Independent Insurance Agency — Winston-Salem
A standard homeowners policy doesn’t cover a rental property — even if you rent out just one room. Landlord insurance (DP-3) is built specifically for NC rental property owners, covering the dwelling, your liability, and your rental income when tenants can’t occupy the unit. ALLCHOICE Insurance compares options across multiple top-rated carriers for Winston-Salem landlords.
What it is
Landlord insurance — typically written as a DP-3 (Dwelling Fire Policy Form 3) — is designed for NC property owners who rent out single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes, or small residential portfolios to tenants. It covers the rental dwelling against the same perils as a homeowners policy, plus your personal liability as a landlord, loss of rental income if the unit becomes unlivable, and optional coverage for your landlord-owned contents in the property.
Standard homeowners policies exclude rental activity. Once you rent out a property — even a second home you occasionally rent on Airbnb — your homeowners policy can deny claims related to tenant occupancy. A landlord policy (DP-3) closes that gap, while also providing loss-of-rent coverage and landlord liability that homeowners policies don’t include.
As an independent agency, ALLCHOICE Insurance compares landlord insurance across multiple top-rated carriers to find the right policy for your property type, your tenant profile, and your rental income structure. We write coverage for NC landlords with single properties, small portfolios, and everything in between.
Coverage types
Covers the rental property structure — walls, roof, foundation, built-in systems — against fire, wind, hail, vandalism, and other covered perils. Written at replacement cost value, not market value. Core coverage
Pays legal costs and settlements if a tenant or visitor is injured at your rental property and holds you responsible — slip and fall claims, habitability disputes, or dog bite incidents on your property. Core coverage
Pays the rent you lose when a covered loss makes the rental unit uninhabitable while repairs are underway. Keeps your mortgage and cash flow covered during a recovery period. Core coverage
Covers detached garages, fences, sheds, and other structures on the rental property that are separate from the main dwelling. Core coverage
Covers appliances, furniture, and other items you own inside the rental unit — not the tenant’s belongings, which are covered by their own renters insurance. Optional coverage
DP-3 policies exclude flood. NC rental properties in or near flood-prone areas need a separate NFIP or private flood policy to protect against water damage from rising water. Separate policy required
What you'll pay
Why independent
Landlord insurance pricing and eligibility vary significantly by carrier, property type, tenant profile, and location. ALLCHOICE compares DP-3 options across multiple top-rated carriers to find the right policy for your specific rental property — and identifies any coverage gaps (flood, vacancy, short-term rental) before they become claim surprises.
We compare DP-3 pricing across multiple carriers for your specific property type, location, and tenant profile — so you see real options, not one company’s standard offer.
Landlords with multiple properties often have coverage gaps and overlapping policies. We review your full rental portfolio and find the most efficient coverage structure.
We review your current policies for vacancy clauses, flood exclusions, and short-term rental restrictions — before a claim reveals a gap that could have been closed.
If your rental property has a loss, your ALLCHOICE advisor works on your behalf — not the carrier’s. A local relationship, not a 1-800 number.
Most standard homeowners policies include a vacancy clause that voids coverage — or reduces it to fire-only — after a property is unoccupied for 60 consecutive days. Rental properties routinely have turnover gaps between tenants that can exceed 60 days. A DP-3 landlord policy is written specifically for properties with periodic vacancy and does not carry the same 60-day vacancy restriction. If you’re using a homeowners policy on a rental property, verify your vacancy clause before your next tenant gap.
FAQ
No. Standard homeowners policies exclude rental activity. Once you rent a property to tenants — even on a short-term basis — your homeowners policy can deny claims related to tenant occupancy. A DP-3 landlord policy is required for any property regularly occupied by tenants.
Yes — and many Winston-Salem landlords make it a lease condition. Requiring renters insurance protects tenants’ belongings (which your landlord policy doesn’t cover), reduces the likelihood of tenants pursuing you for property damage claims, and shifts the liability for tenant-caused damage to the tenant’s own policy. It’s one of the simplest risk management steps a Winston-Salem landlord can take.
Standard DP-3 landlord policies are designed for long-term residential tenants, not nightly or weekly vacation rental operations. Short-term rentals typically require a separate short-term rental policy or a specific endorsement. If you’re using a standard DP-3 or homeowners policy for an Airbnb property, verify that the policy explicitly covers short-term rental activity — many don’t.
Loss of rental income coverage pays the monthly rent you lose when a covered loss makes your rental property uninhabitable while repairs are completed. The limit should reflect at least 12 months of gross rental income — enough to cover a complete rebuild scenario. Many landlords underestimate how long a major repair takes and set their loss-of-rent limit too low.
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