Property Managers Coverage Guide
Property managers face premises liability for every unit they manage, fair-housing discrimination claims (high EPLI exposure), and habitability/mold claims that traditional GL increasingly excludes.
Critical Coverage
General Liability
Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage claims
What it covers
Premises liability for every managed unit (typically additional insured), office, advertising injury.
Common misconception
Manager's GL needs coverage for every property managed; owner-named-additional-insured is standard.
What it does NOT cover
Professional services. Auto.
The gap — what happens without it
Tenant injury at managed property names manager — $40K. GL pays.
What drives your premium
Units, property types, claims
Endorsements to ask about
Additional insured for owners. Care/custody/control.
Professional Liability (E&O)
Covers claims of negligence or mistakes in professional services
What it covers
Real estate management E&O — claims from owners or tenants for negligent management, missed maintenance, fair-housing violations, leasing errors.
Common misconception
Property managers think the owner's policies cover them. Owner's policies don't cover the manager's professional acts.
What it does NOT cover
Intentional acts. Bodily injury (GL). Discrimination (often EPLI).
The gap — what happens without it
Failed habitability claim — manager allegedly ignored repeated mold reports. Settlement $190K. E&O pays.
What drives your premium
Units managed, property types, claims
Endorsements to ask about
Fair-housing defense. Habitability/mold sub-limit. Tenant discrimination.
Employment Practices Liability (EPLI)
Covers wrongful termination, discrimination, and harassment claims
What it covers
Fair-housing discrimination from tenants, employment claims from staff.
Common misconception
Property managers face fair-housing claims (FHA discrimination) at higher rates than most service businesses.
What it does NOT cover
Wage/hour. WARN.
The gap — what happens without it
FHA discrimination charge from rejected applicant — defense $48K, settlement $30K. EPLI pays.
What drives your premium
Units, employees, state
Endorsements to ask about
Third-party (tenant claims). Wage/hour.
Important Coverage
Workers' Compensation
Covers employee injuries and illnesses on the job
What it covers
Employee injuries.
Common misconception
Maintenance staff face injury exposure.
What it does NOT cover
Owner exemption.
The gap — what happens without it
Maintenance lifting injury — $18K. WC pays.
What drives your premium
Payroll, state
Endorsements to ask about
Voluntary comp.
Cyber Liability
Covers data breaches, ransomware, and digital threats
What it covers
Tenant data breach, ransomware on management software.
Common misconception
Tenant databases hold extensive PII (DOB, SSN for credit checks, banking).
What it does NOT cover
Unencrypted devices.
The gap — what happens without it
Phishing exposes 2,400 tenant records — $140K response. Cyber pays.
What drives your premium
Records, MFA
Endorsements to ask about
Funds-transfer fraud.
Not sure what you need?
Text us your trade and state — we'll tell you exactly what coverages apply to your business and shop the market for the best rate.