After a fire or a flood at a rental, the owner’s insurance company frequently contacts the tenant. That call is not a courtesy, and knowing what it is for changes how you handle it.
The owner’s insurer works for the owner. If they are deciding whether you caused the loss, you need your own.
Three things about the other side’s insurer.
When a building insurer pays an owner, it frequently looks at whether a tenant caused the loss, because if so it can seek recovery. A friendly call asking what happened is part of that process. It is not hostile and it is not neutral, and the answers go into a file that may be used against you.
If you carry renters insurance, report it to your own carrier first and let them handle the contact. That is what the liability section is for: your insurer deals with their insurer, and you stop being the person answering questions alone.
You are generally not obliged to give one to the other side’s insurer, whatever the tone of the request. It is reasonable to say you will respond through your own carrier. Tenants without cover have nobody to route it through, which is the real cost of going uninsured.
Having somebody on your side.
It is what answers if the loss is attributed to you.
Before speaking to anybody else’s insurer.
A lapse at the wrong moment leaves you answering alone.
Tell us about the rental and what your belongings are worth.
