Landlord Insurance in Fort Collins, CO — Protecting Your Investment
From CSU student rentals to multi-family properties near Old Town, we understand Fort Collins landlords face tenant turnover, hail damage, and vacancy risks. Get comprehensive coverage that protects your rental income and shields your assets—at rates that make sense for Colorado investors.
✓ No obligation • ✓ Takes 5 minutes • ✓ Compare 20+ carriers
Why Fort Collins Landlords Choose JWR for Rental Property Insurance
We're not just quoting policies—we're protecting your investment and your future.
WE KNOW FORT COLLINS RENTAL RISKS
We've insured Fort Collins rental properties for over 20 years. We understand CSU student tenant turnover, June hail season that damages roofs, winter pipe bursts, and Old Town property appreciation. We're not learning about Fort Collins on your dime—we live here, we know the landlord challenges, and we know which carriers actually pay claims fairly in Larimer County.
WE EXPLAIN WHAT YOU ACTUALLY NEED
Loss-of-rent coverage. Vacancy protection. Liability limits that actually protect your assets. We don't sell you every rider we offer—we help you understand what matters for YOUR rental situation, whether you're an accidental landlord with one property or building a multi-unit portfolio across Fort Collins and Loveland.
WE COMPARE 20+ CARRIERS FOR YOU
One landlord might get the best rate from Safeco. Another needs Travelers for hail-damaged roof acceptance. Another needs specialty placement for short-term rentals. We shop your risk to multiple carriers—you get the best combination of coverage and price without making 10 phone calls yourself.
Real Fort Collins Situations, Real Protection
Here's what landlord insurance actually covers when life happens to your rental property
DWELLING COVERAGE
Covers your rental structure if damaged by fire, wind, hail, or other covered perils. Essential for Fort Collins—June hail season causes $8,000-$18,000 average roof damage claims. Without proper dwelling coverage on replacement-cost basis, you pay out of pocket for repairs or accept depreciated payout that doesn't cover full rebuild.
LOSS OF RENTAL INCOME
Reimburses your monthly rent if your property becomes uninhabitable due to covered loss. If fire damage takes 3 months to repair and you're collecting $2,000/month, you receive $6,000 to cover your mortgage and expenses. Often overlooked—but critical for landlords who depend on rental income to cover property costs.
LIABILITY COVERAGE
Protects you if tenant or visitor is injured on your property and sues. Slip-and-fall on icy Fort Collins sidewalk, tenant injured by loose deck railing, dog bite incident—you're liable as property owner. Liability claims average $25,000-$250,000+. Standard $300,000 limits often insufficient; we recommend $1M+ for multi-property landlords.
What Does Landlord Insurance Actually Cover?
Let's cut through the confusion—here's what rental property insurance actually does for Fort Collins landlords
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT LANDLORD INSURANCE
Myth: "My homeowners policy covers my rental property."
Truth: Homeowners policies exclude coverage when you rent to others. Landlord insurance is required—lenders mandate it, and you're exposed without it.
Myth: "Tenant damage is automatically covered."
Truth: Standard policies cover accidental tenant damage (kitchen fire, accidental flood) but exclude intentional damage (vandalism, malicious destruction). You need separate "malicious damage by tenants" rider (3-8% premium add-on).
Myth: "I'm covered during vacancy between tenants."
Truth: Most policies restrict or cancel coverage after 30-60 days vacancy. If turnover or renovation exceeds 45 days, you need vacancy rider (10-15% add-on) or risk having no coverage.
Myth: "Loss-of-rent coverage is optional luxury."
Truth: If your $2,000/month rental takes 3 months to repair after fire, you're out $6,000. Loss-of-rent rider costs $400-$800/year—that's 8-15x ROI on single claim. Essential for landlords depending on rental income.
Myth: "Landlord insurance is way more expensive than homeowners."
Truth: Typically 25% higher ($1,800-$2,400/year for Fort Collins single-family rental vs. $1,500-$1,900 homeowners). The difference reflects tenant risk—but it's affordable protection for $200K-$500K+ asset.
WHAT YOUR LANDLORD INSURANCE COVERS
- Dwelling Coverage: Structure repair/rebuild if damaged by fire, wind, hail, vandalism (replacement cost recommended vs. actual cash value)
- Loss of Rental Income: Monthly rent reimbursement if property uninhabitable due to covered loss (typically 10-20% of dwelling limit)
- Liability Protection: Legal defense and damages if tenant/visitor injured on property (recommend $1M+ limits for asset protection)
- Other Structures: Detached garage, shed, fence damage (typically 10% of dwelling coverage)
- Personal Property: Landlord-owned appliances, furniture, equipment left for tenant use (typically $5K-$25K limits)
- Medical Payments: Immediate medical coverage for guest injuries regardless of fault ($1K-$5K typical)
- Water Backup Coverage: Sewer backup and sump pump failure (optional rider, $500-$1,500 add-on, highly recommended)
Ready to Protect Your Fort Collins Rental?
