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The Daily Insight

Can a landlord in California require renters insurance?

Author

Andrew Mclaughlin

Published Mar 11, 2026

While renters insurance is not required by law in California, some landlords may require it for you to live in their building. It’s generally a good idea to have at least some form of coverage as your landlord’s insurance is not liable for any damage to your personal property.

How much renters insurance should a landlord require in California?

Most landlords require $100,000 of coverage, but adding more is not expensive. For just a few dollars a year, you can get $300,000 or $500,000 of liability coverage on your California renters insurance.

Do landlords require renters insurance?

If you own a rental property, or you are a tenant, you may need different insurance products than normal home and contents policies. Landlords should consider how they can protect their premises, its assets and the income they receive from their tenants. Renters are not covered by their landlord’s insurance policies.

Is it illegal not to have landlords insurance?

Is landlord insurance a legal requirement? Although there’s no legal requirement for a landlord to have a landlord insurance policy, a normal home insurance policy won’t cover you if you are renting to tenants. If you let to tenants without dedicated landlord insurance you are running a risk.

What is a good amount of renters insurance?

The typical renters insurance policy offers $100,000 in liability coverage. For renters, this amount is often sufficient. However, if you entertain company frequently at your home or if your assets exceed that amount, you should consider an amount of insurance equal to at least the total value of your assets.

What is the average cost of renters insurance in California?

We found that the average cost of renters insurance in California is $16 per month, or $195 per year. The cost of coverage in California is slightly more expensive than in all of the United States, where we calculated that renters insurance usually costs about $187 per year.

What certificates do you need as a landlord?

Certificates and documentation

  • Gas safety certificate.
  • Electrical safety certificate.
  • Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
  • Proof of deposit protection.
  • Fire safety measures.
  • Legionella risk assessment.
  • Landlord insurance.

Is buildings insurance a legal requirement?

Buildings insurance isn’t compulsory but it is advisable. Think about how you would afford to rebuild your house if it were damaged or destroyed.

What dog breeds may be excluded from renters insurance?

Breeds commonly excluded from liability coverage

Alaskan MalamutesPit BullsBeaucerons
Chow ChowsPresa CanariosKeeshonds
Doberman PinschersRottweilersMastiffs
German ShepherdsSiberian HuskiesBelgian Malinois
Staffordshire TerriersWolf-HybridsRhodesian Ridgebacks

How much is renters insurance for $100000?

How much does $100k personal property renters cost per month? Costs for $100,000 of personal property coverage depend on where you live, along with other personal factors. The national average for this coverage level is $375.

Can you have buildings insurance on a property you don’t own?

Can I get a buildings insurance policy if I don’t own the property? Only the owner of a property can buy the buildings insurance. If you’re not the building owner but you’re worried about appropriate buildings insurance, you can check with the building’s proprietor or landlord to check this cover is in place.

How much does subsidence devalue a property?

How much does subsidence devalue a property? Issues with subsidence can affect the selling price of a property by around 20%.

Can a landlord ask for tenant insurance?

Yes, landlords can require tenants to have a renters insurance policy. Many landlords insist their renters have insurance to help avoid potential disputes if the tenant’s belongings are damaged while on the property, or to reduce their liability in legal claims, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).

Why do landlords ask tenants insurance?

While landlords require renters insurance to help minimize their risks, renters insurance also benefits the tenant to protect their property and minimize their risk. It’s a method to help ensure respect of property by both parties, keeping the rental in tip top shape.

Can a landlord require a tenant to have renters insurance?

Theft, vandalism, smoke, water or fire—all these can cause damage to a tenant’s personal property. Does the law allow landlords to require tenants to get renters insurance? Renter’s insurance is a specific type of policy that covers theft and damage to a tenant’s personal property.

Is the renters insurance included in the lease agreement?

The landlord’s insurance policy only covers the property. The cover does not, in any way, include anything which belongs to the renter. Fortunately, the Lease Agreement spells out all these terms. What is a Lease Agreement?

What happens if renters insurance is not in force?

Cancellation or lapse of the renters insurance is a lease violation. Second, if the policy is not in force, then there is no protection available for the tenant or the landlord. The additional interest designation gets the landlord copies of notifications for changes in policy status.

Can a landlord require you to buy renters insurance in Oregon?

But the annual cost, plus the security deposit, cannot exceed two months’ rent. Oregon goes a step further. Landlords can require renters to buy a $100,000 liability policy (more if it’s customary for similar rentals), but they must carry a comparable policy and show proof to any tenant who asks.