The Obie Blog

From coverage clarity to practical property tips, explore what you need to keep your real estate investments protected.

Obie Founders Named Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 by EY US

‍EY US celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs shaping the future of business

The Baldwin Group Completes Acquisition of Obie

The Baldwin Group has completed its acquisition of Obie, strengthening its embedded insurance distribution capabilities across the real estate investor ecosystem. The partnership expands access to technology-driven insurance solutions for landlords while preserving Obie’s specialized focus, nationwide reach, and platform-led approach to modern insurance distribution.

Obie Named “Insurance Company of the Year” at IMN’s SFR Industry Awards

Obie is named IMN’s 2025 Insurance Company of the Year for redefining landlord insurance with expert coverage, integrations, and tools built for SFR investors.

More Carriers. More Control. Obie Adds Markel to Empower Investors With More Insurance Options.

By integrating with Markel, a leading name in specialty insurance, Obie expands its capacity for its nationwide program, giving landlords greater flexibility, better pricing, and coverage tailored to their investment strategies.

Obie Named to 2025 Inc. 5000, Ranking in the Top 10 for Insurance

Obie ranked #350 on the 2025 Inc. 5000 and #9 in Insurance, marking a 500+ spot leap from last year. This recognition reflects our commitment to faster coverage, stronger partnerships, and supporting the real estate investment ecosystem.

Meet the New Obie: Moving Investment Property Insurance Forward

The insurance industry is changing rapidly—and Obie is evolving with it.

What to Know About Landlord Insurance in California

If you own or are considering buying rental property in California, you’ll need landlord insurance. This article will explain what you need to know about landlord insurance in The Golden State.

Obie and Backflip Work to Increase Transparency for Real Estate Investors Through New Partnership

Obie and Backflip join forces to simplify insurance and financing, giving real estate investors a faster, more transparent closing process.

What to Know About Landlord Insurance in Colorado

If you own or are considering buying rental property in Colorado, you’ll need landlord insurance. This article will explain what you need to know about landlord insurance in The Centennial State.

Inflation is Affecting Real Estate Investor Insurance Rates and May Negatively Impact Cashflow

Real estate investors have begun to see insurance premiums rise due to inflation. There are several factors at play and a few practical ways to avoid unnecessary increases.

DP1 Insurance Policy: What It Covers and When It’s Useful

A DP1 policy (Dwelling Fire Form 1) is the most basic form of landlord and dwelling-fire insurance. It is a named perils policy that typically covers nine perils and pays claims on an actual cash value (ACV) basis, meaning depreciation is subtracted from your payout. It is most often used for vacant properties, standalone structures, and budget-conscious landlords who need basic protection. DP2 and DP3 policies offer broader coverage and replacement cost value.

DP1 vs. DP2 vs. DP3: Which Insurance Policy Fits Your Needs?

Landlords have a lot of choices when it comes to insurance, and it can be quite confusing. This article will explain the difference between DP1, DP2, and DP3 policies.

DP3 Insurance Policy: What it Covers and When It’s Useful

A DP3 policy (Dwelling Fire Form 3), also called the special form, is the broadest and most popular type of dwelling fire and landlord insurance. It is an open perils policy, meaning it covers all causes of loss except those specifically excluded, and it pays claims at replacement cost value (RCV). DP3 typically includes liability and loss of rental income and is best suited to non-owner-occupied long-term and short-term rentals. It does not cover tenants' belongings, so tenants still need renters insurance.

DP2 Insurance Policy: What it Covers and When It’s Most Useful

A DP2 policy (Dwelling Fire Form 2), also called broad form, is a named perils landlord policy that covers 18 specified perils, more than DP1 but fewer than DP3's open-peril coverage. It pays dwelling claims on a replacement cost value (RCV) basis rather than actual cash value, and usually includes fair rental value coverage. DP2 is the middle option, best for landlords who want broader protection than DP1 without the higher cost of DP3.

What to Know About Landlord Insurance in Illinois

If you're a landlord in Illinois, it's essential to know how insurance for rental property works and how to find the best coverage for your needs. This blog post will take a closer look at landlord insurance in Illinois to help you make an informed decision about which policies are best for you and your rental property.

