by jqm | Oct 1, 2025 | Home Insurance, Landlord Insurance, Warehouse Insurance
The Risk of Underinsurance in the UK
Underinsurance is one of the biggest issues facing property owners across the UK. Whether you own a residential home, a buy-to-let, or a commercial property, failing to insure your building for the correct value could leave you seriously out of pocket.
Recent UK insurance surveys suggest that around 80% of properties are underinsured, often by 20% or more. This means most property owners are paying premiums each year but still don’t have adequate cover in the event of a major loss.
Why Do So Many Properties End Up Underinsured?
There are several reasons why buildings sums insured don’t reflect the true cost of reinstatement:
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Rising construction costs – Inflation in labour, building materials, and professional fees increases rebuild costs each year.
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Outdated valuations – Many owners set a sum insured years ago and never review it.
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Confusing “market value” vs. “rebuild cost” – Insurance should be based on the cost to rebuild, not the selling price.
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Extensions and renovations – Improvements to the property are often not declared to insurers.
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VAT and fees – Owners sometimes forget to include demolition, debris removal, and architects’ fees in their sums insured.
The result is underinsurance, which can dramatically reduce the payout you receive following a claim.
The Importance of the Average Clause
Most UK property insurance policies include an Average Clause. This clause is designed to ensure fairness between policyholders – but it can be a nasty surprise if you are underinsured.
In simple terms, the Average Clause means that if your property is insured for less than its true rebuild cost, any claim will be reduced in proportion to the level of underinsurance.
How the Average Clause Works – Example
Let’s say:
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The true rebuild cost of your property is £1,000,000
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You insure it for £750,000 (25% underinsured)
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A fire causes damage worth £400,000
Because of the Average Clause, the insurer will not pay the full £400,000. Instead, they apply the proportion of underinsurance:
Sum Insured ÷ True Value × Loss = Settlement
£750,000 ÷ £1,000,000 × £400,000 = £300,000 payout
This leaves you £100,000 short – even though your sum insured looked high on paper.
Residential vs Commercial Property Risks
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Residential properties – Homeowners often underestimate rebuild costs, particularly for period properties, listed buildings, or houses with specialist features. For tailored cover, explore our Residential Landlords Insurance.
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Commercial properties – Business owners are especially vulnerable due to larger, more complex buildings, additional compliance costs, and the need to cover tenant improvements. Learn more on our Commercial Property Owners Insurance page.
For landlords and commercial property owners, underinsurance can also affect business continuity if repairs are delayed due to lack of funds.
How to Avoid Underinsurance
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Get a professional rebuild cost assessment – Use a chartered surveyor or online RICS calculator.
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Review your sums insured regularly – Ideally every year, especially after renovations.
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Factor in fees and VAT – Don’t forget demolition, debris removal, and professional costs.
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Work with a specialist broker – At Just Quote Me Ltd, we help ensure your sums insured are realistic and up to date.
Protect Your Property Investment
Underinsurance is a hidden risk that could cost you thousands at the worst possible time. By reviewing your sums insured and understanding the Average Clause, you can safeguard your financial security.
👉 Contact Just Quote Me Ltd today for expert advice and a no-obligation property insurance quote. Make sure your residential or commercial building is fully protected.
by jqm | Sep 25, 2025 | Landlord Insurance
Commercial Property Owners Insurance in the UK – Why You Need It
Owning commercial property, whether offices, shops, warehouses, or industrial units, comes with significant responsibilities. Protecting your investment with the right insurance is essential. Commercial Property Owners Insurance provides tailored cover against risks that could disrupt your business or cause financial loss. At JustQuoteme Ltd, we specialise in helping commercial property owners across the UK secure cost-effective, comprehensive insurance.
What is Commercial Property Owners Insurance?
Commercial property owners insurance is designed to protect business premises and assets against damage and liability claims. It covers the building itself, any fixtures and fittings, and often the contents used in connection with the property. Unlike standard commercial insurance, property owners insurance is specifically tailored for landlords and property investors.
Who Needs It?
