Business Development Officer, T.D. McNeil Insurance Services, Fresno, California
This probably depends upon the state where you live. A landlord can, normally, set conditions for renting property. They are generally not allowed to be discriminatory. If the landlord requires renters insurance from all tenants he should not be considered to discriminate. By requiring you to buy a renters policy he is clearly establishing that he is not responsible for your property while at his premises—you are! If someone comes on to the property at your invitation, he isn’t responsible for bodily injury or property damage—you are!
Branch Owner, TWFG Insurance Services, Fremont California and the Greater Bay Area Representing Dozens of Insurance Carriers
Any landlord as a requirement of their rental or lease agreement can state as a requirement that tenants obtain renters insurance. This is to protect the landlord in the event of a loss caused by the tenant. Any responsible tenant should have renters insurance not only to protect their own property but their own assists in the event of a law suit due to bodily injury or property damage.
My response to this question might be a little different. Landlords, or their legal counsel, often require tenants to provide a form of "Renter's" insurance for a number of reasons.
First, if a tenant has renter's insurance, it may indicate they are prudent and responsible. Most would agree it is prudent and responsible for any residential or commercial tenant to maintain adequate property and liability insurance.
Before most insurance companies issue an insurance policy, they screen potential insureds to make sure they are responsible citizens and have reasonably good credit. Requiring Renter's insurance would provide the landlord some assurance the tenant was able to pass those tests.
In addition, if a tenant's negligence resulted in injury or damage to the landlord's property or injury or damage to other tenants or their guests in the building, the tenant may be responsible for indemnifying the damaged parties. The tenant's Renter's insurance would provide some assurance the tenant or his insurer would have the resources to back up that obligation.
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First, if a tenant has renter's insurance, it may indicate they are prudent and responsible. Most would agree it is prudent and responsible for any residential or commercial tenant to maintain adequate property and liability insurance.
Before most insurance companies issue an insurance policy, they screen potential insureds to make sure they are responsible citizens and have reasonably good credit. Requiring Renter's insurance would provide the landlord some assurance the tenant was able to pass those tests.
In addition, if a tenant's negligence resulted in injury or damage to the landlord's property or injury or damage to other tenants or their guests in the building, the tenant may be responsible for indemnifying the damaged parties. The tenant's Renter's insurance would provide some assurance the tenant or his insurer would have the resources to back up that obligation.