What is Trella Insurance?

Trella Insurance is an independent insurance brokerage based in Bellevue, Washington. We serve high-asset households and real estate investors by conducting comprehensive risk reviews and designing personal lines coverage — home, auto, umbrella, and rental property.

How does an independent insurance broker differ from a captive agent?

A captive agent works for one insurance company and can only offer that company's products. An independent broker like Trella Insurance works with multiple carriers and shops the market on your behalf to find coverage that fits your actual situation — not just what one insurer sells.

What does a risk review cost?

Trella Insurance's initial risk review is complimentary. There is no charge for us to audit your current policies, identify coverage gaps or redundancies, and present our findings.

What types of insurance does Trella Insurance offer?

Trella Insurance offers personal lines insurance (home, dwelling, contents, liability, loss of use), auto insurance for daily drivers and collector vehicles, umbrella liability policies, and landlord coverage for rental properties.

What is an umbrella insurance policy and how much do I need?

An umbrella policy provides liability coverage beyond the limits of your home, auto, or commercial policies — it activates when a claim exceeds your underlying policy limit. Most high-asset households and property owners need significantly more umbrella coverage than a standard $1 million policy provides, especially if they own rental properties or operate a business.

Does Trella Insurance work with business owners?

Yes. Business owners often have more complex personal insurance needs — higher-value homes, rental properties, and greater liability exposure. Trella focuses on personal lines: home, umbrella, auto, and rental property. Commercial lines are coming soon.

What areas does Trella Insurance serve?

Trella Insurance is based in Bellevue, WA and licensed in Washington, WAOIC #1356476. We are expanding state licensing to serve clients nationally.

How does Trella Insurance get paid?

Like most independent brokers, Trella Insurance is compensated through commissions paid by the insurance carriers when a policy is placed. The initial risk review and brokerage service carry no direct fee to clients.

What is replacement cost coverage and why does it matter?

Replacement cost coverage pays to rebuild or replace your property at current construction costs, regardless of depreciation. Actual cash value coverage — common in standard policies — pays only the depreciated value, which is often far less than what it actually costs to rebuild. Many homeowners discover this gap only after a significant loss.

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Home InsuranceApril 13, 2025

"Landlord vs Homeowners Insurance: Know the Difference"

Landlord and homeowners insurance both protect a dwelling — but they're built for different situations, and using the wrong one can mean a denied claim.

The core difference

Homeowners insurance is for a home you live in. It covers the structure, your personal belongings, your liability, and additional living expenses if you're displaced.
Landlord insurance is for a property you rent to others. It covers the structure and your liability as the owner, plus loss of rents — but not the tenant's belongings, and not personal contents you don't keep there.

Why you can't just keep your homeowners policy

When you move out and rent a home, it's no longer owner-occupied. A homeowners policy may not respond to a tenant-related claim, and the insurer can deny coverage or non-renew once they learn it's a rental. Switching to a landlord policy keeps you properly covered.

Quick comparison

| | Homeowners | Landlord | |---|---|---| | Occupant | You | Tenant | | Your belongings | Covered | Not (only items you keep there) | | Tenant belongings | — | Not (their renters policy) | | Loss of rent | — | Covered | | Liability | Yours | Yours as owner |

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between landlord and homeowners insurance? Homeowners covers a home you live in (including your belongings); landlord covers a property you rent out (structure, your liability, lost rent) but not the tenant's belongings.

Can I keep homeowners insurance on a rental property? No — once it's tenant-occupied, a homeowners policy may not cover claims and the insurer may non-renew. Switch to landlord coverage.

Who covers the tenant's belongings? The tenant, through their own renters insurance. Your landlord policy doesn't.

More in this series: Insuring a Rental Held in an LLC · Insuring a Portfolio of Rental Properties

Rental and landlord coverage overlaps with personal liability and location risk, so also read The Underlying Limits Your Umbrella Requires and Home Insurance in Bothell and Canyon Park.

Trella Insurance is an independent brokerage in Bellevue, WA. Request a free review or try the coverage gap calculator.

← PreviousInsuring a Rental Property Held in an LLC Next →Short-Term Rental Insurance in Washington

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