Landlord insurance that protects your properties
Landlord insurance from a panel of trusted UK insurers
A new way to insure as a landlord
Landlord insurance is designed to protect you from the unexpected, covering everything from the building and its contents to tenant-related issues such as missed rent payments. With the right policy in place, you can have confidence that your investment is safeguarded, giving you peace of mind if the unexpected occurs.
In partnership with some of the leading UK insurers, we’ll not only get you a better landlord insurance deal with the best cover available, we work hard to keep you as a customer year after year.
We compare the market for the best deal so you don’t have to.
24/7 claims service
We’re here for you round the clock when you need us most.
Fairer prices for all
We only provide cover for responsible landlords, so you’ll get a better deal.
World-class support
You’ll get your own UK-based human to look after you for the duration of your policy.
We use a combination of technology and a wealth of experience to give you unrivalled cover and more affordable landlord insurance prices.
With over 50 years of experience providing top-quality insurance for landlords, you can be sure we’ve got you covered.
What is landlord insurance?
Landlord insurance is a specialised insurance policy designed for property owners who rent out their properties. Unlike standard home insurance, which covers owner-occupied homes, it is tailored to the specific risks landlords face.
It protects against financial risks such as property damage, loss of rental income, and liability for injuries on the property.
Investing in rental property can be profitable, but it also comes with risks that standard home insurance may not cover. Here’s why landlord insurance is important:
- Emergency cover: Offers assistance for urgent situations like a boiler breakdown.
- Building insurance: Protects the structure of your property against risks like fire and floods.
- Landlord liability insurance: Covers you if a tenant or visitor is injured on your property and you’re held liable.
- Rent guarantee insurance: Compensates for loss of rent if the tenant fails to pay or the property is uninhabitable.
- Contents insurance: Covers items like furniture and appliances provided to tenants.
- Accidental damage cover: Protects against accidental damage caused by tenants.
For more details on cover, read our What does landlord insurance cover blog.
When choosing a policy, make sure you assess your needs first. Determine the level of cover you need, such as building insurance, contents insurance, or loss of rent cover. Also consider optional extras, weighing up the benefits of additional cover like accidental damage or legal expenses.
Quality landlord cover for whatever you need
Landlord insurance is essential for anyone who owns property. For different types of property, there can be different policies including, but not limited to:
HMO insurance
HMO insurance is for landlords of Houses in Multiple Occupation, covering higher risks from multiple tenants that standard policies don’t.
Unoccupied property insurance
Unoccupied property insurance covers your home when left empty beyond the 30–60 days allowed by standard policies.
Property owners liability insurance
Property owners liability insurance protects landlords from risks that standard home insurance doesn’t cover.
What does landlord insurance cover?
Damage to your property
Covers damage from events like fire, storms, and vandalism. It may also include accidental damage by tenants.
Uninhabitable property
If your property becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event, it can cover the lost rent, helping maintain your cash flow.
If your things get stolen
Cover if your property is furnished, this insurance can cover damage or theft to your furnishings and appliances.
Legal expenses
Some policies include cover for legal costs, such as
eviction proceedings or recovering unpaid rent.
If a visitor is injured
If a tenant or visitor is injured on your property and you’re
found liable, it can cover legal fees and compensation costs.
* Subject to your chosen level of policy cover and the prevailing policy excess.
How much does landlord insurance cost?
The cost of landlord insurance varies widely depending on several factors. Here’s what typically influences the premium:
Level of cover
The amount and type of cover you choose will affect the cost. A basic policy might cover just building insurance. A more comprehensive one may include contents and loss of rent.
Value of the property
The value of your property and the cost to rebuild it will impact cost. Higher property values generally lead to higher premiums as they represent more financial risk.
Property location
The type and location can impact premiums. A low-crime area will cost less than one with higher crime rates. Properties located in areas prone to flooding can also attract higher costs.
Property security
Properties with better security measures such as alarms, CCTV, and secure locks can benefit from lower premiums as they are deemed less likely to be targeted by criminals.
