews
- BBB.org: Currently 2.6/5 stars based on 5 reviews
- Yelp: Currently 1.0/5 stars based on 1 review
Positive reviews by landlords focus on the quick handling of claims, the adequate response in case of hurricanes, the comprehensive coverage, and the caring team. Negative reviews talk about early cancellations, cost increases, slow claim responses, and denied claims.
How to Get Cypress Property & Casualty Landlord Insurance
To get started with the best landlord insurance for comprehensive coverage in Florida, real estate investors can search for an agent via the Cypress Property & Casualty Insurance Company website or call 877-560-5224.
Frontline Insurance: Best for Flexibility
Frontline Insurance aims to provide smart, customizable solutions to homeowners and real estate investors across the Southeast. The company was founded in 1998, with headquarters in Lake Mary, FL. In addition to Florida, Frontline also covers Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. They have $124 billion actively insured, $2.4 billion claims paid, and $4.1 billion premiums. The most northworthy benefit of the Frontline landlord insurance is the flexibility in policies.
Frontline Landlord Insurance Cost
Frontline does not provide an estimated cost for its Rental Property Insurance. Interested property owners need to contact the company to speak with an agent to get a quote with specifics. Landlords can pay for their insurance policy in full, in 2 installments, and in 4 installments.
Frontline Landlord Insurance Coverage
The Frontline Rental Property Insurance is specifically designed to protect investment properties rented out on a long-term basis. The coverage is fully flexible and customizable based on the needs of the investor and the property.
Furthermore, Frontline has a dedicated Condominium Owners Insurance that can be used for short-term condo rentals. The High Value Insurance protects properties valued at $1+ million, inland, along the shoreline, and on barrier islands. Flood Insurance can be added to the landlord insurance too.
Frontline ensures best-fit rental property policies through a team of local, knowledgeable agents and a skilled underwriting team.
Pros and Cons of Frontline Landlord Insurance
Just like the other best landlord insurance companies in Florida, Frontline comes with some benefits and drawbacks.
The most important pros of working with Frontline Insurance include:
- Local company: Frontline has limited regional coverage, which means that it focuses on the specific needs of Florida properties and landlords.
- Flexible policies: The landlord insurance can be customized to fit the exact needs of each rental and its owner.
- Full coverage: The policy is designed to cover everything required for a long-term rental property.
- Various property types: Frontline insures different types of rental properties.
The main cons of getting the Frontline Rental Property Insurance are:
- Lack of specific information: The Frontline Insurance website provides only general information, so landlords need to contact the company to get the specifics.
- Unclear pricing: Real estate investors have to speak to a Frontline agent to get a quote.
Frontline Insurance Reviews by Landlords
There are 2,000+ online reviews of Frontline Insurance that show positive overall experiences.
You can find Frontline Insurance reviews by landlords on:
- Google: Currently 4.5/5 stars based on 1,824 reviews
- Clearsurance: Currently 3.13/5 stars based on 95 reviews
- Yelp: Currently 1.5/5 stars based on 65 reviews
Satisfied real estate investors highlight the different types of coverage available, the accommodating services, the excellent communication, the smooth inspection process, the efficient staff, and the professional and supportive customer service team. Dissatisfied property owners mention sudden cancellations, higher than expected bills, delays in responses to claims, unwillingness to pay in full, and unprofessional customer support.
How to Get Frontline Landlord Insurance
To get started with the best landlord insurance for flexible policies in Florida, rental property owners can fill in an online form on the Frontline Insurance website to find an agent or call 877-744-5224. The Frontline agent will help them customize the policy and provide them with a quote.
Florida Family Insurance: Best for Short-Term and Long-Term Rentals
Florida Family Insurance is a Florida-based insurance company that works exclusively in the Sunshine State. The company was founded in 1996, with headquarters in Bonita Springs, FL. Florida Family works with 115,000+ policyholders throughout the state. The team takes pride in being Floridians who serve the market that they know - namely, Florida homeowners. They manage to respond to 97% of calls to the customer service department within 30 seconds. What makes the Florida Family landlord insurance stand out from competitors is that it works with both short-term and long-term rental properties.
Florida Family Landlord Insurance Cost
The Florida Family Rental Property Insurance cost depends on a number of different factors including:
- Coverage
- Location
- Property age
- Property condition
- Landlord’s needs
- Budget
- Short-term vs. long-term rental
The Florida Family agent works with the rental property owner to customize the insurance policy to fit the specifications of the property and the requirements of the landlord. This will determine the final cost of the policy.