This type of insurance is ideal for:
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Owners of office buildings or business parks
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Owners of retail premises, shops, and high street properties
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Industrial unit owners and warehouse landlords
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Investors with mixed-use commercial property portfolios
If you own commercial property, having the right insurance ensures you protect your asset and your rental income.
What Does Commercial Property Owners Insurance Cover?
Typical policies include:
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Buildings insurance – protection against damage from fire, flood, storm, subsidence, and accidental damage
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Contents insurance – covers fixtures, fittings, and landlord-owned equipment within the property
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Loss of rent cover – protects your income if your property becomes uninhabitable due to insured damage
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Accidental and malicious damage cover – protects against damage caused by tenants or third parties
Property Owners Liability Cover
A crucial part of commercial property owners insurance is Property Owners Liability Cover. This protects you from legal liability if someone is injured or property is damaged as a result of your property ownership.
This cover protects you in situations such as:
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A visitor injured by a structural fault in your property
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Damage to neighbouring properties caused by your building
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Accidents in communal areas or car parks you own
Without property owners liability cover, you could face costly legal claims and compensation payments. This cover provides peace of mind that you’re protected against financial loss from third-party claims.
Why Choose JustQuoteme Ltd?
At JustQuoteme Ltd, we work with leading insurers to find tailored commercial property owners insurance policies that match your needs. Our expert brokers understand the risks facing commercial landlords and can arrange competitive quotes with comprehensive coverage.
Choosing JustQuoteme means:
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Access to a wide panel of UK insurers
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Expert advice on the best policy options
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Transparent pricing and no hidden costs
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Personalised service tailored to your property and business needs
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Fast, simple quotes so you can secure cover quickly
Our goal is to make the process easy while ensuring you get the protection you need at the best possible price.
Get a Quote Today
If you’re a commercial property owner in the UK, don’t leave your property and income unprotected. Speak to JustQuoteme Ltd today for a fast, no-obligation quote on commercial property owners insurance with property owners liability cover.
Or call us now on 0800 084 2325
👉 Protect your investment with JustQuoteme — because your property deserves the best protection.
by jqm | Sep 25, 2025 | Landlord Insurance
Residential Landlords Insurance in the UK – Why You Need It
If you own a house, flat, or multiple properties that you rent out to tenants, having the right insurance is essential. Residential Landlords Insurance, also known as Property Owners Insurance, is designed to protect your investment against risks such as fire, flood, damage, and legal claims. At JustQuoteme Ltd, we help landlords across the UK find cost-effective insurance tailored to residential rental properties.
What is Residential Landlords Insurance?
Residential landlords insurance goes beyond standard home cover. It provides protection for property owners who let their buildings to tenants. From single buy-to-lets to larger portfolios, this insurance ensures landlords are not left facing huge financial losses if something goes wrong.
Who Needs It?
Residential landlords insurance is suitable for:
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Private landlords with one or more rental properties
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Buy-to-let investors renting homes or flats to tenants
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Resident associations or management companies overseeing shared blocks
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Portfolio landlords managing multiple residential lets
Whether you’re new to property letting or manage several tenants, residential landlords insurance keeps your assets and income secure.
What Does Residential Landlords Insurance Cover?
Policies can include:
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Buildings insurance – protection for the structure of your rental property against fire, flood, or storm damage
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Contents insurance – covers furnishings, white goods, and other items in furnished properties
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Loss of rent cover – helps you recover lost rental income if tenants must move out due to insured damage
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Accidental and malicious damage – including damage caused by tenants
Property Owners Liability Cover
A key benefit of residential landlords insurance is Property Owners Liability Cover. As a landlord, you are legally responsible for the safety of tenants, visitors, contractors, and even members of the public while they’re on your property.
This cover protects you if:
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A tenant slips on poorly maintained stairs and is injured
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A visitor is harmed due to a loose tile or faulty handrail
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Damage occurs to a neighbouring property caused by your building
Property owners liability insurance ensures you won’t be left facing costly legal claims or compensation payouts. It’s one of the most valuable protections for residential landlords in the UK.
