Buy To Let Insurance
Buy-To-Let Insurance Quotes for Landlords
Protect your rental property from damage, loss and tenant risks.
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Compare buy-to-let insurance quotes from UK’s leading landlord insurers including:
What Is Buy-To-Let Insurance?
Buy-to-let insurance is a specialist landlord policy that protects rental properties against damage, liability claims, and lost rental income.
It differs from standard home insurance because it covers risks specific to renting out a property, such as tenant damage, periods without tenants, and legal disputes.
Most buy-to-let mortgage lenders require at least buildings insurance as a condition of the loan. The GOV.UK landlord guide outlines your wider legal obligations as a landlord, from gas safety certificates to deposit protection.
How To Compare Buy-To-Let Insurance
Comparing quotes from several insurers is the fastest way to find cover that matches your property and your budget.
Enter your property details
Provide the property type, number of bedrooms, construction materials, and whether the property is furnished or unfurnished.
Choose your cover level
Decide whether you need buildings only, contents only, or a combined policy. Add any extras such as rent guarantee or legal expenses.
Review your quotes side by side
Check what each policy includes, not just the premium. Look at excess amounts, cover limits, and any exclusions.
Buy online and confirm your cover
Once you have chosen a policy, you can buy directly and receive your documents by email. The FCA regulates all UK insurance providers, so your purchase is protected.
What Does Buy-To-Let Insurance Cover?
A standard buy-to-let policy combines buildings insurance with liability cover and a range of protections designed for rental properties.
Buildings insurance
This covers the structure of your property against fire, storm, flood, theft, vandalism, and subsidence. It pays for repairs or rebuilding up to the rebuild cost, not the market value.
Property owners’ liability
If a tenant, visitor, or contractor is injured at your property and holds you responsible, liability cover pays legal fees and compensation. Most policies provide £2m to £5m of protection.
Liability claims can arise from loose stair carpets, faulty electrics, or slippery paths. Even a minor injury can lead to a claim worth tens of thousands of pounds.
Loss of rent
If your property becomes uninhabitable after an insured event, loss of rent cover replaces your rental income while repairs are carried out. Cover typically lasts 6 to 12 months.
For a property generating £800 per month, that could mean up to £9,600 of protected income while flood or fire damage is repaired.
Accidental damage
This pays for unexpected damage to the building, such as a water tank bursting or a window being broken accidentally. It does not cover gradual wear and tear.
Legal expenses
Legal expenses cover helps with the cost of disputes over tenancy agreements, eviction proceedings, or tax investigations. Limits typically range from £50,000 to £100,000.
Theft and vandalism
If someone breaks into your property and steals fixtures or causes damage, your policy covers the repair and replacement costs.
What Is Not Covered By Buy-To-Let Insurance?
Every policy has exclusions, and knowing what is not covered helps you avoid gaps in your protection.
General wear and tear
Insurers do not pay for gradual deterioration. Worn carpets, faded paintwork, and ageing appliances are maintenance costs, not insurable events.
Unoccupied periods beyond the policy limit
Most policies restrict cover once a property has been empty for 30 to 60 consecutive days. After that threshold, you need specialist unoccupied property insurance.
Tenant belongings
Your buildings policy covers the structure, not your tenants’ possessions. Tenants need their own contents insurance to protect personal items.
Deliberate damage by the policyholder
Any damage you cause intentionally is excluded. Malicious damage by tenants may also be excluded unless you add a specific cover extension.
Pre-existing damage
Damage that existed before the policy start date is not covered. Insurers may inspect the property or ask for a condition report before providing cover.
Business use
If your property is used for commercial purposes rather than residential letting, a standard buy-to-let policy will not apply. You would need commercial property insurance.
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What Types Of Property Does Buy-To-Let Insurance Cover?
Buy-to-let insurance is available for most residential rental properties, though premiums vary depending on the property type and its risk profile.
Houses and bungalows
Standard houses and bungalows are the simplest properties to insure. They attract the lowest premiums because they present fewer structural risks.
Flats and apartments
Flats in purpose-built blocks or converted buildings are widely covered. If you own a let property on a leasehold, your policy covers the internal structure and fixtures.
HMOs and multi-unit properties
Houses in multiple occupation carry higher risk because of shared facilities and higher tenant turnover. You may need specialist HMO insurance if the property is licensed as an HMO.
Student lets
Properties rented to students are typically classed as higher risk due to frequent tenant changeovers. Premiums are usually 10–20% higher than standard lets.
Non-standard construction
Properties built with timber frames, flat roofs, or thatched roofs may need specialist cover. Not all insurers accept non-standard construction, so comparing quotes is important.
If your property has a flat roof covering more than 25% of the total roof area, most standard insurers will ask additional questions or apply exclusions.
