Does Landlord Insurance Cover Tenant Damage?

Landlord insurance covers some tenant damage, liability costs, and rental income loss—but not wear and tear or intentional damage.
Security deposits and renters insurance can help cover gaps.

Read on for more details or enter your ZIP code here to let The Zebra help you compare landlord insurance quotes in minutes.

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By Beth Swanson

Updated April 29, 2025

Reviewed By Susan Meyer

Edited By Renata Balasco

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What damage is covered?
Types of damage not covered
Tenant responsibilities
Renters insurance coverage
FAQs

Will landlord insurance cover damage from a tenant?

Yes—but only in certain situations. Landlord insurance typically covers accidental damage caused by tenants, like a kitchen fire or water overflow. But it won’t cover wear and tear (like scuffed floors or chipped paint) or intentional damage (like broken windows or vandalism).

Damage happens—so it’s important to know when your policy kicks in, and when you’ll need other tools like renters insurance, security deposits, or a solid lease agreement.

Renters Insurance vs. Landlord Insurance: What Does Each Policy Cover?

A look at the details of both landlord and renters coverage, along with possible scenarios you could find yourself in...

What types of tenant damage are covered?

Your landlord insurance provides dwelling coverage, which means your policy will help pay to repair or replace structures on your property damaged by a covered event. Generally, covered perils include, but aren’t limited to, fire, burglary, vandalism, and natural disasters, such as tornadoes, snow storms, and windstorms.

In the following situations, filing a claim with your landlord insurance company is the right move:

A tenant leaves the stove on and starts a kitchen fire
A bathtub overflows and damages the floor
A ball crashes through a window during indoor roughhousing

Can a landlord make a claim on a tenant's renters insurance?

Landlords cannot file claims on tenant's renters insurance policies.

These policies protect the tenant and their belongings — not the landlord or their property. Landlords typically have their own coverage.

That said, landlords can be listed as an interested party on a renters policy. This means they’ll be notified of cancellations, changes, or claims. It won’t affect coverage or cost for the tenant.

Get a quote for landlord insurance today.

What types of damage are not covered?

There are two primary types of tenant damage that your landlord insurance policy won’t cover: wear and tear and intentional damage.

Wear and tear

Landlord insurance does not cover normal wear and tear such as:

Scratched floors
Stained carpets
Chipped paint
Appliances breaking from age or regular use

While you can’t file a claim for wear and tear, you may be able to use your tenant’s security deposit to cover some or all repair costs.

📝 Important Note: Be sure to follow your state’s laws on security deposit deductions.^[1] For example, Florida landlords must provide an itemized list of repairs within 30 days of move-out, and tenants have 15 days to object in writing.^[2]

Intentional damage

Landlord insurance also excludes damage caused on purpose, like:

Punching holes in walls
Spray-painting or defacing surfaces
Damaging or stealing appliances

However, you do have options. You can withhold the tenant’s security deposit to cover the damage, and if costs exceed the deposit, you may have the option to take legal action.

📝 Important Note: Pursuing a lawsuit can come with its own expenses.

Zebra Tip: Be specific when writing a lease

Clearly outline how the security deposit may be used for property damage, and consider sharing average repair costs to encourage tenants to take better care of the property. State laws may limit what provisions you can include in a lease, so check local regulations or have an attorney review your agreement to ensure it’s legally enforceable.^[3]

What are tenants responsible for?

As a landlord, you’re not responsible for your tenant’s personal property—that’s what renters insurance is for. Unlike homeowners insurance, landlord insurance only covers the structure itself. If tenants want to protect their belongings or cover liability for guest injuries, they should get renters insurance.

However, if your negligence causes damage—such as failing to repair a known roof leak—your landlord liability insurance may cover the tenant’s losses.

💡 Pro Tip: Make sure tenants understand their belongings aren’t covered under your policy. You might also want to require your tenants to carry renters insurance, which is a common practice among landlords.

Adding more protection

You may be able to add coverage that helps cover tenant-related losses. For example, a loss-of-rent provision can reimburse you for missed rental income if your property becomes unlivable due to damage—no matter who caused it.

💡 Pro Tip: Talk to an insurance agent about updating your policy. If you’ve got a decent cash cushion, raising your deductible could help lower your monthly premium.

Renters Liability Insurance

Personal liability is a coverage included in renters insurance. Read on to see what it protects and how much you need.

Will renter's insurance cover it?

Renters insurance typically does not cover damage a tenant causes to the rental property's structure or fixtures. Such damages are generally the landlord's responsibility and should be covered by the landlord's insurance policy. However, if a tenant accidentally causes damage to the property—such as starting a fire—the liability coverage within the tenant's renters insurance may help cover the repair costs. It's important to note that intentional damage or normal wear and tear are usually not covered by renters insurance.^[4]

Tenant damage can be costly, but the right landlord insurance policy can help cover repairs without draining your finances. While landlord insurance is a key safeguard, it doesn’t cover everything. Understanding your policy, requiring renters insurance, and setting clear lease terms can help you better protect your property and finances.

Start comparing quotes today!

FAQs

Does landlord insurance cover damages from renters?

Accidental property damage (e.g., fires or burst pipes) is usually covered under landlord insurance. Landlord insurance does not cover intentional damage or vandalism from the tenant or normal wear and tear, however. Check your policy to see specific exclusions.

What does a landlord insurance policy cover?

Landlord insurance usually covers property damage (the physical structure), liability claims (if someone is injured on the property), and lost rental income. Lost rental income coverage can be paramount if a covered peril prevents the property from being rented (if it needs to be rebuilt after a severe storm, for instance). There are optional coverages available from some insurers, such as burglary or non-occupied dwelling coverage.

Is a landlord responsible for damage to tenant property?

Renters are generally responsible for obtaining their own renters insurance to protect their personal belongings. This may even be a requirement, depending on the lease. A landlord's insurance covers the property itself but not a tenant’s possessions. This makes renters insurance a valuable safeguard for anyone leasing a home.

Sources

Landlord-Tenant Laws of the U.S. Avail
Landlord/Tenant Law in Florida. FDACS
How to Write a Lease Agreement. Contracts Counsel
Is it Covered? Tenant Damage. NREIG

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