Does Monoline require a primary residence for umbrella coverage?
Yes. All Monoline personal umbrella policies must be anchored by a qualifying owner-occupied primary residence. We do not provide standalone umbrella coverage for rental properties without a primary residence.
Why this requirement matters: Monoline personal umbrella policies are designed to provide excess liability coverage over a comprehensive base of personal coverage. The primary residence serves as the foundation of your policy, and additional properties (including rental properties and secondary residences) can be added once this anchor is established.
What qualifies as a primary residence?
A primary residence is the property where you primarily live and consider your main home. Properties outside the United States are not eligible to be listed as primary residences.
To qualify as a primary residence:
You must live in the property as your main home
No portion of the property may be rented out for more than 45 days per policy year (consecutive or otherwise)
The property must be covered by a homeowners policy with at least $300,000 in liability coverage (CSL - Combined Single Limit)- The property must be located within the United States
Eligible property types for primary residence:
Single-family houses
Townhouses
Condos
Apartments
Multi-family homes (with owner occupied unit)- Rented apartments or homes (with a renters insurance policy meeting all underlying requirements)
If your primary residence is rented more than 45 days per year, it is no longer considered owner-occupied and does not qualify as the anchor for umbrella coverage, making the application ineligible. Even if you occasionally stay at a rental property when returning to the US, it cannot be listed as your primary residence unless it meets all qualifying criteria.
Ineligible Properties: Vacation or Short-Term Rentals
Monoline does not accept vacation homes or short-term rental properties as primary residences, regardless of ownership or personal use.
What does Monoline consider a vacation or short-term rental?
A vacation or short-term rental includes:
Vacation or seasonal homes: Beach houses, lake cabins, mountain properties, or ski condos that are used part of the year and may be rented occasionally
Homes primarily used for short-term rentals: Properties listed on platforms such as Airbnb, Vrbo, or similar services where rental income is a primary purpose
These properties are considered rental exposures rather than owner-occupied primary residences and are therefore not eligible as primary residences.
Can I add a secondary residence with limited rental exposure to my umbrella policy?
Yes. If you have a qualifying owner-occupied primary residence, you may add secondary residences to your umbrella policy.
For a secondary residence with limited short-term rental exposure to be rated as a secondary residence:
The property must be written on a homeowners policy (not as a rental dwelling, dwelling fire, or landlord policy)
The underlying policy must also cover the rental exposure. If the underlying policy contains an short term rental exclusion, the Monoline umbrella will follow form and also exclude that exposure.