What To Know About Landlord Insurance in Ohio

This blog post will discuss what landlord insurance is and why you need it, and some of the specific coverage options available. So if you're thinking about buying or renting out a property in Ohio, be sure to read on!

How to Get Landlord Insurance For Multiple Properties

By the end of this article, you will better understand how to insure multiple properties and where to find the best landlord insurance.

Where To Find The Best Short-Term Rental Insurance In 2026

This article will delve deeper into the meaning of short-term rental insurance, how it works, why you need it, and some of the best insurers you can use.

How Much Landlord Insurance You Need: A Clear and Simple Guide

This article will discuss the main types of landlord insurance coverage, how landlord insurance differs from homeowners insurance, and the best places to find landlord insurance for rental property.

How Much Does Landlord Insurance Cost in 2026?

Landlord insurance in 2026 typically costs $800 to $3,000 per year for a 3-bed/2-bath single-family rental, depending on the state.

Best Insurance for Real Estate Investors: Coverage Types and How To Choose

The best insurance for real estate investors is a landlord (rental property) policy built around your specific properties, combining dwelling or hazard coverage, liability protection, and loss of rental income, then extended with flood, umbrella, or builder's risk coverage based on your portfolio and risk exposure. The "best" policy is the one matched to how you actually use each property, not the cheapest premium you can find.

Obie Partners With Here to Provide Insurance Support in the Short-Term Rental Space

Obie and Here have partnered to enable real estate investors to more easily expand their portfolios into the vacation rental market.

Obie Partners with New Silver

Obie has partnered with New Silver to make getting insured simple and quick for real estate investors who have leveraged New Silver’s lending technology. Investors can now get approved and close on a loan with New Silver in 7 days and insure their asset instantly with Obie.

Obie Partners With Fund That Flip to Streamline their Lending Process

Obie and Fund That Flip are working together to eliminate the insurance headaches associated with closing on a loan on your investment property.

Obie Teams Up With Roofstock

Obie is teaming up with Roofstock to help streamline investment property transactions.

Obie Partners With Baselane to Simplify Landlord Finances

Obie Partners With Baselane to Simplify Landlord Finances

2021 Year in Review

We've been hard at work in 2021. See how we've grown, what we've done, and where we're headed in our year- end review.

6 Tips for Renting Out Your Home in the Winter

Have a vacant rental property in the winter? Don't fret. Follow these six tips to attract and keep tenants in the cold winter months.

7 Holiday Home Disasters & Whether Your Insurance Will Cover Them or Not

Protect your rental property this holiday season. Be prepared for these 7 home disasters and know what your landlord insurance will cover.

How to Buy Rental Property: 7 Tips for First-Time Investors

Looking to invest in real estate? Here's how you can buy rental property and become a landlord.

Obie Announces Partnership With Fractional to Make Investing More Accessible

Obie announces partnership with Fractional — a social platform for real estate investing with others. Through this partnership, investors can buy rental property and get coverage all in one place.

How Much to Charge for Rent? A 5-Step Guide for Landlords

Monthly Rent = (Home Value × 0.8 % to 1.1 %), then cross-check expenses, comparable listings, and any local rent caps. This range keeps cash flow positive while staying competitive for tenants.

Obie Partners With Belong to Support New Landlords

Obie has partnered with Belong to help provide new landlords with rental property insurance. Instead of spending hours (or days!) shopping around for property management companies and insurance, this partnership provides the convenience and ease of getting both in one place.

Obie Partners With Doorvest to Provide Coverage to Investors

Obie is proud to announce a partnership with Doorvest —a full service real estate investing platform that helps everyday people buy and own rental homes completely online.

10 Common Tenant Complaints and How To Resolve Them

The most common tenant complaints are: unresolved maintenance issues, rent increases, security deposit disputes, poor landlord communication, lack of privacy, safety concerns, noisy neighbors, pests, heating and utility problems, and parking or shared-space disputes. Maintenance issues are consistently the single most common complaint landlords receive.

Obie and NestEgg Partner for Seamless Property Management Experience

Obie is partnering with NestEgg, a property management company that takes the stress out of being a landlord. Learn more about the partnership and NestEgg.

