My PM says he's "handling" my liability and not to worry

My PM says he's "handling" my liability and not to worry

Investor · Brooklyn, NY · Member since 2019 · 185 posts · 205 votes

Hey there. I am in the process of closing on my first rental property, a SFH in Detroit. I ultimately found the property through my Property Manager, who had another client that was looking to sell it.

When I asked about liability insurance, he said that he gets a volume discount through NREIG (which I have read mixed reviews on in BP). He sent over a generic NREIG packet PDF about the policy and said the cost would be about $60/month.

Regardless, when I asked for paperwork and forms for me to evaluate and sign, he said "No paperwork; no forms. I will get you policy on day of closing."

  • Is this something that I should be concerned about? Is this typical? Do Property Managers often handle the Liability Insurance for their clients in similar fashion?

Ultimately, I plan on using my own insurance broker, but he is having issues getting the paperwork filed efficiently given the pandemic and riots. My guy asked to see the paperwork from my PM to evaluate and said that an estimate is nothing unless it's formal.

  • If I am likely (or even just have the option available) to switch providers to my broker's vendor at some point soon, does it even matter?

Backstory on my PM:  I interviewed about 12 PMs in Detroit before picking this guy. His company has about 1500 doors in the area. My Agent independently recommended him as well and vouches for him. 

If he is marking up the cost from NREIG, and that's why he is handling, it doesnt really matter to me, as I dont mind him making money. This just seems strange/shady to me.

Am I being over worried?

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Specialist · Riverside, CA · Member since 2015 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
6y

@Brian Kantor $60 per month for just liability is an absolute ton of premium, you are being ripped off if this is for just liability insurance, and you still need a landlord policy elsewhere.  If it is for a landlord policy that is less egregious but I'd for sure do my own shopping around, I have yet to find a property manager who can manage doing basic math correctly 100% of the time, I sure as hell am not going to trust them to find me the best deal on insurance, when there is no incentive for them to do so.

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  • Specialist · Riverside, CA · Member since 2015 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    6y

    @Brian Kantor $60 per month for just liability is an absolute ton of premium, you are being ripped off if this is for just liability insurance, and you still need a landlord policy elsewhere.  If it is for a landlord policy that is less egregious but I'd for sure do my own shopping around, I have yet to find a property manager who can manage doing basic math correctly 100% of the time, I sure as hell am not going to trust them to find me the best deal on insurance, when there is no incentive for them to do so.

  • Julie PrewittPro Member
    Specialist · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2018 · 22 posts · 12 votes
    6y

    Hi @Brian Kantor - full disclosure, I work for NREIG. While it is not uncommon for a Property Manager to handle insurance on behalf of the owners they work with, you should have an agreement in place giving them authorization to do so. If you would like to speak to someone here to better understand who we are, what we offer, and what is covered, please feel free to direct message me and I'll connect you to the right person.

  • Property Manager · Ketchum, ID · Member since 2016 · 277 posts · 132 votes
    6y

    Most insurance policies for fire and what ever you have covered offer you liability coverage and when bundled you get better rated.  How much is this coverage for $300/$500 or $1,000,000/$2,000,000.  Just get a policy estimate from your insurance broker which will include the liability rider.  You can compare the costs then.  But with virtually no information on what the coverage is, I would refuse it.  And your PM sounds like the arrogant type who knows more than you so I would be careful there.

  • Investor · Brooklyn, NY · Member since 2019 · 185 posts · 205 votes
    6y

    Thanks, all. I am pretty sure that this is both landlord and liability.

    I definitely do plan on shopping around for the policy I hold long-term, but short term, I am closing within the week and feel like I need to have a stop-gap policy until I can find something better.

    • Is there any "problem" with using this policy for a month or so until I find something better?
    • Either way, what is the specific name of the document or documents that I should be requesting from my PM about this policy?

    Thanks again!

  • Drew SygitBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    6y

    @Brian Kantor most of these types of policies are month-to-month, so you can cancel at any time.

    Regarding the cost, $60/month = $720 annually, which is not expensive for a Detroit property - as long as it covers liability and fire. Make sure you understand the policy as they usually don't cover breakins or theft.

    As others have stated, it is pretty common for a PM to have a Master Policy that they add their clients to. Just make sure you are added as an "Additionally Insured" as you are the owner. 

  • Investor · Brooklyn, NY · Member since 2019 · 185 posts · 205 votes
    6y

    Thanks, @Drew Sygit. Very helpful.

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