Expert Q&A — Landlord insurance Expert Q&A — Landlord insurance

What do landlords need to know about insurance?

Landlords come in many property-sized shapes and sizes, from individuals letting out a private residential home to businesses managing a portfolio of properties. Whatever type of landlord you are, there is a diverse range of risks that you might be exposed to.

We sat down with our in-house expert, SME Portfolio Underwriting Lead, Martyn Hall, to answer the key questions landlords have about the insurance they might need.

Whether you're new to being a landlord or finding your current insurance provider is struggling to offer the kind of protection you’re looking for, find out how we help landlords and learn more about the range of landlord's covers we offer.

Do I need landlord insurance?

As a landlord, the risks you could face are unique. This means they often can’t be fully covered by a standard household or home insurance policy.

Landlord insurance exists to protect a landlord’s investment as well as the liabilities they face from letting their property out to tenants.

How has the insurance market changed for landlords in the last few years?

The landlord insurance market has changed dramatically simply because the rental property industry itself has changed.

In recent years, we’ve seen changes to what is considered taxable income, fluctuating mortgage rates, high inflation and in 2026, we’re seeing the largest shake-up of private rental reforms in the UK, with the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act.

What type of businesses or individuals is landlord insurance most popular with?

The most common type of landlord is an "accidental landlord". This is someone who becomes a landlord by inheriting a property or moving in with a partner.

These landlords don’t intentionally set out to rent property, but find themselves looking to get tenants in with tight lead-in times.

What is the biggest risk of not having landlord cover in place?

When setting out as a landlord, you might have home insurance in place, but maybe not landlord insurance. If this is the case, you could risk having a claim declined because you're in breach of the terms and conditions of your household insurance policy by renting to tenants.

It’s important to check what your home insurance policy covers before renting your property out. Most policies don’t cover the risks you might face as a landlord.

What other covers are typically bought alongside landlord insurance?

There are several add-on covers you can buy alongside your landlord insurance.

Rent guarantee insurance is popular as it protects a landlord’s income regardless of whether their tenant pays rent.

Another popular cover is landlords’ contents insurance. This is designed to cover the repair or replacement cost of property belonging to the landlord in a rental property if it’s damaged accidentally or maliciously by a tenant.

Home emergency cover is another cover many landlords add to their landlord policies. This specialist fast-response cover offers enhanced protection in the event of a sudden and unexpected event that causes damage to your property, such as a flood, a fire, a power outage or a boiler malfunction.

Landlords' home emergency insurance is designed to cover the cost of emergency callout and temporary repairs to keep your property habitable.

What our expert says

Martyn Hall, SME Portfolio Underwriting Lead

Many people think landlord insurance and standard home insurance are the same — but they’re not. If you’re renting out a property and only have a household policy, there’s a real risk your claim could be declined.

What claims trends have you seen among landlords?

The most common claim we receive from landlords is for accidental damage. That said, the most severe claims trend we see — which is particularly prevalent in winter — is for damage caused by burst water pipes.

What makes landlord cover bought through Superscript different?

The landlord policies we offer at Superscript are designed to suit our customers rather than an insurer’s idea of what a landlord is.

Our customers can pick and choose the covers they want regardless of whether they’re renting to a commercial business or a residential tenant.

We understand that a landlord doesn’t work on an annual cycle and so we don’t tie our customers into policies with long-term, annual commitments.

What’s the most common question we get asked about landlord insurance?

One of the most common questions we hear is: “How do I work out the rebuild cost of my property?” If you haven’t had a recent survey, it can be tricky to estimate — especially with building costs having risen by 15–20% since 2020.

The rebuild cost is an important number — and often confused with the market value — but it’s what it would take to completely rebuild the property from scratch, including materials, labour and professional fees.

A good place to start is the free BCIS rebuild calculator, which gives an estimate based on your property type, location and size. For a more accurate figure, especially for unusual or high-value properties, consider getting a professional valuation.

Is landlord insurance mandatory?

While landlord insurance isn't a legal requirement, almost every mortgage provider will require valid landlord insurance in their terms and conditions.

Superscript supports landlords to find the right covers for their situation. Learn more about landlord insurance.

This content has been created for general information purposes and should not be taken as formal advice. Please always refer to your policy documents for full details around exclusions, terms and limits of your customised cover. Read our guide to understanding your policy documents.

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