Landlord Insurance

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 PROPERTY COVERAGE · UPSTATE SC

Landlord Insurance in Greenville, SC

Your standard homeowners policy doesn't cover rental properties. Whether you own one rental home or a growing portfolio, we build the right landlord coverage for your investment.

30+
CARRIER PARTNERS

1 or 20+
PROPERTIES COVERED

Local
GREENVILLE-BASED AGENT

Fast
NO-OBLIGATION QUOTES

LICENSED IN SOUTH CAROLINA · NORTH CAROLINA · GEORGIA

what is iT?

Landlord Insurance: Built for Rental Properties, Not Homeowners

Landlord insurance — also called a dwelling fire policy or rental property insurance — is a specialized coverage designed for properties you own but do not occupy as your primary residence. It replaces your standard homeowners policy for rental properties and addresses risks that an HO3 policy simply isn't built to handle.


When you rent a property to tenants, your exposure changes fundamentally. You're no longer just protecting a home — you're protecting an income-generating asset. Tenant liability, lost rental income from a covered loss, and property damage caused by renters are all exposures that standard homeowners coverage excludes or severely limits.


With Greenville and the broader Upstate SC market continuing to attract residents and investors alike, rental property ownership is growing across the region. Priority Insurance helps landlords of all sizes get the right coverage — whether you own a single-family rental in Mauldin or a multi-unit portfolio across Spartanburg and Greer.

HO3 VS. LANDLORD POLICY

HO3 Landlord
Dwelling structure coverage
Rental income loss (covered peril)
Landlord liability coverage
Tenant damage / malicious acts ✓ opt
Landlord-owned appliances
Tenant personal property

What Landlord Insurance Covers

A landlord policy is built around the specific risks of owning income-producing residential property — from structure protection to lost rent and liability.

core COVERAGE

Dwelling Protection

Covers the physical structure of your rental property against fire, windstorm, hail, lightning, vandalism, and other covered perils. Coverage is based on replacement cost — what it costs to rebuild, not market value.

Income Protection

Lost Rental Income

If a covered loss — fire, storm damage, or other insured peril — makes your property uninhabitable, this coverage reimburses you for lost rental income while repairs are underway. Protecting your cash flow is as important as protecting the structure.

Liability

Landlord Liability

Covers your legal exposure if a tenant or visitor is injured on the property and holds you responsible. Legal defense costs, medical expenses, and settlements are covered — critical protection for any property owner.

Contents

Landlord-Owned Contents

Covers appliances, furniture, and equipment you provide as part of the rental — refrigerators, washers, dryers, window units, and similar items. Tenant-owned belongings are not covered and require the tenant's own renters insurance.

Optional Add-On

Malicious Tenant Damage

Standard policies don't automatically cover intentional damage by tenants. This endorsement adds protection against malicious acts — a practical consideration for any rental property owner, regardless of how carefully you screen tenants.

Optional Add-On

Rent Guarantee Insurance

Covers lost rental income in the event a tenant stops paying rent — even without a covered property loss. This optional endorsement is separate from standard lost rental income coverage and applies to tenant default situations.

Types of Landlord Policies

Landlord coverage is not one-size-fits-all. The right policy form depends on what type of property you own and how it's used.

DP1

Basic Form — Dwelling Fire

Named Perils · Actual Cash Value

The most basic and affordable form. Covers only the named perils listed in the policy — typically fire, lightning, and a limited set of additional events. Pays claims on an actual cash value basis, meaning depreciation is deducted. Best suited for lower-value rentals where budget is the primary concern.

DP2

Broad Form — Dwelling Fire

Named Perils · Replacement Cost

A step up from DP1 — covers a broader list of named perils and typically pays on a replacement cost basis. A solid middle-ground option for landlords who want meaningful coverage without the cost of an open-perils policy.

DP3

Special Form — Dwelling Fire

Open Perils · Replacement Cost

The most comprehensive landlord policy form — open-perils coverage for the dwelling (any cause of loss not specifically excluded) and replacement cost settlement. This is the recommended standard for most Upstate SC rental properties and the form Priority Insurance most commonly recommends.

Why Upstate SC Landlords Need the Right Coverage Now

The Greenville-Spartanburg rental market has grown significantly in recent years — and with growth comes increased exposure for property owners who aren't properly covered.

Growing

Greenville's Rental Market

Greenville County has seen consistent population growth and rising rental demand. More tenants means more landlord exposure — and more reason to ensure your coverage keeps pace with the value of your investment

General Liability Insurance

Protects your business against third-party claims for bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury. If a customer slips in your store, your employee damages a client's property, or someone sues over your marketing — this coverage responds. It also pays your legal defense costs, regardless of fault.

HO3 ≠

Your Home Policy Won't Work

Using a homeowners policy on a property you don't occupy as your primary residence is a coverage gap that can void your claim. Carriers require the appropriate policy form for the actual use of the property.

General Liability Insurance

Protects your business against third-party claims for bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury. If a customer slips in your store, your employee damages a client's property, or someone sues over your marketing — this coverage responds. It also pays your legal defense costs, regardless of fault.

1 or 10+

Portfolio Coverage Options

Whether you own a single rental or a growing portfolio across Upstate SC, we structure coverage appropriately — individual property policies or blanket policies for multi-property investors depending on what makes sense.