Does Landlord Insurance Cover Tenant Damages? A Landlord’s Guide

Yes, but coverage for tenant damage depends entirely on two things: the peril and the type of landlord insurance policy you have. Your policy is designed to protect you from catastrophic financial losses, not to cover every instance of tenant carelessness.

Should I Sell or Rent My House? 8 Factors to Consider

Moving properties and not sure whether to rent or sell your first home? Here are some key considerations to help you make a decision.

What Is an Escrow Account? Your Guide to Mortgagee Billing

Have some questions on your mortgagee billing? See how you can set up your mortgagee billing, switch carriers mid-policy, and more.

Top 9 Signs of Clogged Gutters & How to Fix Them

Clogged gutters can cause problems like mold, flooding, wall damage, and much more. Identify the signs of clogged gutters before your property is damaged.

How to Rent Out Your House: Your Guide to Becoming a Landlord

Renting out your first property can yield passive income as you settled into your second property. Learn how to rent out your house in our definitive guide.

11 Signs of Water Damage on Your Property

Catch water damage early and you could save thousands in repair costs. Here's how you can spot water damage on your property before it gets worse.

DP1 vs DP3: What Dwelling Policy Do You Need?

DP1 is a named perils policy that covers about nine specific perils and pays claims at actual cash value (ACV), making it the cheapest dwelling policy and best suited to vacant or budget situations. DP3 is an open perils policy that covers all risks except stated exclusions, pays replacement cost value (RCV), and usually adds liability and loss of rent, making it the more comprehensive choice for occupied long-term rentals. Most landlords with tenants choose DP3, while DP1 fits vacant or short-term cases.

The Must-Do Fall Maintenance Checklist for Landlords

Prepare for winter with this ultimate fall maintenance checklist. Landlords with rental properties, follow this list to reduce damage to your property and keep your tenants safe and warm.

The Landlord’s Ultimate Guide to Rental Property Inspections

As a landlord, you may wonder if you should be inspecting your property regularly. What should you be looking for and how often should you be looking? Find out here.

When Are Landlords Liable for Tenant Injuries?

Learn what landlords can be held liable for. Protect yourself and your rental property with landlord insurance.

Landlord Insurance vs. Homeowners Insurance: Which Policy Do You Need?

Landlord insurance protects a rental property’s structure, covers liability for tenant injuries, and reimburses lost rent after a covered loss, whereas homeowners insurance is for an owner-occupied home—paying for the structure, the owner’s personal belongings, and temporary living costs during repairs.

Top 11 Tips for First-Time Landlords

Learn the top tips to help you thrive as a landlord.

Proudly announcing our $10.7M Series A funding

Obie closes $10.7M Series A funding to reinvent the insurance process for landlords and real estate investors.

How Landlords Can Avoid Natural Disaster Scams and Fraud

After natural disasters, scammers and fraudsters try making money off unsuspecting landlords. See common red flags and how to avoid falling for a scam.

When to Consider an Umbrella Insurance Policy

Get information on what’s covered in an umbrella insurance policy, how much umbrella policies cost, and more with this helpful guide.

Insurance Policies for Buildings Under Construction

Protect your property during construction with the right insurance coverage designed for landlords and real estate investors.

The Importance of Earthquake Insurance

Learn what earthquake insurance coverage includes and what types of plans are typically available.

Wind or Hail Deductibles and Your Insurance

Wind and hail deductibles are a necessity for many homeowner insurance policies. Learn if you need wind and hail coverage and how to choose a policy.

What is Replacement Cost Value Insurance Coverage?

What is replacement cost value? Learn what replacement cost value is, how it may relate to your insurance policy, and how it compares to other insurance options.

Everything You Need to Know About Buying Vacant Buildings

Vacant properties carry higher liability and coverage challenges investors must address upfront.

Remote Work and Commercial Real Estate Insurance

Shifts in office demand and usage are reshaping how commercial real estate insurance is underwritten.

The Role of Asset Management in Commercial Real Estate

Strong asset management strategies preserve property value and optimize investor returns in CRE.