Common Exclusions
Typical exclusions include:
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General wear and tear
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Lack of property maintenance
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Unoccupied homes without additional cover
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Tenant default (unless added as an optional extra)
At JustQuoteme Ltd, we’ll clearly explain what’s covered and help you choose the right extras for your situation.
Why Choose JustQuoteme?
As an experienced UK insurance broker, we work with leading insurers to secure the most competitive rates for residential landlords. Whether you own one buy-to-let or multiple homes, we’ll tailor your cover to ensure maximum protection. Our goal is to save you time, money, and stress by finding the right insurance at the right price.
Get a Quote Today
If you’re a residential landlord in the UK, don’t leave your property and rental income unprotected. Contact JustQuoteme Ltd today for a fast, no-obligation quote on residential landlords insurance with property owners liability cover.
Click Here for an Instant Free Quotation for Residential Landlords Insurance
Or Call us on 0800 084 2325
👉 Get protected and let with confidence.
by jqm | Sep 16, 2021 | Landlord Insurance
New landlords have been warned not to ignore some of the costs they will face but might not have considered, one of which is getting insured.
Landlord Today advised those investing in property that there are “a lot of expenses to consider” beyond mortgages and repair costs.
Among these is landlords insurance. The article noted that it is not actually mandatory and may “go under the radar”. However, it added, this is an invaluable thing to have and it noted is generally one of the lower costs, at an average of £217 a year for the typical rental property.
This amounts to “a drop in the ocean compared to the money it could save you and all the other costs associated with being a landlord,” the article commented.
Among the benefits landlord insurance provides is protection against the costs of damage to newly-bought (and often expensive) furniture, as well as other forms of damage, the worst of which could be fire.
Not only will this provide peace of mind, but it will prevent a sudden large bill arising that could have been prevented for a modest outlay.
Other costs listed in the article include gas safety certificates, electrical safety checks and licences for houses of multiple occupation and also in local authority areas that apply licensing regimes (which only some do).
Less common insurance issues can include subsidence. Some insurers, though not all, will incorporate insurance against subsidence into wider insurance policies. Landlord Zone revealed that the experience of insurance providers in recent years has been that while these account for a small proportion of claims, they have risen significantly in recent years.
Extreme weather can cause this, either through excess rain causing ground to become saturated or drains to overflow with the same effect, or very dry weather than can cause shrinkage.
Other factors can include tree roots drying up the ground by soaking the moisture out of it.
New Landlords Beware – hidden charges trap the inexpe… (landlordtoday.co.uk)
As the weather warms up, the risk of subsidence rises – are you covered? (landlordzone.co.uk)
Own knowledge
by jqm | Jul 28, 2020 | Business Insurance UK, Home Insurance, Insurance, Insurance Broker, Landlord Insurance
There are approximately 497,000 Houses of Multiple Occupancy (or HMOs) across England and Wales, many owned by private landlords. Of course, there are benefits to owning an HMO, including increased rents across one property. However, there are risks too; more tenants could mean more damage to a property, for example. To protect themselves from these risks, landlords need good multiple occupancy insurance.
What Is A House Of Multiple Occupancy?
Not all landlords are clear on just what an HMO is. In general, an HMO is a property that is home to three or more unrelated tenants. This can include a house-share, bedsits or flats. There can be separate facilities in each flat or communal areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.
What Should Multiple Occupancy Insurance Include?
While some of the risks associated with any rental property are the same when it comes to HMOs, there are differences too. If, for example, there is a shared kitchen in a building converted to bedsits (versus letting people cook in their rooms), there is a lower risk of fire. In general, however, multiple occupancy insurance will cover:
- The building itself including structural damage (either accidental or intentional).
- Contents, which is especially important if the landlord provides white goods or furnishings; this includes accidental damage and theft.
- Malicious damage, caused by tenants or others (visitors, for example).
- Loss of rent, whether through rent arrears or a room/flat being unlet.
