By Tahir Abbas, Editor · Last updated 1 November 2026
Landlord insurance protects property owners who rent out homes: the building, the rental income and the landlord’s liability. Tenants can cause damage, stop paying rent or leave a property empty, and standard home insurance usually excludes rented-out properties entirely.
This guide explains what landlord insurance typically covers, what it leaves out, who it suits, and how to compare policies before you buy.
What landlord insurance typically covers
- Buildings cover for the rented property
- Loss of rent if the property becomes uninhabitable after an insured event
- Rent guarantee cover, where added, if a tenant defaults
- Damage caused by tenants, where included
- Landlord liability for injuries to tenants or visitors
What landlord insurance typically does not cover
- Wear and tear and routine maintenance
- Damage from tenants that was not reported promptly, on many policies
- Loss of rent where no rent guarantee cover was bought
- Properties left empty beyond the policy’s limit
Who landlord insurance is for
Anyone renting out a property, from a single buy-to-let flat to a portfolio of houses. Mortgage lenders for rental properties often require it, and it protects the income the property produces.
How to choose and compare landlord insurance
- Compare buildings limits against the rebuild value
- Check whether rent guarantee and legal expenses are included or add-ons
- Look at tenant damage limits and excesses
- Consider portfolio cover if you own several properties
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Sources and Disclosure
This guide is general information, not financial advice. Plan features described here are general and vary by insurer and state; always read the sample policy before you buy. For the rules governing insurance in your state, see the consumer resources of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Disclosure: Being Insurance is an independent comparison site. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. That never changes which companies we list or the order we present them in.