Help - Insurance rates 2-3x!

Help - Insurance rates 2-3x!

Rental Property Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2013 · 67 posts · 26 votes

Please forgive me if I'm being repetitive - I did a quick search and didn't see any situations specifically like mine.

I'm shopping for insurance on small multifamily apartments, and the quotes I'm getting back have been 2-3x what I'm currently paying. This is killing cash flow and eliminating refinancing options, not to mention financing for new acquisitions. I would really welcome any advice or tips.

A quick summary of my situation:
- I’ve owned ~4 small apartments in the city of Atlanta since ~2021, all affordable housing and heavily voucher-based tenants,  ranging from 7-20 units.
-Two apartments are under Fannie Mae loans which have extra insurance requirements
- I've filed one insurance claim in my entire life - a total loss on a duplex when it burned down.
- For the apartments, I’ve had to move insurers multiple times due to insurers non-renewing in the Atlanta area
-The apartments are now clearly in the non-standard market only —  due to (a) apartments being more than 30 yrs old and (b) crime scores

-Example: 8 units in zip code 30318, 2 stories brick. Current premium $4257 but non-renewed. ~5 Quotes received so far ballpark $15K.

If anyone can suggest ways to lower these rate, brokers who specialize in my market, or any other avenues I could look into, I'd be incredibly grateful. I just cannot believe yet that this is the standard and there's no way around it.

Thank you!

Sheree Hsu

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Rental Property Investor · Marietta, GA · Member since 2014 · 41 posts · 24 votes
1y

I was also non-renewed despite no claims (insurer pulled out of market) and went from $13k in 2024 to $29k in 2025 for 24 units in northern Metro Atlanta. I have a CMBS loan with particular (difficult) insurance requirements. I tried working with 4 different commercial agents over a two month period. Two couldn't even place the insurance meeting the requirements. I wish I had answers or suggestions for you, but I was unable to do better and just wanted to share that and say you are not alone and is a frustrating situation.

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  • Rental Property Investor · Marietta, GA · Member since 2014 · 41 posts · 24 votes
    1y

    I was also non-renewed despite no claims (insurer pulled out of market) and went from $13k in 2024 to $29k in 2025 for 24 units in northern Metro Atlanta. I have a CMBS loan with particular (difficult) insurance requirements. I tried working with 4 different commercial agents over a two month period. Two couldn't even place the insurance meeting the requirements. I wish I had answers or suggestions for you, but I was unable to do better and just wanted to share that and say you are not alone and is a frustrating situation.

  • Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Sheree H.:

    Please forgive me if I'm being repetitive - I did a quick search and didn't see any situations specifically like mine.

    I'm shopping for insurance on small multifamily apartments, and the quotes I'm getting back have been 2-3x what I'm currently paying. This is killing cash flow and eliminating refinancing options, not to mention financing for new acquisitions. I would really welcome any advice or tips.

    A quick summary of my situation:
    - I’ve owned ~4 small apartments in the city of Atlanta since ~2021, all affordable housing and heavily voucher-based tenants,  ranging from 7-20 units.
    -Two apartments are under Fannie Mae loans which have extra insurance requirements
    - I've filed one insurance claim in my entire life - a total loss on a duplex when it burned down.
    - For the apartments, I’ve had to move insurers multiple times due to insurers non-renewing in the Atlanta area
    -The apartments are now clearly in the non-standard market only —  due to (a) apartments being more than 30 yrs old and (b) crime scores

    -Example: 8 units in zip code 30318, 2 stories brick. Current premium $4257 but non-renewed. ~5 Quotes received so far ballpark $15K.

    If anyone can suggest ways to lower these rate, brokers who specialize in my market, or any other avenues I could look into, I'd be incredibly grateful. I just cannot believe yet that this is the standard and there's no way around it.

    Thank you!

    Sheree Hsu


     Are there any state run programs you could try?

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  • Specialist · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2017 · 418 posts · 126 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Sheree H.:

    Please forgive me if I'm being repetitive - I did a quick search and didn't see any situations specifically like mine.

    I'm shopping for insurance on small multifamily apartments, and the quotes I'm getting back have been 2-3x what I'm currently paying. This is killing cash flow and eliminating refinancing options, not to mention financing for new acquisitions. I would really welcome any advice or tips.

    A quick summary of my situation:
    - I’ve owned ~4 small apartments in the city of Atlanta since ~2021, all affordable housing and heavily voucher-based tenants,  ranging from 7-20 units.
    -Two apartments are under Fannie Mae loans which have extra insurance requirements
    - I've filed one insurance claim in my entire life - a total loss on a duplex when it burned down.
    - For the apartments, I’ve had to move insurers multiple times due to insurers non-renewing in the Atlanta area
    -The apartments are now clearly in the non-standard market only —  due to (a) apartments being more than 30 yrs old and (b) crime scores

    -Example: 8 units in zip code 30318, 2 stories brick. Current premium $4257 but non-renewed. ~5 Quotes received so far ballpark $15K.

    If anyone can suggest ways to lower these rate, brokers who specialize in my market, or any other avenues I could look into, I'd be incredibly grateful. I just cannot believe yet that this is the standard and there's no way around it.

    Thank you!

    Sheree Hsu


     Glad to try and assist

  • Rental Property Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2013 · 67 posts · 26 votes
    1y

    Thanks for sharing, @James Sigsbee. Good to know I'm not alone in this struggle!

     @Chris Seveney I've met with multiple people in city with various tax credit programs (DCA, AUD, LIHTC). They all stressed how critical these small (under 50) affordable apartments were for the stability of the neighborhoods, but actual supportive programs and resources were slim. Most of them are targeted for new developments or large complexes, and the few that might fit required selling the land to the city and/or agreeing to an unreasonably long contract.

    @Ben Guttman Thank you. I sent you a message.

    • Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
      Moderator
      Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Sheree H.:

      Thanks for sharing, @James Sigsbee. Good to know I'm not alone in this struggle!

       @Chris Seveney I've met with multiple people in city with various tax credit programs (DCA, AUD, LIHTC). They all stressed how critical these small (under 50) affordable apartments were for the stability of the neighborhoods, but actual supportive programs and resources were slim. Most of them are targeted for new developments or large complexes, and the few that might fit required selling the land to the city and/or agreeing to an unreasonably long contract.

      @Ben Guttman Thank you. I sent you a message.


       typically the state has a program - just like california does for properties that cannot get insurance due to fires.

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  • Real Estate Broker · Alpharetta, GA · Member since 2024 · 19 posts · 7 votes
    1y

    My insurance agent may be able to assist you - Roxi Perkins

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