Florida Family Landlord Insurance Coverage
The Florida Family Rental Property Insurance works with single-family homes and multi-family homes with 2-4 units. It doesn’t work with condos. Condo owners can get the Florida Family Condo Insurance which can be extended to rental condos.
The landlord insurance provides comprehensive coverage for all losses except what is explicitly excluded in the policy. Additional coverage can include:
- Personal property: Personal possessions located in the residence in the event of a covered loss
- Premises liability: Claims filed against landlords as a result of accidental injuries to others and unintended property damage caused by the landlord
- Medical payments: Medical expenses incurred by others for injuries sustained on the property
- Replacement cost on contents: Replacing personal property damaged by a covered loss with new property at the current market value
- Theft coverage: Replacing personal property due to theft
- Flood: Through the National Flood Insurance Program
Pros and Cons of Florida Family Landlord Insurance
Before deciding if the Florida Family Insurance is the best choice for their property, landlords need to consider its advantages and disadvantages.
The main pros of the Florida Family Rental Policy Insurance include:
- Florida-based company: Florida Family is an expert on covering the exact needs of local real estate investors and their properties.
- Both rental strategies: Florida Family protects both short-term and long-term rental properties.
- Comprehensive coverage: Based on the information available on the company website, the landlord policy seems to cover everything needed in a rental business.
- Different property types: There are options for single-family homes, small multi-family homes, and condos.
- Adjustable policies: The insurance policy can be customized to each property.
The major cons of the Florida Family landlord insurance are:
- Lack of extensive information: The Florida Family Insurance website does not provide comprehensive information on what exactly is covered and what is not and what the coverage limits are.
- Absence of cost range: There is no online information on the pricing range or estimates, so landlords need to speak to an agent to get a quote.
Florida Family Insurance Reviews by Landlords
There are fewer than 100 online reviews of Florida Family by landlords, which show generally negative experiences.
You can find Florida Family Insurance reviews by landlords on:
- Birdeye: Currently 3.0/5 stars based on 25 reviews
- Clearsurance: Currently 2.58/5 stars based on 22 reviews
- Google: Currently 3.3/0 stars based on 20 reviews
- BBB.org: Currently 1.75/5 stars based on 8 reviews
- Yelp: Currently 1.0/5 stars based on 2 reviews
Happy landlords praise the easy claim process, efficient claim responses, fair pricing and competitive rates, the support provided by the team during tough times, and the professional customer service team. Unhappy customers complain about not receiving promised coverage, policy cancellations after full payment, unexpected price increases, and high costs compared to other companies.
How to Get Florida Family Landlord Insurance
To get started with the best landlord insurance for both short-term and long-term rentals in Florida, rental property owners can submit an online form via the Florida Family Insurance website or 888-850-4663. They will work with an agent to customize the policy coverage and receive a quote.
UPC Insurance: Best Landlord Insurance Company in Florida for Vacant Rentals
UPC Insurance aims to help real estate property owners restore their home and personal property to their prior condition. The company was founded in 1999, with headquarters in St. Petersburg, FL. UPC Insurance operates in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. Among other best landlord insurance companies in Florida, UPC stands out for its extended vacancy coverage.
UPC Landlord Insurance Cost
UPC Insurance does not provide information on the cost of its long-rental property insurance. Landlords need to speak with a UPC Insurance agent to get a quote.
UPC Landlord Insurance Coverage
UPC Insurance has a special insurance type to cover seasonal and secondary homes as well as rental properties. The insurance requires a minimum of three months of dwelling in the insured property.
This is essentially a dwelling fire insurance needed to protect rental properties against specific dangers like fire, windstorm, and lightning.
Landlords can opt for enhanced coverage including:
- Vacancy Extensions Endorsement: Extending to 90 days as opposed to the standard 30 days, making this insurance a good fit for landlords still looking for tenants.
- Water back-up
- Coverage A
- Home Systems Protection
- Service Line Coverage
Pros and Cons of UPC Landlord Insurance
Similar to the other best landlord insurance providers in the State of Florida, UPC Insurance has its own benefits and drawbacks.
The most noteworthy pros of UPC Insurance include:
- Focused geographical coverage: As UPC Insurance works in a few US states, it can tailor its policies based on regional specifications and needs.
- Various additional coverages: While the Dwelling Fire Insurance is relatively limited, landlords can add different policies to protect their investment property.
- Extended vacancy rental property protection: UPC Insurance covers properties that are vacant for up to 90 days, giving landlords the time to find new renters.
