Besides buildings and contents, what can landlord insurance cover?

Depending on the policy, landlord insurance can include accidental damage caused by tenants, malicious damage caused deliberately by tenants, loss of rent if the property cannot be lived in after an insured event or tenants do not pay, cover while the property is unoccupied, and employers' liability if you employ people to work on the property. Check the policy wording to see which extras are included and which cost more.

Why can't I just buy home insurance?

If you do not live in the property, a regular home insurance policy may not cover it. Standard home insurance is not designed for the risks landlords face, and it may not cover claims connected with tenants.

I own several properties. What are my options?

You can insure each property on its own policy, which lets you tailor the cover to each one, or ask about a portfolio policy that covers several properties together. Whether a multi-property policy is available depends on the insurer, so it is worth raising this with the broker who contacts you.

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Landlord insurance

What landlord insurance is, the difference between buildings, contents and combined cover, and the extras landlords often add to a policy.

Your rental properties are often your biggest investment. Landlord insurance is home insurance designed for property owners who let out their properties, covering the building, any furnishings you provide, and some of the risks that come with having tenants.

What landlord insurance is for

Landlord insurance is not a legal requirement, but going without it can leave you exposed if something goes wrong at one of your properties. Many mortgage lenders, including buy-to-let lenders, will also expect you to have buildings cover in place.

A landlord policy can cover your buildings and any furnishings you supply. It can also protect your rental income and cover your liability if a tenant or visitor is injured at the property and you are found to be at fault. If something does happen, the right cover helps you repair the property and get it let again.

What are the different levels of cover?

When you take out a landlord insurance policy, you will be asked which type of cover you want. There are three main levels.

Buildings

Buildings cover helps pay to repair or rebuild the structure of your property if it is damaged by an event you are insured for, such as fire, flood or storm. It can also cover outside structures connected to the property, such as garages and fences.

Contents cover helps pay to replace your belongings in the property if they are stolen, destroyed or damaged. For a landlord this usually means the furniture, carpets and appliances you provide for tenants, not the tenants' own possessions. It can be bought as a single policy.

Combined

Combined cover joins buildings and contents insurance in one policy. It helps cover you financially if your property or your belongings in it are damaged or destroyed, with the insurer paying for repairs or replacements in line with the policy terms.

Not sure which cover you need?

If you are unsure which level of cover suits your properties, you can fill in a short form and a specialist FCA-authorised broker from our panel will contact you to talk through your options and quotes. You can read more about how we work, see our home insurance page, or contact us with any questions.