Landlord Insurance
Insurance is an essential element of letting that provides financial protection for landlords renting a property to tenants.
In addition to protecting buildings and contents, landlord insurance policies can cover against non-payment of rent.
Landlord Insurance via the British landlords Association insurance broker offer tailored policies that generally may include the following: Landlord’s buildings insurance that will cover you against a range of potential disasters.
These could affect your rental property, such as fires, lightning, storms, floods and earthquakes, as well as an escape of water or oil, falling trees or branches and collision by vehicles.
Not all insurance policies are the same nor do they cover all the things that you might expect. Before you can decide which is the best insurance company to use, you need to know some of the things you should have covered in your insurance policy. We hope this blog helps and makes you aware of the best policy for your need.
Landlord Legal expenses cover
Landlords’ Legal Expenses insurance covers the legal cost of eviction of tenants following breaches of their tenancy agreement, for example, rent arrears, sub-letting, or intentionally causing damage to the let property.
Buy Rent cover
“Rent Guarantee” is different from “Loss of Rent” cover. Rent cover will cover you for rental income if the let property is uninhabitable due to an insured event for examples such as flood or fire.
Boiler & Heating
It gives the landlord and the tenants’ access to a 24-hour helpline. You contact the helpline in an emergency, and if this service is bought as a standalone product, it includes an optional Boiler and Heating Cover as standard.
Malicious damage by the tenant cover
A standard policy will usually cover against potential issues like fire and lightning trace and access (such as any damage done to locate a leak, like removing wallboards or floorboards to access plumbing) theft, malicious damage, and vandalism.
Legal liability for landlords
Liability cover generally includes legal liability as owner up to £5 million, occupier’s legal liability and worldwide personal liability up to £5 million, public liability up to £5 million and employer’s liability up to £10 million.
What does landlord insurance cover?
Landlord insurance covers the building; however, you can cover other risks like rent guarantee, employer’s liability, landlord liability.
Some landlord insurance policies will cover as standard some of the most essential elements of insurance that a landlord generally needs. Check the policy you take out to ensure if it is fit for your purpose.
Do you need landlord insurance?
If the landlord owns the property as a freehold, then it is optional. However, it is highly advisable to ensure your investment.
Do I have to have landlord insurance?
It is not a legal requirement, however, if you have a mortgage on the building. Then it is likely as part of the mortgage terms you will be required to insure the building.
What is landlord liability insurance?
This is public liability insurance for landlords. It can cover your legal and compensation fees if someone is injured or their possessions get damaged, and they blame your rental property.
How to get the right landlord insurance
Speak to the insurance broker who specialises in landlord insurance. Any broker who specialises in landlord insurance will be able to advise you as the various policies and areas of risk you ought to consider insuring against.
How do I make a claim on my landlord insurance policy?
Some good insurance brokers have in house claim departments who can assist you in the process of making a claim in the event of damage or loss.
Do I need contents insurance as a landlord?
You ought in case the tenant damages the carpets etc. or furniture if the property is let fully furnished.
Do I need landlord insurance if I live in the property?
If the building is let or a private dwelling, you should still insure it. If the property is going to be let you should check the terms of your mortgage.
What does a good landlord insurance policy look like?
The policies on our insurance broker list include many benefits as standard that are offered as optional extras by rivals. And the level of cover of these benefits is often higher than other insurers. The landlord insurance policy covers the following things as standard:
- malicious damage by tenants,
- loss or damage to buildings and content,
- loss of rent,
- unauthorised use of electricity/gas/water and white goods cover.
- Also, it provides £5m of property owners liability cover. In contrast, many other providers only offer £2m of cover.
Will standard home insurance cover my rental property?
No, if you are going to rent the property, you will need to make sure your insurance policy covers landlord cover.
Is landlord insurance tax deductible?
Yes, it is, so are the following things that you can claim that is all tax-deductible:
- insurance
- general property maintenance and repairs (not cosmetic improvements)
- Accountants fees
- water rates, council tax, gas, and electricity
- costs of services such as gardeners and cleaners
- letting agent fees and management fees
- ground rents and service charges
- costs of advertising for tenants etc.
How to get cheaper landlord insurance
You can join the British Landlords Association, membership is Free. Once you are a member, you can take out insurance and get 20% discount on your insurance. In addition, The BLA insurance broker will beat any existing quote too.
Can I get landlords insurance for multiple properties?
Yes, you can, and you ought to have one policy covering all the properties, this may make your premium much cheaper.
Will content insurance I take out cover my tenant’s contents too?
No, but it will cover all the furnishings you have supplied, such as sofas, beds, and kitchen appliances etc. Your tenants will have to take out an independent cover for their own goods.
Can I insure my property if it is undergoing building work?
Properties undergoing renovations or in a poor state of repair are considered high risk. As such, you may have a fewer number of insurers willing to insure the building.
What is the difference between buildings and contents insurance?
The difference is that buildings insurance covers the physical structure of property also walls, roof and floors. Contents insurance covers what is inside the property, including furniture and freestanding appliances.
We use an award-winning insurance broker to provide insurance products for our members that offer an excellent level of cover and a discount on your insurance premium. In addition, they guarantee to beat any existing insurance quote. For a free, no-obligation quote click here.
Source: British Landlord Association
Author: Simon Hampton simon@thebla.co.uk
Date: 29th of October 2020
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