Pennsylvania has roughly ~1.5 million renter-occupied units. Average DP-3 landlord premium runs $1,380/yr — about 25–30% above a comparable homeowners policy due to higher liability and vacancy risk. Market profile: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh anchor large rental markets; Pocono Mountains is a major STR destination; Penn State drives college town demand. Short-term rental climate: Poconos Mountains region is one of the Mid-Atlantic's premier STR markets; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have STR registration requirements.
Avg DP-3 Premium
$1,380/yr
Annual landlord/rental cost
Rental Units
~1.5 million renter-occupied units
Renter-occupied housing
STR Climate
Poconos Mountains region is one of the Mid-Atlantic's premier STR markets; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have STR registration requirements
Poconos Mountains region is one of the Mid-Atlantic's premier STR markets; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have STR registration requirements
| Topic | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Market profile | Philadelphia and Pittsburgh anchor large rental markets; Pocono Mountains is a major STR destination; Penn State drives college town demand | Drives coverage form selection |
| Top landlord carriers | State Farm, Erie Insurance, Travelers, Allstate, Nationwide | Specialized DP-3 underwriting |
| Short-term rental environment | Poconos Mountains region is one of the Mid-Atlantic's premier STR markets; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have STR registration requirements | Airbnb-specific coverage needed |
| Notable state law | Pennsylvania's landlord-tenant act has a 10-day notice requirement; Philadelphia has a specific Landlord Licensing program; no statewide rent control but Philadelphia has considered it | Affects landlord obligations & coverage |
DP-3 (Dwelling Fire) is the standard landlord policy form, covering the structure on an open-perils basis. Landlords also need liability coverage (often $300K–$1M) and Loss of Rents (typically 12 months). Standard homeowners policies do NOT cover rental properties.
Pennsylvania's rental market is split between two major urban anchors — Philadelphia (the nation's sixth-largest city) in the east and Pittsburgh in the west — with significant secondary markets in Allentown, Harrisburg, Scranton, and the Penn State corridor. Philadelphia's rental market is one of the East Coast's most active and complex, with a mix of multi-family row houses, new apartment construction, and large single-family rental portfolios in neighborhoods undergoing gentrification. Philadelphia requires landlord licensing and has been actively debating rent control. Pittsburgh's market has been reshaped by the healthcare and technology sectors replacing its steel-industry employment base. The Pocono Mountains — Monroe, Pike, and Wayne counties — are one of the largest STR markets in the Mid-Atlantic.
Pennsylvania landlords should select DP-3 coverage and be attentive to winter weather risk across the state — nor'easters, ice storms, and severe cold are frequent claims drivers. Philadelphia landlords must comply with the city's landlord licensing requirements and should carry $500,000 in liability coverage given the active tenant advocacy environment. Erie Insurance — headquartered in Erie, PA — is among the most competitive and landlord-familiar carriers in the state. Pocono Mountains vacation rental operators need dedicated vacation rental policies covering transient occupancy, high seasonal traffic, and winter sports liability. Pittsburgh landlords in neighborhoods like Lawrenceville or East Liberty should ensure replacement cost coverage reflects the significant gentrification-driven appreciation in those areas.
A DP-3 dwelling fire policy is the standard landlord form. Unlike an HO-3, it covers the building structure and landlord-owned contents (appliances, lawn equipment) — not the tenant's personal belongings. Tenants must carry their own renters insurance. DP-3 also includes loss of rents coverage (typically 12 months) if a covered loss makes the unit uninhabitable.
Standard DP-3 policies often exclude or limit short-term rental (Airbnb/VRBO) use. Most landlord carriers either require an endorsement, a separate STR policy, or a commercial dwelling policy. Airbnb's "AirCover" host protection is NOT a substitute for your own policy — it has many exclusions and lower limits.
Pennsylvania's landlord-tenant act has a 10-day notice requirement; Philadelphia has a specific Landlord Licensing program; no statewide rent control but Philadelphia has considered it
💡 Pennsylvania Pro Tip
Pennsylvania landlords typically pay $1,100–$1,800/year for DP-3 coverage. Philadelphia single-family and row house rentals average $1,300–$2,000 depending on neighborhood. Pittsburgh area properties run $1,050–$1,600. Pocono Mountains vacation rental properties with STR coverage and high seasonal occupancy run $1,500–$2,800 for a well-equipped vacation home.
No — standard landlord policies exclude transient-occupancy rentals. Pocono Mountains STR operators need dedicated vacation rental policies — this is one of the busiest STR markets in the Mid-Atlantic. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh STR hosts must register with their respective cities and secure commercial or STR endorsements.
Pennsylvania has no state law requiring landlord insurance, but Philadelphia's landlord licensing program interacts with insurance requirements in a practical sense. Mortgage lenders require coverage. Erie Insurance's competitive Pennsylvania landlord rates and deep market knowledge make it a top choice for PA landlords.
Rental unit counts from US Census American Community Survey; premium averages from 2026 carrier rate filings for Pennsylvania. Verify your specific property's coverage with a licensed agent.
Sarah Mitchell
Editorial Lead, Property & Casualty
This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.
Reviewed May 2026
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