The leasing office says yes, then you get the guarantor quote from Insurent. On a $3,000 apartment that number could land anywhere from $2,000 to $3,300, and you find out after you've already fallen in love with the apartment.
Insurent has been around since 2008 and is accepted in a lot of NYC buildings, so odds are you'll run into their service. This post covers what Insurent charges, who pays more, what the fee does and doesn't include, and what to check before you hand over the money.
How much does Insurent cost?
Insurent prices by profile, not by a flat rate. According to Insurent's own site, U.S. renters pay roughly 70% to 90% of one month's rent for a one-year lease guaranty. International renters without a U.S. credit score or US income history pay more, typically 98% to 110% of one month's rent.
Some quick math at common NYC rents:
- $2,500 apartment: about $1,750 to $2,250 for U.S. renters, $2,450 to $2,750 without U.S. credit
- $3,000 apartment: about $2,100 to $2,700 for U.S. renters, $2,940 to $3,300 without U.S. credit
- $4,000 apartment: about $2,800 to $3,600 for U.S. renters, $3,920 to $4,400 without U.S. credit
That's on top of first month's rent and a security deposit. Total move-in on a $3,000 place with Insurent runs close to $8,100 to $9,300.
One thing worth knowing: the spread between a U.S. renter and an international one is bigger with Insurent than with most guarantors. If you're moving from abroad, that gap is real money.
Based on this Reddit thread, “Do people still use The Guarantors and Insurent?” a user wrote:
- “Back in 2020, Insurent charged charged me 75% of one month of rent. I actually had a friend who looked into them last year to get a quote and he told me the fee was around 70%-90% (for 1 month of rent) for a 12-month lease and more expensive for foreigners. Percentage is probably based on your financial credit.”
Related: Cheapest Rent Guarantor in NYC (2026): How to Find the Lowest Price
Is the Insurent fee a one-time payment?
Yes. You pay once, up front, and the guaranty covers the full lease term. It's not a monthly charge and it does not get credited toward rent.
A few things that trip people up:
- Renewal means a new fee. When your lease renews, you pay again. Insurent may quote a lower rate for renewals, but don't assume that. Ask before you sign the first lease.
- Longer lease, bigger check. A two-year lease costs roughly twice the one-year fee in absolute dollars. Some renters take a two-year lease for the rent stability, then get surprised by the guaranty cost.
- It's tied to the apartment. If the lease falls through before signing, the fee is generally refundable. Once the guaranty is issued, it isn't.
What Insurent requires to qualify
This is where Insurent differs from a standard landlord screen. Instead of the 40x income rule most NYC owners use, Insurent asks for annual income of at least 27.5x the monthly rent. On a $3,000 apartment that's $82,500 a year.
If you don't hit that, there are two other paths:
- Assets instead of income. Cash or publicly traded securities of at least 50x the monthly rent ($150,000 on a $3,000 apartment).
- A "Responsible Party." A family member, here or abroad, who earns about 50x the rent or holds about 80x in liquid assets. This is how many international students qualify.
Insurent also wants decent U.S. credit for domestic applicants, generally around 630 or better. International renters don't need U.S. credit but do need to clear the income or asset test.
Honestly, 27.5x still leaves a lot of people out. A recent grad earning $65,000 wants a $2,800 studio. That's 23x. Insurent says no unless a parent steps in. Which is the exact situation a guarantor is supposed to solve.
If you're checking whether you'd clear the bar, start with our guide to NYC guarantor requirements.
What the fee covers
An Insurent guaranty covers the landlord, not you. If you stop paying rent, Insurent pays the landlord and then comes after you for the money. Coverage under a lease guaranty bond can include unpaid rent for the lease term. Read the guaranty letter for the specifics on your building, since terms vary.
The fee buys you access to the apartment. It's not renters insurance and it doesn't replace your security deposit.
Why Insurent's price landed where it did
Insurent was the first institutional guarantor in NYC and built its footprint in large, professionally managed buildings. In 2024 it was acquired by MRI Software, a property management software company based in Ohio. That gives it wide acceptance in buildings already running MRI. It also means Insurent is now a product line inside a large software company, and renters have reported slower response times since the acquisition.
None of that changes the math on your fee. It does mean you should not assume the first guarantor a leasing office mentions is the only one they'll take.
What to check before you pay
Get a second quote. Guarantors price the same renter differently. Start by checking what TheGuarantors charges the same renter. A five-minute application elsewhere can move the number by hundreds of dollars.
Ask the building what else it accepts. Most landlords will onboard a new guarantor if you ask. It usually takes a couple of emails. Leasing agents default to whichever name they know, not whichever is cheapest for you.
Confirm the turnaround. In a tight market the apartment goes to whoever gets paperwork in first. Ask how many business days from application to guaranty letter, and get the answer in writing.
Know what triggers the renewal fee. If you plan to stay more than a year, the second-year cost matters as much as the first.
How PandaGuarantee compares
PandaGuarantee charges roughly 30% to 90% of one month's rent depending on your profile, and most renters land near the bottom of that range. The income threshold is 20x monthly rent (that $65,000 grad on the $2,800 studio qualifies) and the credit minimum is 500. Approvals come back in minutes. Landlords pay nothing.
For a side-by-side of every major NYC guarantor, see our best rent guarantor in NYC guide.
The tradeoff: Insurent has been in more buildings for longer. If your building only accepts Insurent and won't add another guarantor, Insurent is your option. Most buildings will add one if a tenant asks.
The short version
Insurent charges about 70% to 90% of one month's rent for U.S. renters and 98% to 110% for renters without U.S. credit. It's a one-time fee for the lease term, and you pay again at renewal. You need 27.5x the monthly rent in income, 50x in assets, or a family member who can vouch. Before you accept the quote, ask your building what else it takes and run a second application.
If you're weighing other options, here's our rundown of Insurent alternatives in NYC.
Not sure whether you'd qualify? Apply with PandaGuarantee and you'll know in minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Insurent cost for a one-year lease? About 70% to 90% of one month's rent for U.S. renters. Renters without U.S. credit history pay roughly 98% to 110%.
Do I have to pay Insurent every year? Yes. The fee covers one lease term. Renewing the lease means paying a new guaranty fee.
What income do I need to qualify for Insurent? Annual income of at least 27.5x the monthly rent, or liquid assets of at least 50x the monthly rent, or a Responsible Party who meets a higher bar.
Is the Insurent fee refundable? Generally yes if the lease falls through before the guaranty is issued. Once issued, no.
Is Insurent cheaper than other guarantors? It depends on your profile. Some guarantors, including PandaGuarantee, quote lower fees and accept lower income for the same renter. Get more than one quote.