- Liability against accidental injury to a tenant or visitor; this includes legal expenses.
Finding The Right Insurance For You
Multiple Occupancy insurance can be complicated. As a result, it isn’t always easy to find. This is where Just Quote Me comes in. They’re experts in specialist insurance that helps landlords protect themselves and their property at a price that works for them. Click here to fill out the Quick Quote Form or call the team on 0800 084 2325 to find out more and get a free insurance quote today.
by jqm | Jul 14, 2020 | Home Insurance, Insurance, Landlord Insurance
Whether you’re a private property owner or a landlord, you will likely need building owners insurance if you own any type of building. For those who own a building with a mortgage, this will no doubt be a requirement of your lender. The type of insurance you need, however, will vary. It will depend on the type of building you own, and whether you are the occupant or the landlord. Which is why it’s essential to make sure you choose the right cover for your needs.
What Does Building Owners Insurance Cover?
Building owners insurance will differ dependent on need and level of risk. It will also vary depending on whether you are insuring a commercial or residential property. In general, however, both will cover the loss of damage to a property due to:
- Fire
- Explosion
- Severe weather such as storms, floods, and earthquakes
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Damage due to falling trees or vehicle collision
- Subsidence
In addition, outer buildings such as garages and sheds, as well as fencing, may be covered.
Finding the Right Insurance for You
While some of what we’ve listed might seem unlikely to happen to your building, the fact that they’re included in an insurance policy means they probably have happened to someone at some point. Ignoring the need for insurance cover, then, could be costly. For landlords, it means their livelihoods are at risk. It’s important, therefore, to get the right insurance in place as quickly as possible.
To make sure this happens, contact Just Quote Me. Their highly trained team of insurance specialists will talk you through just what you need and get you the right policy at the right price. Fill out our Quick Quote Form or call our team on 0800 084 2325 to find out more and get a free insurance quote today.
by jqm | Jul 9, 2020 | Home Insurance, Insurance Broker, Insurance Online, Landlord Insurance
Around 55% of landlords own more than one property, with 17% owning at least five properties. For some, these will be residential only. For others, there will be a mix of residential and commercial. Insuring each one individually can be time-consuming and costly, especially if discounts are available for insuring multiple properties under one policy. This is where Property Owners Portfolio insurance comes in.
The Benefits Of Property Owners Portfolio Insurance
Property Owners Portfolio insurance offers landlords a convenient and cost-effective way to combine all their properties under one policy. However, it doesn’t have to mean choosing a ‘one size fits all’ policy. Elements can be adapted dependent on the building, its purpose, its location, and level of risk. Without such insurance, a landlord may find themselves having to cover the cost of unpaid rent or extensive repairs to a building or its contents.
What Does The Insurance Cover?
Property Owners Portfolio insurance can cover different things dependent on need and level of risk. For example, a commercial property may need to cover a landlord in case of accident or injury, which won’t be needed in a residential property. Similarly, a residential property might need appliances to be covered, something not needed in a shop. In general, however, insurance will cover:
- Property damage, from tenants and from fire, flood or vandalism
- Contents damage, whether this is shelving or white goods
- Loss of rent, allowing a landlord to maintain his income.
Taking Out Property Owners Portfolio Insurance
When multiple properties are involved, getting insurance right can be a challenge. That’s why it’s best to speak to an insurance specialist such as Just Quote Me. Their highly-skilled and experienced advisors can talk you through just what you need and find the right policy at the right price. Contact them today on 0800 084 2325 or fill in our Quick Quote Form to find out more.
by jqm | Aug 6, 2019 | Insurance Online, Insurance Quote Online, Just Quote Me, Landlord Insurance
If you own property then you want to make sure it is fully protected. Building owners’ insurance allows you to protect one or more buildings as long as they are not your place of residence.
Building Owners’ Insurance Vs Landlord Insurance
Landlord insurance is aimed at people who own rental properties. It provides protection against damage that might be caused by tenants or natural disasters. It also provides protection against unpaid rent. Building owners’ insurance can be used to insure buildings that are used for a range of purposes, including unoccupied properties.
