Where to Place Apartment & Habitational Insurance

Real carrier recommendations from independent insurance agents who have successfully placed apartment buildings and multi-family habitational risks.

30
Discussions
35
Agent Replies
29
Carriers Mentioned

Apartment & Habitational Insurance Placement Guide

Finding the right carrier for apartment buildings and multi-family habitational risks is one of the most common challenges independent insurance agents face. Based on 30 real placement discussions from working agents, this guide summarizes which carriers are writing this class of business, what underwriting hurdles to expect, and which states have the most active markets.

Older buildings, high unit counts, mixed-use properties, and coastal locations make habitational risks increasingly difficult to place. Many carriers have pulled back from this class due to social inflation and nuclear verdicts in premises liability.

The carrier recommendations below aren't theoretical — they come from agents who have actually bound coverage for apartment buildings and multi-family habitational risks. The most frequently mentioned carriers are Auto-Owners, Foremost, Travelers, USLI, Erie. Scroll down for the full list, state-by-state breakdowns, and detailed agent discussions.

Industry Classification Codes

NAICS: 531110 — Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings
SIC: 6512 — Operators of Apartment Buildings

Top Carriers for Apartment & Habitational Insurance

These carriers are most frequently recommended by agents for placing apartment buildings and multi-family habitational risks. Rankings are based on how often agents mention each carrier in successful placement discussions.

Auto-Owners 5 mentions Foremost 4 mentions Travelers 4 mentions USLI 4 mentions Erie 3 mentions Progressive 3 mentions State Farm 3 mentions Philadelphia 2 mentions Scottsdale 2 mentions Kinsale 2 mentions Colony 2 mentions Nationwide 2 mentions Nautilus 2 mentions BHHC 2 mentions State Auto 2 mentions

Key Data Insights: Apartment & Habitational Insurance

Our analysis of 30 placement discussions reveals patterns that can help agents place apartment buildings and multi-family habitational risks more efficiently:

Auto-Owners
Most recommended carrier (5 mentions)
South Carolina
Most discussed state (4 discussions)
1.2
Average agent replies per question
80%
Questions with no replies (harder risks)

Data sourced from 30 verified agent discussions. Updated daily as new discussions are captured.

Which Carriers Write Apartment & Habitational Insurance in Each State?

This matrix shows which carriers have been recommended by agents for apartment buildings and multi-family habitational risks in specific states. Data is based on 30 real placement discussions — a ✓ means at least one agent has reported placing this risk with that carrier in that state.

CarrierSCWIOHMOMNILIAINLA
Auto-Owners
Foremost
Travelers
USLI
Erie
Progressive
Philadelphia
Scottsdale
Kinsale
Colony
Nationwide
Nautilus

Based on 30 agent discussions. Carrier availability may vary — always verify with the carrier or your wholesaler. Last updated: July 14, 2026.

States With Active Discussions

Agents in these states have shared placement experiences for apartment buildings and multi-family habitational risks.

South Carolina (4) Wisconsin (3) Ohio (3) Missouri (3) Minnesota (2) Illinois (2) Iowa (1) CA (1) IA (1) Indiana (1) Louisiana (1) New Mexico (1) Florida (1)

Agent Discussions About Apartment & Habitational Insurance

Real conversations from independent insurance agents about placing apartment buildings and multi-family habitational risks. Each discussion includes the original question and agent replies with carrier suggestions.

Discussion

In SC, I have an LLC that owns 2 commercial LRO medical offices and 5 rental townhomes. Originally wrote the townhomes with Foremost on a dwelling fire policy and the medical offices with Cincinnati on a BOP. Trying to quote an umbrella, but a commercial umbrella can’t sit above a dwelling fire...
📍 South Carolina 🏢 Progressive, Cincinnati, State Auto, Foremost 💬 12 replies
Agent Reply
Dude, working thru like 3 of those right now. & client never understands “why can’t we just bundle it all together & save a ton of money”. Does Cincy not want the townhomes at all or do they just not...
Agent Reply
has anybody heard of an AIAI? No idea what that acronym stands for, we lost a nice sized HOA association to them. Only information the property manager gave me was that they placed the coverage with...
Agent Reply
Associations Insurance Agency Inc.
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Located in Illinois. Who would insure 8 unit 2 story apartment building.
📍 Illinois 🏢 Erie, Auto-Owners, Travelers, Nationwide, Nautilus, USLI, BHHC 💬 10 replies
Agent Reply
Andover
Agent Reply
I'm very competitive with this Commercial Fire with Shylo Rich Agency - Shelter Insurance
Agent Reply
Erie, Auto-Owners if 25 years or younger. — Carriers mentioned: Erie, Auto-Owners
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As everyone knows the 5+ unit Apartment building (Habitational) insurance market has gotten extremely difficult to place risks. I am looking to connect with any agents who is still able to offer coverage for apartment buildings in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa.
📍 Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin 💬 4 replies
Agent Reply
Foremost does habitational up to 8 units in the Midwest. — Carriers mentioned: Foremost
Agent Reply
Auto-Owners writes apartment buildings in WI and MN. They've been solid for me. — Carriers mentioned: Auto-Owners
Agent Reply
Try Westfield or EMC Insurance for Midwest apartment buildings. — Carriers mentioned: EMC, Westfield
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OH - 1930s Brick 19 unit apartment building. 23,000 sqft. newer roof, Wayne, Ohio Mutual, Auto-Owners all declined. Who will look at this? New purchase.
📍 Ohio 🏢 Auto-Owners 💬 4 replies
Agent Reply
Foremost will look at older apartments. — Carriers mentioned: Foremost
Agent Reply
Try Philadelphia or Scottsdale on the E&S side. — Carriers mentioned: Philadelphia, Scottsdale
Agent Reply
Kinsale has appetite for older habitational risks. — Carriers mentioned: Kinsale
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Discussion

