I'm gonna cut to the chase. Tenants teen son slipped on a loose step on a deck about a month ago. Tenant called me and I went to the apartment. The teen was playing video games when I arrived and I asked him how he was and he said he was fine. I fixed the loose step and moved on. I was at the apartments again about a week ago and the teen was walking up to their unit. We chatted a little and I asked him how he was doing and he said fine. He wasn't limping and we had a pleasant conversation. Yesterday my tenant said he is taking his son in for an MRI on his knee. This is my tenant that has always been a PITA and now I'm pretty sure he's going to milk this for all its worth.

I've told my wife many times over the years that one day, that tenant is going to hurt himself on the property. I just had that feeling.

You can’t fix what you don’t know about. No maintenance request put it until after the fact I’m sure. If they mention any potential liability just say good thing you (the renter) have health insurance and move on

Sorry to hear about the potential claim.

Have only had one tenant try that. She claimed she fell into an open water meter pit. Her lawyer tried to get my insurance info and I refused to supply anything. My agent recommended that.

She ended up suing the city who turned it over to the company they contracted to read meters.

Last I read she settled out of court and the case was dismissed.

The problem of talking to your agent ,he/she will report it to the ins co. they will record it and often (and seems more often these days) They will use that as a mark against you,..for the next rate increase. They are paying a lot for fires, storms , tornadoes,floods etc and are trying t get that money back,

Re last post,..thats even if you don't elect to have the agant turn in a claim.

Does the tenant have renters insurance? Typically there is $1,000 to %5,000 in medical coverage. Additionally, your insurance has coverage.

Having an asset protection plan would have been critical the day before the mishap occurred.

People who advise not telling your agent when you know of a potential claim:

When any of my tenants gets injured, I request they be seen by their family doctor. Most tenants have no medical insurance. I pay the bills which usually amounts to NOTHING or a few bucks--like $600.

A lawsuit runs with legal fee's and settlement like $25,000. You chose which is the better choice.

Some questions for you:

1) What kind of insurance do you have and what are your limits?

2) Did the tenant have a renter's policy on this place?

3) Is this property mortgaged? Even if it just a LOC? Equity stripping works.

4) How is the property titled? Land trust serve multiple purposes and can be tailored if you believe your property is more at risk for getting sued (No mortgage for example)

Talk to your agent over what? That's a good way to get an insurance price increase. Until you've been served, you have no idea you're going to be sued. You're not a psychic. You can't tell if the tenant was bluffing. Besides, you were told on several occasions that there was NOT an injury. And when the step was reported, you fixed it.