The Key Benefits
If you own a portfolio of property, it would be a hassle to have a different policy for each building. With building owners’ insurance, you can insure all the buildings with one policy. As well as being easier, it also works out to be cheaper.
You can include liability insurance as part of your building owners’ insurance. This provides protection in case of injury to third parties. For example, if one of the buildings you own falls into disrepair, which causes injury to a member of the public. Your insurance would cover the legal fees associated with the incident.
If your properties are rented then you get the same protections as with landlord insurance. In the event that your tenants withhold payment, or if the property is temporarily uninhabitable, you will receive the same amount that you would have.
Included in this insurance is commercial cover for the buildings. This offers protection in the event of fire, arson, and break-ins.
In essence, this insurance offers you comprehensive cover for all the buildings you own in one simple policy.
Do you have questions about Building Owners’ Insurance?
Call Just Quote Me for FREE on 0800 084 2325 or get a quote online using our Quick Quote Form.
by jqm | Jun 17, 2019 | Landlord Insurance
Are you a landlord and looking for an insurance quote?
There are so many benefits to protecting your property with landlords insurance and so it’s surprising that so many landlords are still without it.
When you rent out your property, you’re leaving it in the hands of your tenants. Leaving other people to look after your biggest asset can be worrying and landlords insurance can help to give you peace of mind that your property and its contents are covered.
Buy Landlord Insurance Cover Online Today
Just Quote Me is a leading UK insurance company that can help you to find the right policy to meet your needs. We’ve worked with hundreds of businesses over the years and our service has always been met with praise from our satisfied customers.
Just Quote Me believes that insurance should be tailored to a company’s needs in order for it to provide adequate protection when they need it most.
FREE Landlord Insurance quote
If you would like a FREE Landlord Insurance quote that’s tailored to your unique needs, call Just Quote Me on 0800 084 2325 or use our Quick Quote form.
by jqm | Oct 23, 2018 | Home Insurance, Insurance, Insurance Online, Insurance Quote Online, Landlord Insurance, Personal Insurance, Public Liability Insurance
If you enjoy time away in your own holiday home, then you’ll need holiday home insurance to protect it if anything goes wrong. Holiday home insurance protects your getaway when you are staying there, and when you not.
A holiday home is vulnerable to the same risks as your own home. It may suffer from flooding. Alternatively, it may suffer from roof damage. As well as the building of your holiday home being at risk, the contents may also be at risk of damage or theft. Your holiday home insurance is there to protect both your buildings and contents.
Why Do I Need Holiday Home Insurance?
While holiday home insurance is similar to a standard home insurance policy in what it covers, there is a critical difference. Standard home insurance policies will be invalid if the property is empty for over 30 days a year. Your holiday home is likely to be vacant for 30 days in a year, which will mean it needs a specific insurance policy to ensure it remains valid.
If you also rent out your holiday home, then your insurance policy will need to cover this aspect of your business. You can tailor your holiday home insurance to your needs. As well as covering your contents and buildings, it can also include the loss of rent and public liability too.
What Can I Include In Holiday Home Insurance?
Building cover is usually part of the policy as standard, but other aspects you may see in a policy include;
- Contents insurance
- Emergency travel cover
- Personal possessions insurance (for items that you store outside of the home)
- 24-hour helpline.
All policies will vary in what they offer. It is essential to state exactly what you want your plan to include and also read the small print carefully.
Do you have questions about Holiday Home Insurance?
Call Just Quote Me for FREE on 0800 084 2325 or get a quote online using our Quick Quote Form.
by jqm | Feb 20, 2017 | Business Insurance, Business Insurance UK, Landlord Insurance, Local Business Insurance News
Are you a landlord in need of landlords insurance?
If so then check out what is on offer from Just Quote Me today. Just Quote Me is one of the UK’s leading insurance comparison websites and as such it should be your first port of call when you’re looking to find landlords insurance that meets your specific needs.