How Much Does Buy-To-Let Insurance Cost?
The average buy-to-let insurance policy costs between £150 and £400 per year, depending on the property type, location, and level of cover.
| Property Type | Typical Annual Cost |
| Single flat | £130–£200 |
| Terraced house | £150–£280 |
| Semi-detached house | £180–£320 |
| Detached house | £200–£380 |
| Student let | £220–£400 |
| HMO / multi-unit | £300–£550+ |
What affects your premium?
Insurers price policies based on property type, location, rebuild cost, claims history, and the level of cover you choose. Read our guide on how much landlord insurance costs for a detailed breakdown.
Rebuild cost vs market value
Your buildings sum insured should reflect the rebuild cost, not the market value. The ABI recommends using a rebuild cost calculator or a RICS-qualified surveyor to get an accurate figure.
What Add-Ons Are Available For Buy-To-Let Insurance?
Most insurers let you build a policy around your needs by adding optional extras. These increase the premium but close gaps in your standard cover.
Rent guarantee insurance
If your tenant stops paying rent, rent guarantee insurance replaces your rental income for a fixed period, typically 6 to 12 months. It can also cover the legal costs of eviction.
Contents insurance
If you let a furnished property, contents cover protects your furniture, appliances, and carpets against damage, theft, or fire.
Landlord home emergency cover
This pays for callouts when tenants report emergencies such as boiler breakdowns, burst pipes, or broken locks outside normal working hours.
Malicious damage by tenants
Standard policies often exclude deliberate tenant damage. Adding this extension covers repair costs when a tenant intentionally damages the property.
Unoccupied property insurance
If your property sits empty between tenancies, this extends cover beyond the standard 30–60 day limit. It is one of the most claimed-against add-ons.
Landlord legal protection
This broadens your legal expenses cover to include disputes with contractors, tax enquiries from HMRC, and health and safety prosecutions.
How To Save Money On Buy-To-Let Insurance
A few simple changes can cut your premium without reducing the cover you actually need.
Compare quotes from multiple insurers
Prices vary widely between providers. Using a landlord insurance comparison tool takes a few minutes and can save you hundreds of pounds.
Increase your voluntary excess
Raising the amount you agree to pay towards a claim reduces your annual premium. Make sure the excess is affordable if you do need to claim.
Improve security at the property
Fitting British Standard locks, a burglar alarm, and smoke detectors signals lower risk to insurers and can reduce premiums by 5–15%.
Pay annually instead of monthly
Monthly payments usually include interest. Paying the full annual premium in one go is almost always cheaper.
Bundle multiple properties
If you own several rental properties, a portfolio landlord insurance policy often works out cheaper per property than insuring each one separately.
Reference your tenants
Running credit and reference checks on tenants reduces the risk of unpaid rent and damage. Some insurers offer lower premiums when you can demonstrate a tenant vetting process.
Keep a clean claims history
Avoiding small claims where the repair cost is close to your excess helps you build a no-claims record, which leads to lower renewal quotes.
Review your cover at renewal
Your circumstances change over time, and your cover should keep pace. Check your rebuild cost, rental income figure, and add-ons each year to make sure you are not overpaying.
Compare Buy-To-Let Insurance
Compare buy-to-let insurance quotes from UK insurers in minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, there is no UK law that requires landlords to hold buy-to-let insurance. However, your mortgage lender will almost certainly require buildings insurance as a condition of the loan.
Buy-to-let insurance is a type of landlord insurance designed specifically for residential rental properties. The broader landlord insurance category can also include cover for commercial lets and holiday lets.
No, standard home insurance does not cover properties rented to tenants. If you try to claim on a home policy for a rental property, the insurer is likely to reject it.
You need buildings insurance if you own the freehold or are responsible for the structure. Contents insurance is only needed if you let the property furnished.
Most policies cover vacant periods of 30 to 60 days. Beyond that, you need to add unoccupied property insurance or take out a specialist policy.
Accidental damage by tenants is usually covered, but deliberate or malicious damage is typically excluded unless you add a specific extension.
Most standard policies provide £2m of property owners’ liability, which is enough for a single let property. If you run an HMO or own multiple properties, £5m or more is advisable.
Yes. Multi-property or portfolio policies let you cover several rental properties under a single plan, often at a lower cost per property.
Rent guarantee insurance pays your rental income if a tenant falls into arrears. It typically covers 6 to 12 months of lost rent and can include eviction legal costs.
Use the ABI’s free rebuild cost calculator or hire a RICS-qualified surveyor for a professional reinstatement cost assessment. Getting this figure right avoids being underinsured.
The GOV.UK renting out a property guide covers your legal obligations including gas safety, deposit protection, and energy performance certificates.
