Checklist for tenants – what insurance will and won’t cover

As a tenant, it’s well worth considering taking out contents insurance, as the landlord’s insurance will not typically cover your own possessions. Our Bode comprehensive tenant insurance policy cover includes: 

• Personal valuables – such as jewellery, watches, pictures and other works of art
• Theft from garages and other outbuildings
• Insured contents temporarily removed from the home
• Soft furnishings
• Electrical items
• Personal furniture
• Accidental damage to your landlord’s furniture, fixtures and fittings

As with any insurance, there are limits to the amount that will be paid out, there may be an excess to pay and there are exclusions – i.e. things and circumstances in which you won’t be covered – so it’s important to check these with your insurer.

What kind of things are excluded?

Generally speaking, you won’t be covered for deliberate damage, damage that’s occurred because of something you accidentally did, or damage that’s been sustained over a period of time. For example, here are eight key things that most tenant insurance policies won’t cover:

• Deliberate damage to landlord’s property or contents
• Damage after property has been left unoccupied for more than 60 days
• Damage caused by pets
• Theft of bicycles, unless they’ve been secured and immobilised
• Gradual wear and tear to audio, video or computer equipment, or damage that’s occurred through failure to use equipment in line with the manufacturer’s instructions
• Loss of rent or alternative accommodation costs if the landlord’s building insurer is liable
• Damage to most sports equipment that occurs during use
• Financial losses due to misplaced or stolen money or cards if they have not been reported to the police or card issuer within 24 hours

For more detailed information on what you are and aren’t covered for under our own tenant insurance policy, including the financial payout limits and excesses, you can access the full policy with terms and conditions here.

If you would like a quote, you can either apply online via our website, call and speak to one of the team on 01903 890044 or email info@bodeinsurancesolutions.co.uk and we’ll get back to you shortly.