Back to Delaware

HB467 • 2025

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO RENTERS INSURANCE.

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO RENTERS INSURANCE.

Housing
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Harris
Last action
2026-06-18
Official status
Senate Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology 6/18/26
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not define what 'Renters Insurance' covers, so specific details like protecting belongings or liability were removed.

HB467: Rules for Renters Insurance in Delaware

This bill stops landlords from forcing tenants to buy renter's insurance from a specific company, as long as the tenant has a policy that meets the lease requirements.

What This Bill Does

  • Stops landlords from requiring tenants to use a specific insurance company or provider linked to the landlord.
  • Allows landlords to require tenants to have renters insurance with certain coverage levels in their rental agreement.
  • States that any Delaware-authorized insurer can provide the required policy if it meets the lease terms.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Landlords who rent out property in Delaware
  • Tenants living in rental properties with insurance requirements

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not say when it will officially become law or take effect.
  • The text only covers renters insurance and does not mention other types of property coverage.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HA 1

1 • Harris

Passed 6/18/26

Plain English: This amendment allows landlords in Delaware to buy renters insurance for tenants who fail to get their own, but only through a specific provider chosen by the landlord and only until the tenant gets coverage.

  • Landlords can now start an insurance policy from a company they choose or that is connected to them if a tenant does not have required renters insurance.
  • This power for landlords lasts only as long as the tenant fails to get or keep their own insurance.
  • The amendment text does not explain how much this landlord-bought insurance will cost the tenant.
  • It is unclear if tenants can choose a different provider once they decide to buy their own policy after being covered by the landlord's plan.

Bill History

  1. 2026-06-18 Delaware General Assembly

    Amendment HA 1 to HB 467 - Passed In House by Voice Vote

  2. 2026-06-18 Delaware General Assembly

    Passed By House. Votes: 39 YES 2 ABSENT

  3. 2026-06-18 Delaware General Assembly

    Assigned to Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology Committee in Senate

  4. 2026-06-17 Delaware General Assembly

    Amendment HA 1 to HB 467 - Introduced and Placed With Bill

  5. 2026-06-16 Delaware General Assembly

    Reported Out of Committee (Housing) in House with 3 Favorable, 6 On Its Merits

  6. 2026-06-09 Delaware General Assembly

    Introduced and Assigned to Housing Committee in House

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO RENTERS INSURANCE.
This Act provides that a landlord may not require a tenant to use a particular renters insurance company as long as the tenant maintains renters insurance according to the terms of the rental agreement.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Harris & Sen. Buckson

Rep. Lambert

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 467

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO RENTERS INSURANCE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 53, Title 25 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 5318. Renters insurance.

(a) A landlord may not require a tenant to obtain renters insurance from a specific insurer or through a specific provider designated or affiliated with the landlord.

(b) A landlord may require, as a condition of the rental agreement, that the tenant maintain renters insurance meeting specified coverage requirements set forth in the rental agreement.

(c) A tenant who maintains coverage through any insurer authorized to do business in Delaware, and whose policy meets the coverage requirements of the lease, is deemed to have complied with any insurance requirement in the rental agreement.

SYNOPSIS

This Act provides that a landlord may not require a tenant to use a particular renters insurance company as long as the tenant maintains renters insurance according to the terms of the rental agreement.