Contents Insurance for Landlords

Protecting those extra touches with contents insurance for landlords

Although a buildings insurance policy is probably at the forefront of many property owners' minds, there may be one or two things involved in it which may also be worth insuring under contents cover. Even a residential property can be fitted out with carpets and one or two bits and pieces of furniture, which could be expensive to replace in the event of something like a fire or accidental damage. Contents insurance for landlords can be a handy addition which can be of particular benefit to those looking to let a property furnished.

A home with a few extra touches like pictures, decent sofas and chairs, and some plush carpets can make it all the more appealing to potential tenants, but such items may go well beyond any basic buildings cover for landlords that somebody may have. Tenants may spill things on new carpets, or occasionally accidentally damage a piece of furniture, so contents insurance is something to bear in mind if you are going down this route.

You can often simply add in contents cover up to a certain limit on top of your basic buildings insurance policy. For example, your insurer may offer you the option of contents cover on a property to a maximum of about £5,000 or more all the way up to £50,000 or more, for example.

Buy to let contents cover

So whether you are simply looking to add a few touches to a property, or looking to kit it out fully, a contents addition can put your mind at rest that you're not taking the chance on anything you have spent time and money on providing for a home and its tenants. Of course, if you are in to residential letting, your tenants will generally be expected to provide their own cover for their own contents, but anything which belongs to you is your own concern. While a typical landlord insurance policy with buildings cover will protect the fitted kitchen or the bathroom fixtures, plus all the other things you would get on a traditional home cover deal, they may not go so far as to protect against a new dining table or sofa which you have added.

Contents insurance for landlords can often be added to a policy at a later date, meaning you can take out a buildings cover deal when you purchase the property. However, should you  decide to upgrade the carpets and add a few other things perhaps a year or two down the line, you may simply be able to contact the company and ask for a contents element to be added, probably for an extra premium.

Contents insurance for landlords may also be included in a policy which stretches across a number of properties, perhaps as part of a portfolio, meaning if you are looking to rent out a number of furnished homes you have peace of mind.