Get your free landlord insurance quote in 5 minutes—compare 20+ carriers for Fort Collins rental properties
Which Coverage Option Is Right for You?
Here's how to figure out what works for your situation. What do you need?
Tenant Eviction Expense for Landlord (Rental Property) Insurance
Mountain West landlords face unique eviction challenges—from lengthy court timelines in tenant-friendly jurisdictions to lost rental income during Wyoming's boom-and-bust cycles, plus legal costs that can reach $5,000-$7,000 per eviction between attorney fees, court costs, and months of zero income while mortgages and property taxes continue. As an independent brokerage serving Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Montana, we compare 20+ carriers to structure legal expense coverage and rent guarantee insurance that actually protects your rental business—not generic landlord policies that leave massive gaps when you need to remove a non-paying tenant. We're local landlord advocates who answer the phone, understand regional eviction timelines and costs, and make sure you're protected from the financial devastation that comes when tenants stop paying and legal processes drag on for months.
Building Code Upgrade for Landlord (Rental Property) Insurance
Mountain West rental properties face a hidden financial trap—when fire, hail, or wind damage triggers reconstruction, local building officials require upgrades to current building codes, not the codes from when your property was built, creating $20,000-$100,000+ gaps that standard landlord policies refuse to pay. As an independent brokerage serving Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Montana landlords, we compare 20+ carriers to structure Building Code Upgrade coverage that actually covers mandatory code compliance costs—electrical panel upgrades, fire-resistant roofing, seismic bracing, accessibility improvements, and structural updates that turn covered losses into financial disasters without this protection. We're local landlords ourselves who answer the phone, explain coverage in plain English, and make sure your rental property investment survives the code upgrade requirements that most property owners discover too late.
Vandalism & Malicious Mischief for Landlord (Rental Property) Insurance
Mountain West rental properties face real vandalism risks—from broken windows and graffiti between tenants to serious damage during vacancy periods, especially in Wyoming winters when unoccupied properties attract criminals. As an independent brokerage serving Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Montana, we compare 20+ carriers to find vandalism and malicious mischief coverage that actually protects YOUR rental properties—including vacant property endorsements, third-party damage protection, and coverage that works when properties sit empty between tenants. We're landlords' neighbors who understand rental property realities, answer the phone when vandalism happens, and make sure you're protected from the criminal damage that threatens rental income and property value.
Landlord’s Liability for Landlord (Rental Property) Insurance
Mountain West rental properties face unique liability risks—slip-and-fall injuries from Wyoming ice and snow, tenant lawsuits over maintenance delays, security failures in Colorado rental markets, and aging infrastructure issues that send nearly one million Americans to emergency rooms annually with average claims exceeding $33,000. As an independent brokerage serving Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Montana, we compare 20+ carriers to find landlord liability coverage that protects your rental income and personal assets from the tenant injury claims, property damage lawsuits, and legal defense costs that threaten property owners who rely on standard homeowner policies with dangerous gaps. We're local property management experts who answer the phone, explain coverage in plain English, and make sure your rental properties are protected from the liability exposures that can destroy everything you've built as a landlord.
Loss of Rent Coverage for Landlord (Rental Property) Insurance
When fire, severe storms, or water damage force tenants from your rental property, your mortgage and expenses don't stop—but your rental income does, leaving you paying out-of-pocket for properties that aren't generating revenue. As an independent brokerage serving Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Montana, we compare 20+ carriers to find loss of rent coverage that actually replaces your income during repairs—not generic landlord policies that leave you exposed when properties sit vacant for months during restoration. We're local landlord insurance experts who answer the phone, explain coverage gaps in plain English, and make sure your rental investment is protected from the income loss that threatens Mountain West property owners when disaster strikes.
Landlord Property Protection for Landlord (Rental Property) Insurance
Mountain West rental properties face unique risks—tenant turnover in volatile oil field markets, extreme weather that threatens both occupied and vacant units, liability exposure from Wyoming winters and aging infrastructure, and income loss when properties become uninhabitable during repairs. As an independent brokerage serving Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Montana, we compare 20+ carriers to find landlord insurance that actually protects YOUR rental investment—covering property damage, liability claims, and lost rental income with limits appropriate for regional risks, not generic national templates that leave gaps when you need coverage most. We're local landlords ourselves who understand rental property economics, and we make sure your investment is protected from the scenarios that threaten Mountain West rental income and property values.
Do You Actually Need Landlord Insurance?
