Do renters need insurance?
When renting, tenants don’t usually need to take out buildings insurance. The landlord is generally responsible for arranging this cover, which is for the building itself. But this won’t cover any of your belongings inside the property. This is covered by contents insurance, which is arranged by the person renting the home.
So, contents insurance for tenants can help to protect your personal items. While there’s no legal requirement to have contents insurance as a tenant, it can help with the cost of fixing or replacing your belongings inside a rented house or flat. Tenant’s insurance covers what’s inside your home – not the building itself.
What does tenant contents insurance cover?
Tenant contents insurance can help to protect your belongings. If you were burgled, or a fire broke out at your rental property, items and furniture could be damaged or stolen. But if you tally up how much your items are worth altogether, the total may be more than you could afford to replace. This is where contents insurance comes in by helping to pay for replacements and repairs.
Our Sainsbury’s Bank Contents Insurance can be used as tenant’s insurance cover.
Here’s what you can expect as standard with our policy:
Contents cover
With our contents cover for tenants you could access up to £75,000 in a lump sum, or up to £2,000 for a single item. We can help to make sure you’re not out-of-pocket should you fall victim to a burglary or vandalism, or if your property is affected by flooding or a fire.
Accidental damage cover
Accidents happen. But if you spilt coffee over your laptop or smashed a mirror, you could get more than seven years bad luck. Our policy may be able to help with the cost of a replacement. As standard your policy will include accidental damage to:
- Games consoles
- Electronic tablets
- TVs, audio and video equipment.
Device and mobile phone cover
Protect your mobile devices and gadgets in case they’re stolen from your home. Technology doesn’t come cheap – and it can be a real headache to replace without contents cover. If you want to add extra cover to protect your devices while you’re out of the house, you can add our Personal Possessions Cover to your policy as an optional extra.
Jewellery cover
You can’t put a price on sentimental value. But up to £25,000 cover towards precious pieces that have been stolen or damaged can go a long way. You get jewellery cover for single items up to £2,000 included in your policy. If a special item – like an engagement ring – is worth more than this, you need to specify it as part of your quote. You can also add Personal Possessions Cover to your policy as an optional extra to cover items when you’re away from home.
Bike cover
If someone takes your (two) wheels, it can seriously interrupt your day-to-day life. Whether your bike is your primary mode of transport or not – if someone steals it, it can derail a lot of things. With our policy we can pay up to £750 to replace it. For even more protection, you can add on personal possession cover to protect your bike away from home.
Do I need renters’ insurance in the UK?
In the UK, renters’ insurance isn’t a legal requirement. But there are clear benefits to taking out a policy. If you can afford to do so, it may help alleviate worry and stress should the worst happen.
Contents insurance for tenants includes cover for:
- Theft (when there’s evidence of forced entry)
- Fire or flooding
- Weather damage
- Accidental damage to some of your belongings
- Furniture in a furnished rental
- Electricals
- Jewellery
- Clothes
- Shoes
What is tenant’s liability insurance?
Tenant’s liability insurance covers accidental damage to your landlord’s property or furnishings . It typically covers common things landlords may deduct from a tenant’s deposit, like spilling wine on the carpet. It usually doesn’t cover wear and tear or any intentional damage.
With tenant’s liability insurance, your insurer will pay for loss or damage to the fittings and fixtures of your rental home – up to policy limits.
Sainsbury’s Bank Contents Insurance for renters includes tenant’s liability insurance as standard. But please note it does not cover damage to:
- Your home while it’s unoccupied or unfurnished
- Property you or your family own
- Gates, fences or hedges
Optional extras available with contents insurance
Enhanced accidental damage cover
For an additional cost you can add enhanced accidental cover to your contents insurance policy. This unlocks extra protection against the cost of repairing things that get damaged by accident. It offers cover for belongings, household items and damage caused by you or guests.
Personal possessions cover
Put your mind at ease with our personal possessions cover that can be added to your contents insurance. It provides cover for valuables that you wear or carry. So, you can breathe a sigh of relief that your precious items are protected – whether you’re at home or on the go. We can even cover your items abroad for up to 60 days.
Frequently asked questions
Is tenants content insurance worth it?
While it’s not essential, contents insurance for tenants can be useful. If something in the home you’re renting gets damaged or is broken, you could be held liable for replacing it. Contents insurance may help you to fund the replacements.
Do I need tenant’s contents insurance?
While it’s not a legal requirement, tenant’s contents insurance may allow you a sigh of relief if anything goes wrong while you’re renting. If you damage your landlord’s home or furniture you may be charged – and tenant’s content insurance can help with this.
Can I get insurance if I’m renting?
If you live in a rented property, you won’t need insurance to protect the building, but you can choose to take out contents insurance for your own belongings. Tenant’s liability insurance is also available to protect you financially if your landlord’s furniture is damaged.
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