Brignall Archer

If you are a tenant renting a flat do not be complacent about your possessions.  They can be stolen, vandalised or damaged by fire or flood.  The building insurance that is held by the landlord is not intended to recompense you for the loss of your personal belonging.  You will have to take out contents insurance cover so you do not lose everything if you sustain losses for any reason.

Compare home insurance products from a number of companies when you are looking for contents cover for tenants to be sure you get the very best deal available.  The insurance providers premiums vary considerably, so enquire about tenant insurance and then compare policies and premiums to choose the best one available.

So many people now rent properties, rather than owning their homes, that insurance companies have introduced new ranges of policies.  They have determined that there is a growing market for providing tenant insurance for people who have sold their properties and are now renting flats and houses.  Unlike students and young people, leaving home for the first time, middle-aged families and older single adults are renting, which means they bring many valuable items with them; possessions that need insuring.

When you compare home insurance find out what will be covered and what the limits are.  Be sure to compare apples with apples by outlining exactly what you need, whether it be emergency home cover or not and then determine which provider can give you the best deal for the least money.

There are now several companies that provide home insurance policies specifically targeted at students.  Often, students only rent one room in a house or have a room in a hall of residence and do not need a policy that covers the whole structure.  Buildings insurance is also of no concern, because he or she will only be interested in obtaining home contents insurance for the one room in which they live.

Today, all students are almost certain to have access to some form of computer, be it a laptop that is carried around with them or a desktop that they use in their room; some may even have both.  A student policy to cover this type of equipment is essential as they are often living on a very tight budget and may be unable to replace such items if they are stolen.

Many student policies will insist on the doors to the room having locks.  For those renting a room in a house, to which many people may have easy access, a lock is necessary to provide at least a minimum level of security.  Student contents insurance certificates should also clearly state whether policyholders who share common spaces, such as a living room or kitchen, have their property covered while in these areas.

Student contents insurance premiums are much lower than standard household insurance due to the relatively small amount of cover required.  It pays to shop around to find the best quote possible and online searches for student house insurance can be carried out quite quickly.

When renting a new property, tenants often fail to consider that they will probably need insurance.  Buildings insurance is the responsibility of the landlord, but contents insurance is the responsibility of the tenant, even if they are moving into a furnished property.  The landlord will have contents cover for any furniture he or she has provided, but tenants taking along their own personal belongings need to have them covered independently.

On rare occasions, the landlord will need to allow certain people into the property while the tenant is out; for example to carry out emergency repairs to leaking gas or water pipes or to rectify other issues that cannot wait.  It is therefore a good idea for tenants to keep any valuables out of sight at all times.  Theft of, or damage to, property in such circumstances can become a problem if you have to make a claim, so it is always advisable to be as cautious as possible.

Some tenants insurance will include liability cover, which means that anything the landlord owns, or is responsible for and which is damaged by the tenant, may be covered under the tenant’s insurance policy.  Most insurance companies have tenant specific policies designed to cover all the usual items, but when taking out the cover it is wise to double check that it covers everything you require.

Policy premiums vary, depending on the insurance company and the level of cover required.  The area in which the property is located will also influence the cost.  For example, a high local crime rate will result in higher insurance premiums.  Asking the landlord to provide added security measures on the doors and windows, along with the installation of a burglar alarm will all help keep the price of house insurance down.

Landlords are responsible for insuring the building that you are living in, both from structural damage and weather damage. However, if you are renting a property and are looking for the peace of mind possible in knowing that your possessions are completely covered, then you must make your own arrangements for contents insurance. 

Some insurers have a specific ‘tenants insurance’ that you can arrange.  You may also be able to cover your liability if you personally cause any damage to the property that you are living in.  As with all house insurance policies, the details will vary for each insurance company. You will need to check your policy documents carefully to determine the actual level of cover you have. 

As you are a tenant, there may be occasions when either tradesmen or your landlord need to gain entry to the house or flat when you are absent (in the event of a water leak, for example). If you have valuable items then you should take care to lock them away just for added peace of mind as if they are stolen or damaged then it may be more difficult to claim on the grounds that they were easily accessible.

As with other house insurance policies, tenant’s contents insurance can be arranged so that your valuable items can be listed and covered individually and you will be charged an excess in the event of a claim.  You will also find that your quote varies depending on the area you are living in and the measures taken to prevent loss and damage.  The more preventative measures both you and your landlord take; the better your chances of obtaining a cheaper policy.