The most important cons of the UPC Dwelling Fire Insurance are:
- Limited standard coverage: UPC Dwelling Fire Insurance covers mostly against fires, windstorms, and lightning.
- No pricing information: Landlords don’t know how much they will have to pay for their rental property insurance before speaking to a UPC Insurance agent.
- Unclear property type coverage: UPC Insurance does not explain what property types they insure.
UPC Insurance Reviews by Landlords
There are around 200 online reviews of UPC Insurance that show mixed experiences.
You can find UPC Insurance reviews by landlords on:
- Clearsurance: Currently 3.07/5 stars based on 129 reviews
- BBB.org: Currently 1.11/5 stars based on 66 reviews
Positive reviews from landlords praise the quick claim processing, the fair estimates, the fast payments, the responsive team, and the professional customer service. Negative reviews highlight neglected claims, low estimates, slow processes, and lack of communication.
How to Get UPC Landlord Insurance
To get started with the best landlord insurance for vacant rentals in Florida, property investors can visit the UPC Insurance website or call 800-861-4370. They will get a quote after talking to an agent and discussing their property.
Tower Hill Insurance Group: Best Landlord Insurance Company in Florida for Lost Rental Income
Tower Hill Insurance Group (THIG) is the largest residential property insurance company in Florida, represented by 850+ insurance agencies. The company was founded in 1972, with headquarters in Gainesville, FL. THIG offers a wide range of property insurance types including such tailored for the needs of rental property owners. Their landlord insurance provides excellent protection against lost rental income.
Tower Hill Landlord Insurance Cost
The cost of the Tower Hill landlord insurance depends on multiple factors, including:
- Address
- Coverage limit
- Property type
- Building construction material
- Year built
- Whether the roof has been replaced
- Roof material
Tower Hill Landlord Insurance Coverage
Tower Hill Insurance offers dwelling fire insurance for tenant-occupied homes. The landlord insurance works with single-family homes, townhomes, rowhomes, and multi-family units with 2-4 units. Tower Hill has a special condo insurance that can protect rental condos.
The standard THIG landlord rental property insurance covers:
- Physical damage to the property structure
- Physical damage to items provided for renters’ use
Additional coverage is available for:
- Liability
- Medical expenses
- Loss of rental income
The insurance policy is customizable to reflect the exact needs of each property and each landlord. Real estate investors work with a Tower Hill Insurance agent to determine the exact coverage.
Pros and Cons of Tower Hill Landlord Insurance
The rental property insurance of Tower Hill Insurance Group comes with some advantages and disadvantages which investors need to consider.
The main pros of THIG are:
- Local focus: Tower Hill insures properties exclusively in Florida, so its policies are tailored to the needs of local homeowners.
- Different property types coverage: The THIG landlord insurance covers various types of residential properties.
- Customizable policies: The landlord insurance policy can be adjusted to the needs of each rental and landlord.
- Lost rental income protection: Tower Hill protects against the loss of rental income.
The most significant cons of the THIG landlord insurance include:
- Unclear cost: The Tower Hill Insurance Group website does not provide information on the pricing of the landlord insurance.
- Absence of exact coverage information: The website does not specify the coverage amount.
Tower Hill Insurance Reviews by Landlords
There are a few hundred online reviews of Tower Hill, with an average overall rating.
You can find Tower Hill Insurance Group reviews by landlords on:
- BBB.org: Currently 3.68/5 stars based on 198 reviews
- Clearsurance: Currently 2.93/5 stars based on 147 reviews
- Yelp: Currently 1.5/5 stars based on 127 reviews
Happy property owners comment on the quick turnaround, the competitive prices, the good coverage, the great communication, and the excellent customer service. Unhappy customers complain about cancellations after full payment, no payments of claims, unjustified premium increases, and inability to connect with the customer support team.
How to Get Tower Hill Landlord Insurance
To get started with the best landlord insurance for lost rental income in Florida, real estate investors can fill in an online form on the Tower Hill website to get a quote or call 800-342-3407. They can also find an agent through the website to get in touch with.
Takeaway
There are plenty of national and local insurance companies to choose from in the State of Florida, each with its own pros and cons. Our review shows that Obie offers the best landlord insurance in Florida because of the comprehensive coverage and the competitive pricing, delivered through a technology-enabled process. Meanwhile, Florida Family Insurance and Frontline Insurance are good choices for landlords who prefer to work with local companies offering maximum flexibility. UPC Insurance might be the right choice for investors with properties suffering from high vacancy.