Why is landlord contents insurance important?

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From TVs to dining chairs, many landlords choose to furnish their rental property. There’s always a risk that something will get damaged or stolen, so landlord contents insurance is a popular cover for UK rental property owners. You can buy it as part of a complete landlord insurance policy, adding in other protection for the building itself if you need to.

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What does content insurance cover?

 

Landlord content insurance is designed to cover repair and replacement costs for your free-standing items – not ‘fixed’ into the property – if they get damaged, lost or stolen. This can include things like standalone kitchen appliances, furniture and decorative items like paintings or mirrors.

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Keep in mind, all insurers treat this cover differently, and some will consider certain property to be your fixtures and fittings, rather than your contents – for example, your carpets. Check your policy wording carefully before you buy.

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Accidental damage or loss

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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.

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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.

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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.