Top 10 Claims Landlords File—And How to Avoid Them
Being a landlord comes with its fair share of risks. While landlord insurance can protect you from financial losses, no one wants to deal with the stress of filing a claim, waiting for reimbursement, or handling repairs. Prevention is always cheaper than restoration.
To help you reduce your exposure, we’ve put together the top 10 most common landlord insurance claims—along with practical tips on how to avoid them.
1. Water Damage from Plumbing Failures
🚨 Common Scenario:
A burst pipe in an upper-floor apartment floods several units below.
✅ How to Avoid It:
- Conduct annual plumbing inspections.
- Install water leak detectors in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry areas.
- Insulate pipes in colder climates.
2. Fire and Smoke Damage
🚨 Common Scenario:
A tenant leaves a stove unattended, causing a kitchen fire.
✅ How to Avoid It:
- Require renters to maintain working smoke detectors (you provide them).
- Ban open-flame appliances like space heaters or candles in leases.
- Perform annual electrical system checks in older buildings.
3. Wind and Hail Damage
🚨 Common Scenario:
A windstorm rips shingles off the roof, leading to interior water damage.
✅ How to Avoid It:
- Have your roof inspected annually, especially before storm seasons.
- Trim trees and remove dead limbs near buildings.
- Ensure siding and gutters are securely attached.
4. Vandalism and Theft
🚨 Common Scenario:
Vacant units are broken into and appliances are stolen.
✅ How to Avoid It:
- Install exterior lighting and security cameras.
- Use deadbolt locks and reinforce doors on vacant units.
- Perform regular walkthroughs of unoccupied properties.
5. Tenant-Caused Accidental Damage
🚨 Common Scenario:
A tenant’s child floods the bathroom by clogging and overflowing the toilet.
✅ How to Avoid It:
- Screen tenants carefully and conduct move-in orientations.
- Include a clause in the lease about damages due to negligence.
- Conduct quarterly inspections with proper notice.
6. Slip and Fall Injuries
🚨 Common Scenario:
A tenant or guest slips on icy stairs or wet walkways.
✅ How to Avoid It:
- Clear snow and ice promptly (or hire a service to do so).
- Install non-slip treads on exterior stairs.
- Keep walkways well-lit and free from debris or uneven pavement.
7. Mold Damage
🚨 Common Scenario:
A slow leak behind the wall causes mold that goes undetected for months.
✅ How to Avoid It:
- Fix all leaks promptly.
- Ventilate bathrooms and laundry rooms properly.
- Include regular maintenance check-ins to catch moisture issues early.
8. Loss of Rental Income
🚨 Common Scenario:
A fire or flood forces tenants to move out during repairs, causing income loss.
✅ How to Avoid It:
- Ensure your landlord insurance includes loss of rents or business income coverage.
- Mitigate delays by working with reliable contractors and having emergency plans.
9. Pest Infestations
🚨 Common Scenario:
Rats, roaches, or bed bugs drive out tenants and cause property damage.
✅ How to Avoid It:
- Schedule quarterly pest control services.
- Seal gaps and cracks around foundations, windows, and pipes.
- Provide tenants with sanitation guidelines and expectations.
10. Legal Liability Claims
🚨 Common Scenario:
A tenant sues for negligence after being injured on poorly maintained stairs.
✅ How to Avoid It:
- Keep common areas clean, safe, and up to code.
- Address tenant complaints and maintenance requests promptly.
- Carry adequate liability coverage in your landlord policy.
Final Thoughts
Filing a claim may be part of doing business as a landlord—but minimizing those claims is what separates a successful, low-stress rental business from a costly one.
The key takeaway? Proactive maintenance, good tenant communication, and comprehensive insurance coverage are your best defenses.
Want to make sure your policy protects you from the most common risks landlords face? Contact us today for a free policy review or get an instant landlord insurance quote online.
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