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Apartment Building Insurance in California

Insurance for apartment buildings of 5 units or more, including buildings dropped for wildfire risk. A licensed broker quotes the property markets and the California FAIR Plan in one request.

Licensed in California

Menlo Insurance Services is the filed name of Opero Labs Inc. California license #6020106.

Eight brokers, one team

Our eight brokers work together as one Menlo team, so you can reach a person who understands your account.

Independent brokerage

We hold appointments with multiple carriers, so the quote is shopped rather than served from one shelf.

Buildings we place

5 units or more

Apartment buildings, and smaller buildings owned by a corporation or LLC.

Declined for wildfire

When the property markets say no, the FAIR Plan commercial fire policy covers up to $20 million per building.

Property and liability together

The FAIR Plan BOP adds liability for buildings up to 6 stories and 60 units, on a paper application we prepare.

Large portfolios

Up to $100 million per location. Over $20 million in total is a Commercial High Value policy.

What an apartment building policy can insure

The building

Fire, with extended coverage, vandalism and sprinkler leakage optional on the FAIR Plan.

Lost rents

Business income and extra expense while a covered loss is repaired.

Your property on site

Business personal property such as laundry and maintenance equipment.

Other structures

Carports, garages and separate buildings on the property.

FAIR Plan limits for apartment buildings

  1. 01

    Per building

    Up to $20 million.

  2. 02

    Per location

    Up to $100 million. Over $20 million in total is a Commercial High Value policy with a loss control survey.

  3. 03

    Deductible

    $500 to $75,000, or 1% to 15% of the value.

Property only, or property and liability

The FAIR Plan offers two ways to insure an apartment building. We help you pick and prepare the application.

  • Commercial Fire

    Property only: the building, lost rents and your property on site. Liability is a separate policy.

  • Businessowners policy

    Property plus liability, for buildings up to 6 stories and 60 units. It is a paper application that we prepare.

  • Photos and a site diagram

    The FAIR Plan asks for a photo of each building and a diagram when there are several.

A condominium building with balconies

What to have ready

  • Each building's address
  • Units, stories, year built and square footage
  • Construction and sprinklers
  • Building value and annual rents
  • A photo of each building
  • Losses in the past five years

Related requests

What sets the price

  • Construction class
  • Number of units and stories
  • Sprinklers
  • Building value and rents
  • Deductible chosen
  • Losses in the past five years

Questions we get asked

Does the FAIR Plan insure apartment buildings?

Yes. Buildings of 5 or more units go on the FAIR Plan commercial fire policy, up to $20 million per building. A 1 to 4 unit building owned by a business goes there too.

Does it include liability?

Commercial Fire does not. The FAIR Plan BOP includes liability for buildings up to 6 stories and 60 units. Otherwise liability is a separate policy.

See general liability

What deductibles are there?

From $500 to $75,000, or 1% to 15% of the value.

Is a large building different?

Over $20 million in total insured value is a Commercial High Value policy, with a loss control survey and a temporary supplemental fee.

Read about the supplemental fee

Can you write this where my business is?

We are currently licensed in California only. Start a quote if the business or risk is in California, and we will confirm eligibility before you spend time on it.

What happens after I start a quote?

Tell us about the coverage you need and complete the application. We use those details to approach suitable markets and may ask follow-up questions. Requesting a quote does not put coverage in force.

Review your coverage options.

A licensed broker can review eligibility and policy terms with you.