As a landlord, it’s essential to ensure your valuable properties are protected. Landlord insurance is specifically designed to cover the unique risks associated with owning and letting out a property. Here, we’ll explain what landlord insurance is, what it covers, how to compare the best options, and where to get the cheapest cover.
What is landlord insurance?
It’s an insurance policy designed for property owners who let out their property. It typically combines several types of protection and differs from standard home insurance (which assumes the owner lives there), as tenants present different risks (such as liability claims, malicious damage, and loss of rent).
What does it cover?
What your landlord insurance covers depends on the policy you choose. Common inclusions are:
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Building cover: Damage to the physical structure of the property: walls, roof, windows, foundations, and permanent fixtures.
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Contents for landlords: Items you supply as part of the tenancy, which could be things such as carpets, curtains, furniture, or appliances.
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Loss of rent: If the property becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event (fire, flood, or storm), this cover helps you recoup rent while repairs are made.
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Legal expenses: Costs arising from pursuing eviction, defending liability claims brought by tenants or visitors, or dealing with disputes.
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Public liability: If someone is injured or property is damaged due to something within your responsibility (maintenance, unsafe structures, etc.).
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Optional extras: These may include rent guarantees (in case the tenant stops paying rent), malicious damage (intentional tenant damage), accidental damage, temporary accommodation costs for tenants, and additional cover (depending on the insurer).
Best landlord insurance providers
Not all insurers offer the same level of protection for landlords, and policy features can vary. The best landlord insurance to use will depend on your needs, but here are some of the most popular UK providers and what they offer in their landlord policies:
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Landlord insurance policy |
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Direct Line’s landlord insurance includes legal and regulatory support, such as a 24/7 legal advice helpline via ARAG. You can insure up to 15 residential properties under one policy, and they also offer a 25% discount when you add a second residential property. |
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Simply Business lets landlords build flexible policies. You can combine buildings and contents, loss of rent, liability, tenant default, accidental damage, and more. Premiums start from just £13.61 per month. |
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Admiral’s landlord insurance typically includes unlimited buildings sum insured, so there’s no cap on rebuild costs. Policies also provide up to £2 million property owner’s liability cover. The three levels of cover are: Admiral, Admiral Gold, and Admiral Platinum - offering varying levels of benefits (Platinum combined cover has a 5-star Defaqto rating). |
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Aviva’s landlord insurance offers an unlimited total sum insured (unless the property is a listed building with 5 or more bedrooms, or is of non-standard construction). Policies offer helpful benefits, such as covering up to £5,000 to find and fix a leak if there’s water damage to your property. |
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AXA provides landlord insurance for residential buy-to-let and commercial properties. You can cover up to 10 properties. Policies include cover to re-house tenants in alternative accommodation if needed, as well as damage to cables or underground pipes. |
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LV (Liverpool Victoria) |
With LV’s landlord insurance, you can protect your building against fire, storm, flood and subsidence up to £1 million. Your legal liability as a landlord is covered up to £5 million, and LV also offers up to £5,000 to find and fix any water leaks. |
Compare landlord insurance quotes online
Average landlord insurance costs don’t tell you much because policies vary wildly based on the property. Finding the right landlord insurance policy can be challenging because cover levels, terms, and optional extras vary significantly between insurers. Also, some providers only insure certain types of properties.
A quick conversation with a specialist adviser is the easiest way to make sure you get the right level of protection for your properties. Whether you’re insuring a single rental flat, a student HMO, or a portfolio of multiple buy-to-lets, our advisers can help you compare tailored landlord insurance quotes in minutes.
If you’d like a free, no-obligation chat with a landlord insurance specialist, you can get started here:
Get bespoke landlord insurance quotes
Tips for getting the cheapest UK landlord insurance
Landlord insurance premiums can vary quite a lot, but the good news is that there are plenty of ways to keep costs down. Here are some practical tips to help you get cheap landlord insurance:
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Shop around: Different providers specialise in various landlord profiles. Some are cheaper for single buy-to-lets, while others are more competitive for HMOs or portfolio landlords. Always compare a range of relevant landlord insurance quotes.
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Use a specialist adviser: Some insurers won’t offer their best rates directly or online. A broker or specialist adviser can access deals that aren’t always advertised and help tailor cover to your circumstances and ownership needs.
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Bundle multiple properties: If you own more than one rental property, consider insuring them under a single portfolio policy. Many insurers offer multi-property discounts, saving you both time and money.
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Choose a higher excess: Opting for a higher excess can reduce your monthly or annual premium. Just make sure the excess is still affordable in the event you need to make a claim.
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Limit unnecessary add-ons: Extras like rent guarantees or accidental damage cover can be useful, but they also raise the price. Tailor your policy so you’re not paying for cover you don’t realistically need.
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Secure your property: Insurers may offer lower premiums if your property has adequate safety measures, such as quality locks, burglar alarms, or secure entry systems for flats.
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Pay annually: Spreading payments out monthly may be more convenient, but insurers often add interest. Paying annually in one go can reduce the total cost of your landlord insurance.
Why choose Teito to help with your landlord insurance?
Finding the right landlord insurance policy can be overwhelming, especially with a range of insurers offering varying levels of cover, exclusions, and optional extras.
Choosing poorly could leave you underinsured or paying more than you need. Our expert advisers work with both mainstream and specialist insurers, ensuring you get a policy tailored to your property, tenant type, and budget.
Here’s why landlords across the UK trust us to find them the best landlord insurance policy:
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We specialise in tailored landlord insurance policies
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Our advisers are 5-star rated on leading review platforms
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Access to exclusive deals not available with online comparisons
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Free initial chat, with no obligation to proceed
Ready for a free, no-obligation chat with a landlord insurance specialist? You can get started here.
FAQs
Yes, landlord insurance is available for flats and houses. Policies can be tailored to cover risks specific to flats, such as communal areas, leasehold obligations, or tenants in shared accommodation. However, not all insurers cover all property types.