How To Choose The Best Landlord Insurance Provider
The best landlord insurance provider for you combines the right cover for your property type, competitive pricing, and fast, fair claims handling. Choosing well means comparing what is included and excluded, not just the headline price.
A policy that suits a standard buy-to-let flat may not work for an HMO, holiday let, or listed building. Getting clear on what you need before you start comparing saves time and prevents you from buying cover that doesn’t match your situation.
Below is a step-by-step approach to choosing a provider, from working out your cover requirements to checking how insurers handle claims. If you’re unsure whether you need landlord insurance at all, start there first.
The cheapest quote often has the worst exclusions. Compare cover limits, excesses, and claims handling across providers rather than sorting by price alone.
Compare landlord insurance providers through SimplyQuote to see what each policy actually includes.
What should you look for in a landlord insurance provider?
Start by identifying the cover you need, then compare providers who offer it at a competitive price with strong claims handling and clear policy wording.
Cover that matches your property
Not every provider covers every property type. If you let an HMO or a block of flats, check that the insurer has a specific product for it rather than trying to force your property into a standard residential let policy.
Check whether the provider is FCA-authorised and read recent customer reviews, particularly about claims experiences. A provider with a low complaint ratio and fast settlement times is worth more than one offering the cheapest quote.
Flexibility and add-ons
Can you adjust your policy mid-term without penalty if your circumstances change? Some providers charge amendment fees or refuse to alter cover until renewal.
Look for optional add-ons like rent guarantee, legal expenses, and emergency assistance. These are not always included in a standard landlord policy but can save you thousands if something goes wrong.
Related: What Does Landlord Insurance Cover?
How do you compare quotes properly?
Get at least three quotes using identical property details, then compare cover limits, excesses, exclusions, and add-ons side by side.
Keep your details consistent
Property address, rebuild value, number of bedrooms, tenant type, and security features must be the same across all quotes. Changing any detail makes a fair comparison impossible.
Use comparison sites alongside specialist landlord insurance brokers. Comparison sites show a broad range of providers, but brokers can often access exclusive deals and niche products.
Look beyond the headline price
A cheaper quote that excludes accidental damage, legal expenses, or subsidence cover may cost you far more in the long run. Read the policy summary carefully before deciding.
| What to compare | Why it matters |
| Cover limits (buildings, contents, liability) | Limits that are too low leave you underinsured on a large claim |
| Excess levels | A low premium with a £1,000 excess means higher out-of-pocket costs per claim |
| Excluded perils | Check for gaps like subsidence, accidental damage, or escape of water |
| Add-ons (rent guarantee, legal expenses) | Optional extras that protect your income and legal position |
| Claims reviews (Trustpilot, FCA data) | Real-world claims handling matters more than marketing promises |
Related: How Much Is Landlord Insurance?
Do you need buildings insurance, contents insurance, or both?
Most landlords need buildings insurance at a minimum. Whether you also need contents insurance depends on whether your property is let furnished.
Buildings cover
Buildings insurance covers the structure, permanent fixtures, and fitted items like kitchens and bathrooms. If you have a mortgage, your lender will require buildings cover as a condition of the loan.
Even without a mortgage, buildings insurance protects your biggest financial asset. One fire, flood, or storm event could wipe out your investment entirely.
Contents cover
Contents insurance covers moveable items you provide for tenants: furniture, appliances, curtains, and soft furnishings. If your property is unfurnished and you haven’t provided any items, you probably don’t need it.
Combined policies that bundle both buildings and contents are often cheaper than buying each separately and simplify your admin to one renewal date.
Related: Do I Need Landlord Insurance?
How important is claims handling?
Claims handling is what separates a good provider from a poor one. A responsive, fair claims process can save you thousands in stress, time, and out-of-pocket costs.
What to check before you buy
Read claims-specific reviews on Trustpilot and Google Reviews. General customer service ratings don’t tell you how the insurer behaves when you need to claim.
The FCA publishes complaint ratios by insurer, showing the number of complaints relative to business size. A provider with a much higher ratio than the industry average may have systemic issues.
Speed and communication
A burst pipe causing water damage needs action within days, not weeks. Check whether the provider offers 24/7 claims support and how long typical settlements take.
Good insurers keep you informed throughout the process. If reviews mention having to chase for updates repeatedly, treat that as a warning sign.
Emergency cover
Emergencies don’t happen during office hours. A provider with round-the-clock claims support is far more useful when a tenant calls about a burst pipe at midnight.
Some policies include emergency home assistance as standard, while others sell it as an optional add-on. Check whether it covers call-out fees, temporary repairs, and alternative accommodation for your tenants.
What else affects your choice of provider?
Your property type, portfolio size, and whether you need specialist cover all narrow the field. A landlord with one standard let property has different priorities from someone managing a multi-property portfolio.
Portfolio size and discounts
If you own three or more rental properties, a multi-property policy is almost always cheaper than insuring each one separately. Some providers start offering discounts from just two properties.
Members of recognised landlord bodies like the NRLA sometimes qualify for preferential rates. Always mention memberships when getting quotes.
Specialist property types
HMOs, holiday lets, student properties, and unoccupied properties all carry higher risk and need specialist cover. Properties in flood-risk areas also need providers who don’t exclude water damage.
Not every mainstream insurer offers these products, so you may need a niche provider or broker.
If your property has non-standard construction (thatched roof, timber frame, listed building), check that the insurer covers it without heavy exclusions. The factors that drive your premium are different for non-standard builds.
Related: What Factors Affect the Cost of Landlord Insurance?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Landlord insurance is not required by law, but buildings insurance is almost always required by your mortgage lender as a condition of the loan. The government’s landlord guidance outlines your broader obligations as a landlord.
No, standard home insurance policies exclude properties that are let to tenants. You need specialist landlord insurance that covers tenant damage, liability claims, rent loss, and legal disputes.
Review your policy annually, four to six weeks before your renewal date. Check whether your premium has increased, whether competitors offer better rates, and whether your cover still matches your property’s current situation.
Most standard policies cover malicious damage caused by tenants. However, some require regular property inspections, typically every three to six months, as a condition of this cover.
Yes, landlords who insure three or more properties with the same provider can often secure discounts of 10–25%. Even if one provider isn’t the cheapest for every individual property, the portfolio discount may make them the best overall option.