All to often, landlords purchase generic insurance only to find that it doesn’t provide them with adequate cover when they need it most. If you’re a UK Landlord then visit Just Quote Me today.
When you’re looking to protect your property and your contents, landlords insurance is a necessity. It can cover you against financial losses associated with your rental property and can provide you with much needed peace mind when other people are living in your house or flat.
Our policies cover Buildings Insurance, Landlords Contents Insurance, Property Owners Liability as standard we can also cover rent guarantee, Employers Liability Insurance, cover for residential or commercial properties or a mixture of both, in fact any rental property can be covered via our fantastic quote systems!
Just Quote Me has been a leader in its field for the past 30 years and as such it has built up a robust customer base that continues to grow and expand. To get an instant quote for landlords insurance, simply input your information on the form on the website or call 0800 084 2325 to speak to one of the team.
To Compare Landlord Insurance Quotes Online:
Go to our online Quote System or call us for FREE on 0800 084 2325
by jqm | Feb 7, 2017 | Business Insurance, Business Insurance UK, Landlord Insurance, Local Business Insurance News
Landlord Insurance
Landlords have a touch enough job as it is, often holding down a nine to five career whilst, at the same time, doing their best to keep on top of their sometimes unruly tenants!
The last thing that any owner letting property needs is to have a problem with one of their properties that then requires expensive repairs or other remediation works.
This would only be made worse for them if they thought they had insurance in place to cover the risk but then found out that, due to a policy exclusion or similar wording, they were not covered!
It can be an expensive lesson to learn for some property owners!
Such a situation can be a hard and expensive lesson to learn for some Landlords so, to help them avoid an unsuccessful insurance claim in the future, we thought it would be prudent to share the major issues we know of, that may result in such a claim being denied!
So then, without further ado, here are our top five reasons that result in Landlords Insurance Claims not being settled.
- Your tenant sublets your property
In the case where your property is sub-let by your primary tenant renting out accommodation to sub-tenants your landlord insurance could be void. This means that you would not be covered if you were to make an insurance claim.
This means effectively that, in this type of case, even though you have been accepted for cover, the policy exclusions will mean that you are still not covered by your insurance provider.
- You have an unoccupied property
Another policy exclusion would be one that has a clause stating, for instance, that you are not covered if your property remains unoccupied for more than 45 days. This period of time can of course vary depending on the provider. If you have gaps between your properties tenancies due to your tenant not being able to move in for a month or two then you need to consider this important factor carefully.
- You have an unusual property
You will often find that when you first sign-up to purchase a policy, that you will often have to agree that your rental property is of standard construction. This refers to the fact that normally, it would be constructed from brick or stone walls under a standard tiled or slate roof.
In those unusual cases where you have a property that was built with a timber frame, pre-fabricated sections, or perhaps has a concrete construction, then you may not be able to agree to such a clause.
You must tread carefully because, should you not have a standard type of construction that you have already agreed to, then you will not be covered. Honesty is always the best policy when it comes to arranging cover.
- Be careful if you are performing major renovation work
Some insurance policies will have a limit on the amount of renovation work that you can perform whilst still maintaining your policy cover. Reputable companies policies will, for instance, cover a property that’s undergoing renovation work up to say a total of £250,000. Some may be higher than this figure and some may be lower, always be sure to check the small print to see what it includes and excludes.
- Do you let a flat-roofed property?
When you are arranging your cover, you may be asked if a certain amount, or percentage, of your roof, is flat. This can be a problem when obtaining insurance, particularly for those properties with a completely flat roof.
The other thing to bear in mind is that some roofs will have varying types of construction. If in any doubt you should discuss these matters with your insurance provider to help mitigate your own risk.
Make sure that you have got it all covered!
It is, as we said before, important to be as honest as possible disclosing anything that you think is pertinent to your cover policy. If you do not do this, this is when you may have trouble when you need to be getting a claim paid out.
We are always ready here at Just Quote Me, on hand to answer any of your Landlords Insurance related questions.
Compare Landlord Insurance:
Go to our online Quote System or call us on 0800 084 2325