How to Create An Effective CRE Tour

A well-structured CRE tour balances preparation, presentation, and follow-up to ensure prospects walk away with a clear impression of the property.

What You Need to Know When Buying Commercial Property Insurance

Calculating the insurance rates of commercial property is much different than residential property. Here’s what you need to know.

Insurance Costs and Your Proforma

In part one of a series on insurance costs and related topics, Obie founder Ryan Letzeiser walks you through important considerations when exploring commercial real estate insurance.

How to Factor In ARV Before Investing in a Distressed Property

After-Repair Value (ARV) sets the benchmark for a property’s post-renovation value, helping investors decide whether a distressed deal is profitable.

How to Take Commercial Real Estate Photos

High-quality photos emphasize space, lighting, and details that influence buyer perception and speed up the sales process.

How to Do a Market Analysis for a Commercial Property

A commercial property market analysis evaluates the market a building sits in, including its supply and demand, vacancy and rent trends, and the local economy. A comparative market analysis (CMA) values the property itself by comparing it to similar properties that were recently sold or leased. Do both before you buy. The market analysis tells you whether the area is worth investing in, and the CMA tells you whether the property is priced right.

How CRE Tech Can Make Owners Better Landlords

By leveraging CRE tech, landlords can enhance daily efficiency, improve tenant satisfaction, and protect property performance

Obie Raises $2.8M to Transform Commercial Real Estate Insurance and Portfolio Management

Obie, a rental property insurance company, launches publicly as it raises seed funding from Y Combinator, MetaProp, FundersClub, and others.

Understanding The Shift From LIBOR to SOFR

The shift to SOFR changes loan benchmarks, affecting rates and terms on commercial real estate debt.

Understanding Inverted Yield Curves in Commercial Real Estate

An inverted yield curve signals economic uncertainty that directly impacts commercial real estate financing.

Is Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) Worth it?

PMI does add cost but can make financing possible for investors with less upfront capital.

What To Know About Your Cap Rate

Cap rate measures a property’s potential return, guiding investors in evaluating income-producing real estate.

How to Invest in Commercial Real Estate With Little Money

Creative financing, partnerships, and small-scale deals allow investors to access CRE opportunities without large upfront capital.

Factoring In ARV Before Investing

After Repair Value (ARV) is one of the most important tools for house flippers. Here’s how to calculate it and use it to guide smart investments.

How to Create Positive Real Estate Cash Flow

Creating cash flow in real estate depends on property selection, financing strategy, and ongoing expense management

The Value of Commercial Real Estate Insurance

Commercial real estate insurance coverage is a way for investors to mitigate the risk that comes along with owning a property.

Commercial Real Estate Risk Management: Types and Strategies

Commercial real estate risk management is the process of identifying, assessing, and reducing the threats that can lower a property's value or income, then transferring whatever risk is left to an insurer. The goal is steady cash flow and protected long-term value. The strongest approach pairs each type of risk (market, financial, tenant, operational, physical, environmental, regulatory, and cyber) with a specific way to handle it: avoid it, control it, transfer it, or accept it.

Why You Should Use a CRE Insurance Calculator Before Committing to an Insurance Plan

An insurance calculator estimates coverage costs and risks, helping CRE investors choose the right plan.

How to Find Commercial Real Estate Online

Online CRE searches rely on accurate listings, filters, and market data that reveal the properties most aligned with investor goals.

Commercial Real Estate vs. Residential: Where to Invest

Residential real estate covers properties with one to four units, like single-family homes and small multifamily, financed with standard mortgages and valued on comparable sales. Commercial real estate covers business-use property and any multifamily building with five or more units, valued on the income it produces. Residential is cheaper to enter and steadier; commercial costs more and carries more risk but offers higher income and longer leases. The right choice depends on your capital, your risk tolerance, and how hands-on you want to be.

What is Real Estate Wholesaling?

Wholesaling lets investors profit from property contracts without owning the real estate directly.

Defining Commercial Property Value

Defining commercial property value requires an understanding of average and good returns on commercial real estate.

Investing in Mixed-Use Developments

How to Start Investing in Real Estate

First-time investors succeed by focusing on property types, financing options, and risk management before making a purchase.

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