General Liability Insurance

Protects your business against third-party claims for bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury. If a customer slips in your store, your employee damages a client's property, or someone sues over your marketing — this coverage responds. It also pays your legal defense costs, regardless of fault.

Tenants

Require Renters Insurance

Landlord policies do not cover tenant belongings. We recommend — and can help facilitate — requiring tenants to carry their own renters insurance as a lease condition. It protects them and reduces your liability exposure.

General Liability Insurance

Protects your business against third-party claims for bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury. If a customer slips in your store, your employee damages a client's property, or someone sues over your marketing — this coverage responds. It also pays your legal defense costs, regardless of fault.

Who We Help in Upstate SC

From accidental landlords to seasoned investors, we write rental property coverage for all types of owners across the region.

Single-Family Rental Owners

One property, rented to one family. Simple on the surface — but the liability and income exposure are real. A DP3 policy is typically the right fit.

Multi-Property Investors

Own two, five, or fifteen properties across Upstate SC? We structure blanket or individual policies that scale with your portfolio without gaps between properties.

Accidental Landlords

Relocated and decided to rent your old home rather than sell? Your existing homeowners policy needs to be updated — or replaced — the moment a tenant moves in.

New Construction Rentals

Built or purchased a property specifically as a rental? We set up the right policy from day one — including builder's risk during construction if applicable.

Small Multi-Family Owners

Own a duplex, triplex, or small apartment building? These require specific policy forms distinct from single-family rentals — we know the difference and write them correctly.

Why Upstate SC Landlords Choose Priority Insurance

We understand rental property — not just homeowners coverage. There's a meaningful difference.

Independent Carrier Access

We compare landlord policies across 30+ carriers to find the right combination of coverage and premium for your specific property type, condition, and rental history.

Policy Form Expertise

DP1, DP2, DP3 — we explain the differences clearly and recommend the form that matches your property value, risk tolerance, and budget. Not every property needs the same policy.

Lost Rent Coverage Guidance

Many landlords discover too late that their policy doesn't include rental income protection. We make sure this critical coverage is built into your policy before you need it.

Portfolio Reviews

If you own multiple properties, we review your entire portfolio to identify gaps, redundancies, and opportunities to consolidate coverage more efficiently.

Local Upstate SC Market Knowledge

We know the neighborhoods — from established rentals in downtown Greenville to newer construction in Fountain Inn and Simpsonville. Local knowledge shapes better coverage recommendations.

Licensed in SC, NC & GA

Serving rental property owners throughout South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia from our office at 140 Milestone Way, Greenville.

Landlord Insurance Questions Answered

  • Can I just use my homeowners insurance on a rental property?

    No — and this is one of the most costly mistakes rental property owners make. A standard HO3 homeowners policy is designed for owner-occupied residences. When you rent a property to tenants, you change the use of the property in a way that standard homeowners policies exclude. If you file a claim on an HO3 policy for a property you rent out, your carrier can deny the claim based on the material change in risk. The correct coverage is a landlord policy — also called a dwelling fire policy.

  • Does landlord insurance cover my tenants' belongings?

    No — landlord insurance only covers the structure, your landlord-owned contents (appliances, fixtures), and your liability as a property owner. Tenants' personal property is entirely their responsibility. This is why it's strongly recommended — and increasingly common as a lease requirement — that landlords require tenants to carry their own renters insurance policy. Renters insurance is affordable for tenants and reduces liability exposure for the landlord.

  • What is lost rental income coverage and do I need it?

    Lost rental income coverage — sometimes called fair rental value coverage — reimburses you for the rent you would have collected if a covered loss (fire, storm, etc.) makes your property uninhabitable. For example, if a fire damages your rental and tenants must vacate for four months while repairs are completed, this coverage replaces that lost income. For most landlords, their rental income is a significant part of their financial plan — losing it during a repair period without coverage can be financially devastating. We strongly recommend including this in every landlord policy.

  • What's the difference between DP1, DP2, and DP3 policies?

    These are the three standard landlord policy forms, each offering progressively broader coverage. DP1 is the most basic — named perils only, actual cash value settlement. DP2 adds more covered perils and typically includes replacement cost. DP3 is the broadest — open-perils coverage for the dwelling (covered unless specifically excluded) and replacement cost settlement. Most residential rental properties are best served by a DP3, though DP1 or DP2 may make sense for lower-value properties where budget is the primary driver. Our agents explain the practical differences for your specific situation.

  • Does landlord insurance cover damage caused by tenants?

    It depends on the policy and the nature of the damage. Accidental damage by tenants may be covered under certain policy forms, but intentional or malicious damage by tenants is typically excluded from standard landlord policies. A malicious tenant damage endorsement can be added to address this specific risk. Additionally, normal wear and tear — scuffed walls, worn carpet — is never covered by any insurance policy. Tenant damage disputes are generally handled through the security deposit process and, when necessary, civil action.

  • Do I need separate policies for each rental property I own?

    Not necessarily. For investors with multiple properties, there are blanket policy options that can cover several properties under a single policy — simplifying management and sometimes providing better pricing. For smaller portfolios, individual policies per property may still be the better approach depending on the carriers available and the mix of property types. We review your full portfolio and recommend the structure that provides the right coverage most efficiently.

Protect Your Rental Property — and Your Income

Our Greenville agents compare 30+ carriers to build the right landlord policy for your property and portfolio. Fast, no-obligation quote.

Or call us at (864) 297-9744 · 140 Milestone Way Suite A, Greenville, SC 29615