Tenants and renters Liability Insurance

Emma Myrie

Written by

Emma Myrie

Insurance Underwriting Expert

Libby Goodsearles

Reviewed by

Libby Goodsearles

Head of Marketing

Less than 1 minute

Updated: 25 Nov 2024

What is tenants liability insurance and who needs it?

Tenants liability insurance (or renters liability insurance) protects people who rent a complete property. It covers them for the cost of damage they – or their guests – may cause to their landlord’s house or flat, for which their tenancy agreement specifies they are responsible. This includes the building itself, as well as its fixtures and fittings.

Some landlords and letting agencies will require their tenants to hold a level of tenant’s liability insurance as a term of contract. Unless they are renting an entirely unfurnished property, there is a high chance that it contains breakable items that belong to the landlord, for which the tenant is responsible for looking after. To avoid costly repair or replacement charges, having Tenant’s Insurance can give peace of mind that these costs will be covered. 

It is also sometimes known as tenancy liability insurance.

What does tenant’s liability insurance cover?

Tenant’s liability insurance can cover the cost of damage you cause to the property or the landlord’s possessions that you’re legally responsible to fix.

Find out what’s covered by Contents insurance from Homeprotect below.

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What’s covered by contents insurance?

Your belongings make your house feel like home. If they’re stolen, damaged or destroyed, our contents insurance helps cover the cost of replacing them — so you’re not left out of pocket. 

  • Fire and smoke 
  • Flood and storm 
  • Theft and attempted theft 
  • Escape of water or oil 
  • Malicious damage 

This includes items like furniture, electronics, clothing and kitchenware — plus a limited amount for contents stored in garages, sheds and outbuildings within your boundary. 

What we offer

Emergency help when you need it most 

If you have a home emergency — such as a power outage, uncontrollable leak or a broken lock — our 24/7 Home Emergency cover is included as standard. 

  • We aim to get an engineer to you within four hours 
  • For serious water leaks, we’ll try to have a plumber with you in two hours

Response times may vary during extreme weather. Policy terms and claim limits apply.

5 star rated cover

Our insurance has received the highest rating from independent financial researchers, Moneyfacts. 

12-month repair guarantee

Any repair work we arrange after a claim is guaranteed for one year. 

New for old

Where we replace a damaged or stolen item, we’ll do our best to match the original — on a ‘new for old’ basis. If that’s not possible, we’ll offer a suitable alternative or a full cash settlement. 

Family Legal Protection is included as standard. You’ll have access to expert telephone legal advice on personal matters under the laws of the UK and most of Europe. 

What isn’t covered?

There are some things we can’t cover, including: 

Items you don’t own or aren’t legally responsible for 

Items stolen from unoccupied vehicles  

Gradual wear and tear, or damage caused by pets 

Faulty design, construction, or workmanship or failure to fix a known issue

Mechanical or electrical breakdown

Keeping your home and belongings in good condition is essential. If damage happens because of neglect or poor maintenance, your claim may be declined, and your policy could be cancelled. 

Contents Insurance Cover Levels

Our contents insurance is designed to protect your belongings against insured events such as fire, storm, flood, escape of water, theft, malicious damage, subsidence, landslip or heave.

Contents cover

Protects your household contents — including furniture, clothing, appliances, gadgets and valuables — against events like fire, flood and theft. Cover is provided on a new for old basis.

from £25,000

Alternative accommodation

We’ll help cover the cost of temporary accommodation for you and your pets if your home becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event. If you stay with friends or family instead, we’ll cover your extra living costs.

up to £10,000

Home emergency

Covers sudden, unexpected emergencies — such as an uncontrollable leak — that require immediate action to prevent damage or secure your home. Two levels of cover are available, for different types of insured loss. 

up to £500

Covers legal costs for certain insured events. There must be a reasonable chance of success, and the incident must happen during your policy term. Two levels of cover are available, for different types of insured loss. 

up to £25,000

Liability cover

Covers your legal liability for accidental death, injury or illness to someone else, or damage to their property.

up to £5 million

Personal possessions

Covers items you wear, carry or use outside the home (e.g. clothing, bags and sports equipment).

Optional

Gadgets, bikes and valuables away from the home

Optional cover for mobile phones, laptops, tablets, watches, jewellery, hearing aids and other high-risk items you take out of your home.

Optional

Accidental damage

Optional cover for unexpected mishaps around the home — such as breakages, spillages or damage caused by you, your guests or wild animals Two levels of cover are available

Optional

New Customer?

If you’re deciding on whether to buy home insurance with us, you can use our latest policy booklets as a guide.

Existing Customer?

Your latest policy documents are available to view and download.

Prefer to SPEAK WITH us?

Our insurance experts are on hand if you have any questions.