Rent and damage protection

Rent and damage protection, built into Signature

On our Signature plan, landlord protection insurance covers set amounts of lost rent, eviction costs and tenant damage. It comes with the plan, so there is no separate policy for you to arrange.

  • Lost rent after a lease break or an eviction order
  • Eviction filing, defense and sheriff costs
  • Malicious damage and theft by a tenant
Book a free rental evaluation See plans and fees
10 weeks Lost rent after an eviction order, up to
$35,000 Malicious damage by a tenant, up to
$15,000 Theft by a tenant, up to
$5,000 Eviction filing and defense costs, up to

Limits, conditions and a $1,500 deductible on damage and theft claims apply.

When it helps

What happens if things go wrong

Three situations landlords worry about most, and what the cover pays towards in each. If it happens, we handle the claim for you.

Unpaid rent

Your tenant stops paying

The case goes to Housing Court. Once the eviction order is granted, the cover pays lost rent and the costs of the eviction.

Lost rent up to 10 weeks
Filing and defense costs up to $5,000
Sheriff, marshal or constable up to $600

If the case reaches a writ of possession, lost rent cover rises to up to 12 weeks.

Lease break

Your tenant leaves without paying

The tenant breaks the lease and moves out owing rent. The cover pays lost rent while we find a new tenant.

Lost rent up to 8 weeks

Damage

Your tenant damages the property

A tenant deliberately damages the building or its contents, or steals from it. The cover pays for repairs and losses, less the deductible.

Malicious damage up to $35,000
Theft or damage during theft up to $15,000
Deductible per event $1,500

If the damage leaves the home unfit to live in, lost rent cover of up to 8 weeks also applies.

Full cover

Everything the policy covers

Limits are per claim and subject to the policy wording.

Loss of rent

The number of weeks depends on what happened.

Tenant breaks the lease and leaves 8 weeks
Eviction order granted 10 weeks
Writ of possession obtained 12 weeks
Death of a sole tenant 12 weeks
Home unfit to live in after tenant damage 8 weeks
Tenant is a victim of violence 4 weeks
Murder or suicide at the property 25 weeks

Damage, theft and costs

Damage and theft claims carry a $1,500 deductible per event.

Malicious or intentional damage by a tenant $35,000
Theft, or damage during theft $15,000
Eviction filing fee and defense costs $5,000
Sheriff, marshal or constable fees $600
Digital lockbox loss $5,000
Damage by a service or companion animal $1,000
Re-keying locks $400
Who is covered Every property on the Signature plan with a monthly rent of $1,000 or more.
Rent limit Lost rent is paid on the lease rent, up to $3,000 a month.
Deductible $1,500 per event on malicious damage and theft claims.
Conditions Policy terms, exclusions and limits apply. Rent arrears when cover starts affect cover.

Why it matters

A deposit only goes so far

In Massachusetts a security deposit can be no more than one month’s rent, and an eviction case can take months to resolve. Signature’s cover is there for the costs a deposit cannot reach.

  • Lost rent paid, up to set limits, once an eviction order is granted
  • Legal and court costs are covered up to set limits
  • Repairs after deliberate damage are paid, less the deductible

Questions about the cover

Is the cover included in the Signature fee?

Yes. Landlord protection comes with every Signature property. There is no separate policy for you to buy or renew.

Who provides the insurance?

The cover is Scheer Landlord Protection Insurance, arranged through SureVestor, Inc. Chelworths is not the insurer, but we handle the claim with the insurer for you.

When does lost rent cover pay out?

It depends on what happened. After a lease break it covers up to 8 weeks. When a tenant stops paying, it covers up to 10 weeks once an eviction order is granted, and up to 12 weeks if the case reaches a writ of possession. The full list is in the table above.

Is every property eligible?

Cover is available on Signature where the monthly rent is $1,000 or more. Lost rent is paid on the lease rent up to $3,000 a month, and rent arrears when cover starts will affect cover. All cover is subject to the policy terms.

Can I add the cover to Essentials or Professional?

The cover comes only with the Signature plan. If you are already a client, speak to your property manager about moving to Signature.

Does it replace my landlord insurance?

No. The cover protects against tenant-related losses such as unpaid rent, eviction costs and deliberate damage. You still need your own landlord insurance for the building, covering risks such as fire, storms and liability.

Talk to us about protecting your rent

Book a free rental evaluation. One of our managers will walk the property with you, give you a rent we would be confident listing at and explain how Signature’s cover would work for it.

Book a free rental evaluation Call (617) 507-3333

Protection on the Signature plan is Scheer Landlord Protection Insurance, arranged through SureVestor, Inc. (agent, Delaware license #0699809). Chelworths is not the insurer. Cover is subject to the policy wording, conditions, exclusions, limits and deductibles, and is not available where the monthly rent is below $1,000. Rent arrears when cover starts will affect cover. Lost rent is settled on the lesser of the lease rent or $3,000 a month. Cost and cover examples use the North Shore average asking rent of $2,746 from the August 2026 rent index, with weekly rent estimated as monthly rent multiplied by 12 and divided by 52. Your management agreement sets out the services and fees that apply to your property.