Landlord contents insurance

Accidental damage or loss

What does this cover?

Any damage caused to your landlord contents that’s considered accidental, or loss contents which aren’t fitted into the property, like sofas, tables, and lamps

When would I need to make a claim?

• for example, your new tenant’s toddler accidentally knocks a lamp off the hallway table onto the wooden floor, causing it to break

What isn’t covered?

• old contents left at the property but not intended for the current tenants’ use, like personal possessions wear and tear, maintenance, product defects, faulty workmanship
• contents left in properties which are empty or vacant for 30 days (or more, depending on your insurer) – you’ll usually need specific unoccupied property insurance for these

You’ll usually need to select ‘accidental damage cover’ when buying your landlord insurance policy, for your contents to get this protection. Some insurers cover it as standard, but check your policy wording carefully before you buy.

Fire

What does this cover?

damage to your landlord contents caused by a fire contents which aren’t fitted into the property, like sofas, tables, and lamps

When would I need to make a claim?

• for example, a fire caused by an oven spreads across the flat you’re renting out, destroying your new living room furniture

What isn’t covered?

• old contents left at the property but not intended for the current tenants’ use, like personal possessions
• malicious fire damage, in some cases (this will depend on your specific insurer)
• fire caused by rioting

Flood

What does this cover?

• damage to your landlord contents caused by a flood
• contents which aren’t fitted into the property, like sofas, tables, and lamps

When would I need to make a claim?

• for example, heavy rain causes severe flooding in your property’s kitchen and living spaces, damaging an expensive kitchen table and new sofa

What isn’t covered?

• old contents left at the property but not intended for the current tenants’ use, like personal possessions
• flooding caused by fluctuations in the water table and other gradually occurring incidents over time
• frost damage
• contents left in properties which are empty or vacant for 30 days (or more, depending on your insurer) – you’ll usually need specific unoccupied property insurance for these

Malicious damage

You might claim for this if someone intentionally damages your contents

How much cover will I get?

We provide cover from £2,500 to £10,000 for each malicious damage claim, depending on which insurer you choose.

For example:

• a brick is thrown through your property’s window, damaging the TV you’ve supplied, and a lamp

What isn’t covered?

• old contents left at the property but not intended for the current tenants’ use, like personal possessions
• contents left in empty or vacant properties – you’ll usually need specific unoccupied property insurance for these
• malicious damage by tenants isn’t covered by all insurers

Always check your policy wording carefully before you buy, to make sure you have the right cover for your property.

Storm

What does this cover?

• damage to your landlord contents caused by a storm
• contents which aren’t fitted into the property, like sofas, tables, and lamps

For example:

• a lightning storm causes an overcharge, damaging some electrical contents inside your property

What isn’t covered?

• old contents left at the property but not intended for the current tenants’ use, like personal possessions
• contents left in empty or vacant properties – you’ll usually need specific unoccupied property insurance for these
• flooding caused by fluctuations in the water table and other gradually occurring incidents over time
• frost damage

Subsidence, ground heave, or landslip

What does this cover?

• structural damage caused by soil expansion beneath the property
• contents which aren’t fitted into the property, like sofas, tables, and lamps

When would I need to make a claim?

• for example, heavy rain over the Christmas holiday causes a ground heave, damaging lamps, furniture, and electrical items you’ve supplied for your tenants

What isn’t covered?

• old contents left at the property but not intended for the current tenants’ use, like personal possessions
• incidents which began before your policy’s start date
• coastal or river erosion and other specific exclusions, for some insurers

Theft

What does this cover?

• landlord contents which are stolen from your property
• contents which aren’t fitted into the property, like sofas, tables, and lamps

When would I need to make a claim?

• for example, while your tenants are at work, thieves break into your property and steal electrical equipment which you’ve provided

What isn’t covered?

• old contents left at the property but not intended for the current tenants’ use, like personal possessions
• contents left in empty or vacant properties – you’ll usually need specific unoccupied property insurance for these
• tenant theft or theft by someone lawfully at the premises, in some cases, depending on your insurer

Escape of water or oil

You might claim for this if a leak causes damage to your contents.

What’s escape of water or oil insurance?

This insurance can pay for repair and replacement costs, if a large amount of water leaks inside your property (not caused by an outside flood), or oil leaks from a heating system and damages your contents.

For example:

• a pipe bursts in the bathroom, damaging soft furnishings in the nursery and master bedroom

What isn’t covered?

• old contents left at the property but not intended for the current tenants’ use, like personal possessions
• contents left in empty or vacant properties – you’ll usually need specific unoccupied property insurance for these
• damage caused by sprinkler systems, in some cases – this will depend on your insurer