|
| |
| Explained |
What is Landlord Insurance
Landlord insurance, otherwise known as buy to let insurance, will cover against disasters, such as fire, natural disaster or third party (i.e. a vehicle crashing into your property).
For example, your property could be damaged by fire and rendered uninhabitable, forcing your tenants into alternative accommodation while builders and decorators carry out repairs.
In this circumstance your landlord’s insurance policy would not only pay for all of the work to make good the property but also pay you the rent that you missed out on by not having tenants living in the property during this period.
Another illustration would be if you fall out with your tenants. Should they stop paying the rent and refuse to leave the property, you may be forced to take them to court to have them evicted and collect rent owed to you. If your landlord’s insurance policy includes “Legal Expenses” cover then all of your costs accrued in fighting the court case would be compensated.
Additional covers that can be added on to your landlord policy include:
Buildings Insurance
This can cover you for the re-building of your property in the event of fire or natural disaster. You should check your policy before purchase to see which events it covers. For example some insurers will not cover your property or flood damage.
If you are renting out a property that you previously lived in yourself, you cannot continue to use your residential insurance. Instead switch it to specialist landlord insurance or you may find you are not covered.
Contents Insurance
This can cover you for damage or destruction to possessions in your property such as furniture and soft furnishings. It does not cover your tenant’s possessions so remind them to insure their own belongings.
Tenant Default
This can cover your losses if a tenant defaults on their rent payments.
Loss of Rent
This can cover you for the cost of alternative accommodation or lost rent if your property becomes uninhabitable.
Emergency Assistance
Everyone knows that calling out a tradesman for an emergency job will cost you dear, but if a pipe bursts or the boiler is leaking gas you need to deal with it immediately.
Emergency assistance will provide the cover to get the problem dealt with in the interim so you can take the time to find a good tradesman to fix the problem at a competitive price.
You can also take out cover against terrorism, legal expenses and accidental damage.
|
|
|
|
|