Tenant type
Students and DSS tenants are often considered higher risk by insurers, which can lead to higher premiums. On the other hand, professionals or families may attract lower premiums.
Your claims history
If you’ve made claims in the past, insurers may consider you a higher risk, which could increase your premium. A clean claims history might result in lower costs.
How to reduce your landlord insurance premium
Beyond the factors above, there are several practical steps that can help lower your landlord insurance costs.
- Vet your tenants thoroughly — Thorough tenant referencing — credit checks, employment verification, previous landlord references — reduces the risk of rent arrears, damage, and void periods. Insurers view well-managed tenancies as lower risk.
- Maintain the property proactively — Regular property inspections and prompt maintenance reduce the likelihood of escape of water, subsidence, and other common claims. A well-maintained property signals lower risk at underwriting.
- Install security measures — Five-lever mortise locks, window locks, smoke detectors, and intruder alarms all reduce your risk profile and can attract premium discounts. Some insurers require minimum security standards as a policy condition.
- Consider a portfolio policy — If you own multiple properties, insuring them under a single portfolio landlord policy is almost always more cost-effective than individual policies for each property. Portfolio policies also simplify renewals and claims management.
- Choose the right rebuild value — Your buildings insurance premium is based on the declared rebuild cost, not the market value. Having an accurate reinstatement valuation — neither over nor understated — ensures you’re not paying for unnecessary cover. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) provides guidance on rebuild cost assessments.
- Pay annually — Monthly payments include finance interest. Paying your full annual premium upfront avoids that additional cost.
Landlord insurance frequently asked questions
Is landlord insurance a legal requirement?
Landlord insurance isn't a legal requirement in the UK, but it's strongly advisable — and in many cases your mortgage lender will require it as a condition of your buy-to-let mortgage. Standard home insurance won't cover the specific risks of renting out a property, so without it you could be left significantly out of pocket if something goes wrong.
What's the difference between landlord insurance and home insurance?
Home insurance is designed for properties you live in yourself. Landlord insurance is specifically designed for properties you rent out to tenants, covering additional risks such as malicious damage by tenants, loss of rental income, and property owners' liability. Using a standard home insurance policy on a rental property could invalidate any claim you make.
Can I cover multiple properties?
Yes — whether you own a single property or a large portfolio, we can arrange comprehensive cover for all of them under one policy with a single renewal date. This simplifies your administration and can be more cost-effective than insuring each property separately.
What if my property is unoccupied?
The cover available depends on how long the property will be empty and whether you're undertaking refurbishment works. Short-term vacancies between tenancies are typically covered as standard, while longer-term unoccupied properties may need a specialist policy. We also offer dedicated unoccupied property insurance if needed.
Can I get cover for loss of rent?
Yes — we can include rent guarantee cover or tenant default cover as an optional extra. The two are often confused but work differently: tenant default cover pays you rent owed if you begin eviction proceedings, while rent guarantee cover is broader and can include periods of vacancy. Our team can explain which is right for your situation.
What is accidental damage cover?
A standard landlord policy covers against the main perils such as fire, flood, and storm damage. Accidental damage cover extends this to include spillages, breakages, or unintentional damage caused by you, a tenant, or a visitor — such as a carpet ruined by a spilled drink or a broken window. It's well worth adding, particularly for furnished properties.
What is property owners' liability insurance?
Property owners' liability insurance protects you if a tenant or visitor is injured at your property and holds you responsible. Legal fees and compensation costs in these cases can be substantial — so this cover is included as standard in most of our landlord policies.
What does landlord insurance cost?
The cost depends on the level of cover you choose, your property type, location, and tenants. Policies start from £14 a month for basic buildings and liability cover — most landlords pay more depending on their specific needs. The best way to find out is to request a quick quote online, which takes less than two minutes.
Why can I trust insurd?
We've been arranging insurance for over 50 years — now trading as insurd — and we're authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Register Number: 308508), and over a thousand real customers have shared their experiences with us on Trustpilot.
You can verify our status directly on the FCA register.
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