Renters’ insurance in the UK – everything you need to know

Renters' insurance is a crucial form of financial protection easily accessible to the UK’s massive renting population, but one misconception is preventing many from taking out coverage – that their landlord’s insurance policy already protects their belongings.  

The truth is, however, unless it is explicitly stated in the tenancy agreement, landlord insurance covers only, as the name suggests, anything that belongs to the landlord. And often, the only way for tenants to ensure that they do not end up footing the bill when an accident or disaster damages or destroys their possessions is to purchase renters insurance.  

But how does this type of coverage work? Is it a legal requirement? What does it cover and how much coverage do you need? Insurance Business answers these questions and more in this article. If you’re a tenant trying to work out if this is the kind of protection you need, this guide can help you in your decision. For the insurance professionals who frequently visit our website, this is an excellent article to pass along to a client who has questions about renters insurance in the UK. 

How does renters insurance work? 

Simply put, renters insurance pays out the cost to repair or replace your personal belongings if they are damaged or stolen from the property you are renting. It works the same as home contents coverage in a homeowners insurance policy. That is why it is sometimes called contents insurance. Some insurers also refer to it as tenants’ insurance. 

Renters' insurance is not mandatory in the UK, meaning you have no legal obligation to take out coverage. Your landlord likewise cannot require you to purchase renters insurance as part of your tenancy agreement. What they can do, however, is encourage you to get one and remind you of the financial protection such policies provide if an unexpected accident or disaster strikes the rental property. 

Renters insurance is also transferrable, meaning you can take the policy with you when you move to another rental property or even if you have bought your own home. 

This type of coverage is different from landlord insurance, which covers the things your landlord owns, including: 

• The rental property (the building’s structure) 
• Fixtures in the rental property, including fitted kitchens, cupboards, and built-in wardrobes 
• Fittings in the rental property such as appliances, curtains, and furniture 
• Other items left for your use as part of the tenancy agreement 

Landlord insurance does not cover anything that belongs to you as a tenant. 

What does renters insurance cover? 

Renters insurance provides coverage if your personal belongings are lost, damaged, or destroyed due to: 

• Theft or burglary 
• Flooding 
• Vandalism 
• Fire 
• Escape of water, including burst pipes and water leaks 
• Explosion 
• Storms 
• Subsidence 
• Earthquakes 

The list of items typically covered by renters insurance includes: 

• Clothes and fashion accessories: Covered only up to a certain limit, so it pays to insure expensive pieces like jewellery individually. 
• Gadgets: Mobile phones, tablets, and computers are often covered as long as these are not intended for your home business. 
• Furniture: Includes beds, dining tables, chairs, sofa sets, and wardrobes that you brought into the rental property. 
• Home appliances: Microwave ovens, toasters, and other kitchen appliances are covered as long as they do not belong to your landlord.  
• Entertainment systems: TVs, stereos, and game consoles are covered up to a certain limit if they are stolen or accidentally damaged. 
• Home accents: Area rugs, curtains, cushions, and bedding that the tenant owns. 
• Musical instruments: Guitars, keyboards, and drum sets are covered but limits apply, so more expensive instruments may need to be insured individually. 
• Collectibles: Some policies cover valuable collections such as antiques, ornaments, and works of art up to a specified limit.  
• Bicycles: Bicycles and accessories are covered if they are damaged or stolen within the rental property’s premises. If you want to learn more about how to protect your two-wheeler, you can check out our comprehensive bike insurance guide. 

Most renters insurance policies also provide tenants’ liability coverage, which pays out the repair and replacement costs if you unintentionally damage fixtures, fittings, and other items that your landlord owns in the rental property. This also serves to minimize end-of-tenancy deductions that cover the cost of fixing accidental damage.    

Some policies also cover the cost of replacing the following:  

• Spoiled food due to power interruption or broken freezer 
• Cash stolen from the rental property 
• Lock replacement if the keys are lost or stolen 

One thing to take note of is that renters insurance policies have a single-item limit, which is the most the insurer will pay for certain items. So, you may need to declare some of your more expensive possessions separately to have them properly insured.  

You will also need to pay an excess. Also called the deductible, this is the maximum amount you need to pay before renters insurance coverage kicks in. Learn everything you need to know about insurance deductibles in this handy guide. 

Confused with all the insurance jargon? Check out our glossary of insurance terms for the meaning behind common industry buzzwords.  

What is excluded from renters insurance coverage? 

