Owning a Rental Near USC? Umbrella Coverage for Landlords

Plenty of Lexington residents own rental homes across the river in Columbia, often leased to University of South Carolina students in neighborhoods like Shandon, Rosewood, and around Five Points. Student rentals can be a smart investment, but they also bring liability exposure that a basic policy may not fully address. An umbrella can add protection, as long as it’s set up correctly.

Five Questions Every Rental Owner Should Ask

1. Does my rental policy include liability coverage?

Some dwelling fire policies for rental homes include premises liability only when it’s added. If a tenant’s guest falls on a broken step, that liability coverage is the first line of defense, and it’s usually the underlying policy an umbrella sits on top of.

2. Is the rental listed on my umbrella?

Many personal umbrella policies cover rental properties only when they’re disclosed and meet minimum underlying liability limits. Some carriers also limit how many rental units a personal umbrella can include.

3. Who actually owns the property?

If the rental is titled to an LLC, a personal umbrella may not extend to it. In that case, the LLC may need its own liability and commercial umbrella coverage, or the policies may need to be structured differently.

4. Is the house older?

Many homes near campus were built before 1978, when lead-based paint was still common. Federal rules require lead disclosures for older rentals, and many liability and umbrella policies exclude lead-related claims, so it’s worth asking how yours treats them.

5. Do my tenants carry renters insurance?

Requiring renters insurance in the lease helps protect tenants’ belongings and can provide them with their own liability coverage.

Party Season and Game Days

Football weekends and student gatherings increase foot traffic on porches, stairs, and decks. Prompt repairs help reduce risk and support your duties under South Carolina landlord-tenant law.

Our post on umbrella insurance for Lexington families covers the basics. Stedman Group, Inc. in Lexington, SC can review your rental and umbrella insurance together. Policy wording varies. Property owners in Lexington, SC and the Midlands can reach out to Stedman Group, Inc. anytime.