YOU DEFINITELY NEED LANDLORD INSURANCE IF:
- ✓ You rent out a property to tenants (single-family, duplex, condo, multi-family)
- ✓ Your mortgage lender requires landlord insurance (nearly all do)
- ✓ You couldn't afford to repair $15,000-$50,000 damage from savings
- ✓ You depend on rental income to cover mortgage or expenses
- ✓ You rent to CSU students or young professionals with higher turnover
- ✓ Your Fort Collins property sits in hail-prone area (most of Larimer County)
- ✓ You have other assets to protect from liability claims (home equity, savings, retirement accounts)
- ✓ You've converted your primary residence to rental ("accidental landlord")
- ✓ You're building a multi-property rental portfolio across Fort Collins and Loveland
- ✓ You rent out a property near Old Town, CSU campus, or other high-traffic areas
SPECIAL SITUATIONS IN FORT COLLINS:
→ CSU student rental landlords
Higher tenant turnover, increased wear-and-tear, seasonal vacancy—need loss-of-rent coverage and vacancy riders for summer gaps
→ Old Town historic property landlords
Older homes (pre-1980) require electrical/plumbing disclosure; often higher premiums but proper coverage protects renovation investments
→ Multi-property portfolio investors
Need multi-property discounts (5-20%), umbrella liability ($1M+ recommended), and portfolio-level underwriting for efficiency
→ Short-term rental operators (Airbnb/VRBO)
Standard landlord policies often exclude short-term rentals—need specialized business insurance with commercial liability coverage
→ Condo landlords near CSU
Need HO-6 landlord condo policy covering interior, personal property, and liability (building structure covered by HOA master policy)
→ Accidental landlords
Converted primary residence to rental due to relocation or market conditions—homeowners policy no longer covers; need immediate landlord policy transition
STEP 1: UNDERSTAND YOUR PROPERTY AND TENANT SITUATION
What type of property do you rent? Single-family, duplex, condo, multi-family? Who are your tenants—CSU students, young professionals, families? How long do tenants typically stay? What's your property's age and condition—original electrical/plumbing or recently updated?
Newer properties with stable long-term tenants qualify for better rates; older properties or high-turnover student rentals need more comprehensive coverage.
STEP 2: CALCULATE YOUR FINANCIAL EXPOSURE
What's your property worth? Could you cover $25,000-$50,000 damage from savings? Do you depend on rental income to pay your mortgage? If you lost 2-3 months rent during repairs, could you cover the gap?
If repair costs or lost rent would create financial hardship, you need robust dwelling coverage and loss-of-rent protection.
STEP 3: ASSESS YOUR FORT COLLINS RISKS
Is your property in hail-prone area (most of Larimer County is)? Do you have exposure to winter pipe bursts or tenant-caused damage? Is your property near CSU campus with higher foot traffic and liability exposure?
Fort Collins hail season (June-August) and winter weather create elevated property damage risk—comprehensive coverage is essential.
STEP 4: TALK TO US
Not sure what coverage fits your Fort Collins rental situation? Call us at (970) 682-5200. We'll walk you through property-specific risks, coverage options, and carrier selection—no pressure, just honest advice from local landlord insurance experts.
Ready to Get the Coverage You Deserve?
Get your free landlord insurance quote in 5 minutes, or call and we'll handle it together
FAQs
Landlord insurance typically covers damage to your rental property's structure from perils like fire, wind, and vandalism. It also includes liability coverage if someone is injured on your property. Crucially for rental owners, it often provides loss of rental income coverage if your property becomes uninhabitable due due to a covered event, which can be essential in maintaining your finances, especially in areas with fluctuating economies like the oil fields.
While comprehensive, landlord insurance usually doesn't cover your tenant's personal belongings, general wear and tear, or maintenance issues like a leaky faucet unless it leads to sudden, accidental damage. Intentional damage caused by tenants may also be excluded, although some policies offer specific endorsements or riders for these situations. Additionally, perils like floods and earthquakes typically require separate policies or endorsements, especially important given the diverse weather patterns in Wyoming and Colorado.
Yes, a standard homeowner's policy is generally not sufficient for a rental property. Homeowner's insurance is designed for owner-occupied residences, and most policies exclude damages and liabilities that arise from rental activities. Landlord insurance is specifically tailored to protect your investment property and income from tenant-related risks, property damage, and liability claims unique to being a landlord. This is a critical distinction for your peace of mind and financial security.
Landlord insurance protects you, the property owner, by covering the structure of the building, your liability as the landlord, and often your rental income. Renters insurance, on the other hand, is purchased by your tenants and protects their personal belongings (furniture, electronics, clothing) from damage or theft. It also provides liability coverage for incidents that occur within their rented unit. As a landlord, it's wise to require your tenants to carry renters insurance to ensure their belongings are covered and reduce your own potential liability for their property.
The cost of landlord insurance varies widely based on factors like your property's value, location, and the specific coverages you choose. In Wyoming and Colorado, you might expect annual premiums ranging from a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars. The best way to get an accurate estimate for your specific property is to request a personalized quote.
In the event of damage to your rental property, you should contact your insurer or agent as soon as possible to initiate a claim. JWR is focused on local, prompt service, aiming for an initial assessment often within a few days of your report. We guide you through documenting the damage and working with an adjuster to ensure a smooth and timely resolution, helping you get your property repaired and back to generating income quickly.