Not all losses or damages to your belongings, however, are covered by renters insurance. Policies typically exclude the following: 

• Damage caused by wear and tear: Includes those occurring due to regular use and malfunctioning or faulty items and appliances.  
• Misplaced or lost items: Belongings lost because of carelessness or irresponsible storage are typically not covered. 
• Damage caused by pets: Includes bite marks, scratches, and defecation, although accidental pet damage may be covered by purchasing an add-on. 
• Incidents involving unforced entry: Stolen items may not be covered if there are no signs of forced entry. 
• Belongings exceeding value limits: Single-value limits are typically pegged at £1,000 to £1,500, so any item whose value exceeds this amount needs to be declared for it to be covered.  
• Damage or lost items when you’re away: Possessions lost or damaged while you were outside the rental property’s premises or those left inside an unoccupied home for more than 30 days are typically not covered, although you can purchase an add-on to extend coverage. 
• Rent arrears: Renters insurance does not cover you if you’re unable to pay your monthly rental. 
• Business-use items and equipment: For items and equipment used in your home business, including laptops and mobile phones, you need to take out a separate business insurance. If you’re a small business owner searching for the right coverage, our small business insurance guide can steer you in the right direction.   

What additional renters insurance coverage can you purchase? 

One benefit of renters’ insurance policies is that it provides flexible cover that can be tailored to suit the varying needs of tenants. If standard renters insurance coverage is not enough to meet your needs, there are a range of optional extras you can use to extend protection. These include: 

• Accidental damage cover: Adds another level of protection for unintentional damages to your belongings such as wine spills and smashed TV screens.  
• Personal belongings cover: For items taken outside the home, with some policies providing cover for possessions brought overseas.  
• Legal expenses cover: Covers the cost of legal proceedings related to your tenancy, including contract or tax disputes. 
• Bicycle cover: Extends coverage for bicycles outside the rental property’s premises.  
• Specified personal belongings cover: Provides coverage for expensive items that exceed the single-item limit. 

The table below provides a summary of what is covered under your renters' insurance policy, what is not, and what optional extras are available. 

How much does renters insurance cost in the UK? 

Renters insurance is one of the most affordable types of policies that one can use. And just like in other types of insurance plans, several factors impact the price of premiums. These include: 

• Address: Different areas have different levels of risks that push up or drive down insurance rates. This will also dictate if the policyholders need to purchase optional extras.  
• Coverage amount: This is the total value of the covered personal belongings. To help clients get an accurate estimate of how much their possessions cost, most insurers have online personal property calculators on their websites that renters can easily access.  
• Deductible: This is the amount the policyholder needs to pay out-of-pocket before coverage kicks in.  
• Discounts: Tenants can also access premium discounts by bundling together their auto and renters insurance policies and paying annually instead of in monthly instalments. 

Based on the research Insurance Business conducted, UK renters can take out contents-only coverage of a home insurance policy, which cost between £59 and £132 annually. This works out at about £4 to £11 monthly. Given the low cost, tenant insurance is worth having unless a person’s possessions are really limited. 

Ever wondered how insurance companies come up with premiums? Find out how and everything else about insurance premiums in this comprehensive guide.  

How much renters’ insurance do you need? 

Each tenant’s situation is unique, so there is no one-size-fits-all coverage that suits every need. The answer to how much renters insurance coverage is needed is entirely up to you. The coverage amount should be enough to pay for the cost of repairing and replacing all your possessions should an unexpected incident occur.  

It is important, however, to come up with an accurate estimation of how much your belongings are worth:  

• Underestimate the value and you end up being underinsured.  
• Overestimate the value and you wind up paying unnecessary premiums.  

Most home insurers allow homeowners and renters to access personal property calculators to help customers work out the amount. An experienced insurance agent or broker can also help you find out how much coverage you will need. 

Is it worth getting renters insurance in the UK? 

Although it is not often that accidents and disasters happen, it still pays to be prepared. One of the most important benefits that renters insurance provides is the peace of mind in knowing that if an unexpected incident occurs, you have the proper financial protection to help you recover quickly.  

Not all tenants, however, need renters insurance. If you have very few possessions, then this type of coverage is unnecessary. But if you own and store expensive belongings in the place you rent, then it pays to have this kind of protection. Renters insurance also suits those living in areas with high incidents of theft or those prone to flooding and other natural disasters. All told, renters insurance is a relatively cheap expense given the type of protection it provides. 

Moving outside the UK? Find out how tenant insurance works in other parts of the world in our global renters' insurance guide.  

Do you think renters insurance is a worthwhile investment? Tell us why or why not in the comment section below.