I heard we can use Denison’s, is that true? Other than that, where else may I find public courts? Thank you!
📍 Ohio 💬 3 replies
Agent Reply
Newark! Actually brand new. I belong to Granville Tennis Club - come out to the open house!
Agent Reply
Yes, the public may use Denison’s courts as long as they are not in use. Not public, but the Granville Tennis Club has courts on River Road.
Agent Reply
Ohio Real Estate Investors Wright Turn Hauling & Junk Removal LLC Wright Turn Hauling & Junk Removal LLC| Columbus,Ohio Service 5 Customers *Junk Hauling *Eviction Trash/Out *Foreclosure Trash/Out...
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What carriers would insure a residential apartment building with commercial businesses below?
💬 2 replies
Agent Reply
That's a mixed-use building. Most admitted carriers won't touch it. Go E&S - Kinsale, Scottsdale, or Colony. — Carriers mentioned: Colony, Kinsale, Scottsdale
Agent Reply
Philadelphia Insurance has a good mixed-use program. — Carriers mentioned: Philadelphia
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Commercial Auto Fleet with Geico - How Many Units

I'm new to writing commercial auto with Geico. How many units do they consider fleet and how do you quote that with them?
🏢 GEICO
View full discussion →

Discussion

In Colorado for a Renter's Policy: The apartment building wants to be listed as an additional interest (not just a notified party). Insured is currently with Safeco. Safeco won't list apartment building as an additional interest because the apartment building should have their own commercial policy...
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Discussion

Will Travelers insure a 7 unit apartment building? Liberty Mutual won't take it because it's a 1980 and 2 other companies denied because they will only accept up to 4 unit.
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Discussion

Looking for a Farmers agent in IL to quote an apartment building for a client of mine they are getting dropped by current carrier on 06/15
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Apartment & Habitational Insurance by State

Browse state-specific carrier recommendations and agent discussions for apartment buildings and multi-family habitational risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What carriers write apartment buildings and multi-family habitational risks?

Based on 30 agent discussions, the most frequently recommended carriers for apartment buildings and multi-family habitational risks include Auto-Owners, Foremost, Travelers, USLI, Erie. Carrier availability varies by state and specific risk characteristics. Surplus lines markets may offer additional options when admitted carriers decline.

Why is apartment & habitational insurance hard to place?

Older buildings, high unit counts, mixed-use properties, and coastal locations make habitational risks increasingly difficult to place. Many carriers have pulled back from this class due to social inflation and nuclear verdicts in premises liability.

What states have the most apartment & habitational insurance placement discussions?

The states with the most agent discussions about placing apartment buildings and multi-family habitational risks are South Carolina, Wisconsin, Ohio, Missouri, Minnesota. Coverage availability and pricing can vary significantly by state due to regulatory differences and local market competition.

How do I get a quote for apartment buildings and multi-family habitational risks?

Start by contacting the carriers most frequently recommended by agents: Auto-Owners, Foremost, Travelers, USLI, Erie. Many agents also report success through wholesale brokers and MGAs who specialize in this class. The 30 discussions on this page include specific agent experiences with quoting and binding coverage.

Is apartment & habitational insurance available in the admitted market?

It depends on the state and specific risk details. Some admitted carriers do write apartment buildings and multi-family habitational risks, but many agents report needing to access surplus lines or specialty markets. States like South Carolina, Wisconsin, Ohio tend to have more carrier options based on agent discussions.

What coverage does a apartment buildings and multi-family habitational risk need?

Typical coverage needs include general liability, property, and often workers compensation. Depending on the specific operation, agents also discuss commercial auto, professional liability, inland marine, and umbrella coverage for apartment buildings and multi-family habitational risks. Review the agent discussions below for specific coverage recommendations.

About This Data

The carrier recommendations on this page come from 30 real discussions between independent insurance agents with 35 agent replies. Every data point originates from a verified agent community — not marketing materials, carrier websites, or AI-generated content. Data is captured daily and this page was last updated on July 14, 2026. Read our full methodology.