For years, multifamily owners were told insurance only moves in one direction: up. In 2026, that is changing. Brokers are cutting property premiums by 10 to 30 percent for well-run buildings, and the reason is telling.
As Ron Kutas, CEO of OneWall Communities, describes it: “Insurers are starting to delineate between the good operators and the bad operators, and they’re starting to price it based on that.”
The catch is that softer pricing does not arrive automatically. It goes to owners who can prove they have earned it. Kutas is blunt that owners should never simply accept a quote.
He offers a striking example: OneWall was once quoted a higher premium because of a shooting the carrier believed had happened on the property. “We looked into it, and lo and behold, they saw a news article that misquoted the location. Here’s the police report.
It had nothing to do with this property.” The carrier adjusted once given the data. “If we don’t know what they’re underwriting, it’s hard for us to have that conversation.”
The deeper advantage is operational. OneWall Communities runs a disciplined claims process, investigating incidents before ever filing. “We’re not filing a claim and then letting our insurance fight the fight for us,” Kutas says.
“We’re first determining that it’s a legit claim.” Proactive, in-unit inspections matter too. Kutas points to a neighboring property that lost its fire certificate after relying on residents to report missing smoke detectors, sending its insurance costs soaring. Because OneWall inspects every unit routinely, carriers see a lower risk profile.
His advice for the walkthrough with an inspector captures the whole philosophy: “Be proud of your work. It usually translates into savings.” For owners of Class B multifamily assets, insurance has become a property management problem, not just a finance line item.
Property management is complex, and the best solutions come from shared incentives. Whether you’re exploring new approaches or facing specific challenges, we’re here to talk. Visit us at onewallcommunities.com or call us at (646) 596-7068.