Maine has been known by the slogan Vacationland since 1936 when it first appeared on the Maine license plate. Those of us who live here agree that Maine is a great vacation destination. With the influx of vacationers opportunities for our many local businesses and entrepreneurs increase.
Vacationers stay at campgrounds, hotels, inns and B&Bs, but also increasingly in private homes rented out by their homeowners.
How does renting your home impact your insurance?
If you own a single-family home, or a multi-family home in which you occupy one of the units, a standard homeowner’s policy will most likely be sufficient. However, if you own a home that you rent out all or most of the time, you need what is commonly referred to as a dwelling fire policy.
Some homeowners decide to rent out their home for part of the year, so then what? Most people have a general idea that insurance carriers allow you to rent out your home for a limited period of time, usually up to 8-12 weeks per year. However, few actually know the specifics of this and that most insurance carriers require prior notification of an intent to rent.
Why?
This is required because there are usually qualifiers and/or exemptions when it comes to the rental use of a property. It is best to be informed rather than assuming you are covered only to discover in the event of a loss that you are not. These qualifiers vary between insurance carriers, so it is important to know the details of your policy.
Cheney Insurance is a local, Trusted Choice, independent agency. We live in the community we serve, work with multiple insurance carriers with whom we have established strong relationships, and strive to provide our customers with the best coverage for their specific needs.
If you are thinking about renting out your home for all or part of the year and are wondering about the impact this may have on your homeowner’s insurance, please give us a call. Our agents can discuss what your options are and what things you need to consider when making this decision.
