Owning an investment property comes with risks that go beyond physical damage to the building. Tenant-related issues, rental income interruptions and liability exposures can all impact your cash flow and returns. Landlord Insurance is designed to protect property owners against these risks and help provide financial stability when things don’t go to plan.

At Rivergum Insurance Brokers, we help landlords understand what’s covered, what isn’t, and how to structure insurance that reflects how their investment property is actually used.

What Is Landlord Insurance?

Landlord Insurance is a specialist form of property insurance designed for residential investment properties that are rented or available for rent.

It typically combines:

• Building cover (if you own the structure), and

• Landlord-specific protections, such as loss of rent and tenant-related risks

This type of cover is different from owner-occupied home insurance and is specifically structured around rental exposures.

What Does Landlord Insurance Typically Cover?

Cover varies by insurer and policy, but landlord insurance often includes:

Building Cover

Cover for the building against insured events such as:

• Fire and explosion

• Storm, hail and water damage

• Impact damage

• Theft and vandalism

(Where applicable, flood cover may be optional and location-dependent.)

Contents Cover (Landlord Fixtures)

Cover for items you own that are provided as part of the rental, such as:

• Carpets and flooring

• Curtains and blinds

• Fixed appliances and light fittings

This does not cover the tenant’s personal belongings.

Loss of Rent Cover

What Is Loss of Rent?

Loss of rent cover protects your rental income if your property becomes unliveable due to an insured event, such as fire or storm damage.

This cover can help replace lost rental income while:

• Repairs are carried out, or

• The property is being rebuilt

Loss of rent is typically limited by:

• A maximum time period (e.g. 12 months), and

• A maximum dollar amount

Why Loss of Rent Is Important

Rental income is often relied upon to:

• Meet mortgage repayments

• Cover outgoings and maintenance

• Support personal cash flow

Without loss of rent cover, landlords may need to absorb these costs themselves following a major claim.

Rent Default Insurance

What Is Rent Default?

Rent default insurance (sometimes called rental default or tenant default cover) responds when a tenant:

• Stops paying rent, or

• Breaks the lease and leaves owing rent

This cover is designed to protect landlords from non-payment of rent, rather than property damage.

What Does Rent Default Insurance Usually Cover?

Depending on the policy, rent default cover may include:

• Unpaid rent up to a specified limit

• Loss of rent following tenant abandonment

• Loss of rent while the property is being re-let after a default

Policies often require:

• A valid lease agreement

• Evidence of tenant arrears and enforcement action

• Compliance with property management procedures

Important Considerations

Rent default cover:

• Is usually subject to waiting periods and limits

• Does not cover rent that was never legally due

• May require the property to be professionally managed

Understanding these conditions upfront is essential.

Tenant-Related Damage & Liability

Many landlord insurance policies also include cover for:

Malicious or Intentional Damage

Damage caused deliberately by tenants or their guests, subject to policy terms.

Accidental Tenant Damage

Some policies extend cover to accidental damage caused by tenants.

Legal Liability

Protection if a tenant or visitor is injured at the property and you are held legally liable.

Common Exclusions & Limitations

Landlord policies generally exclude or limit cover for:

• Wear and tear or gradual deterioration

• Maintenance-related issues

• Poor property condition

• Certain tenant disputes not involving insured events

Regular inspections and property maintenance remain essential.

Why Landlord Insurance Is Different to Standard Home Insurance

Standard home insurance is usually designed for owner-occupied properties. If a property is rented out:

• Claims may be declined

• Certain covers may not apply

• Tenant-related risks may be excluded

Landlord Insurance is specifically structured to address rental income and tenant exposures.

Why Arrange Landlord Insurance Through Rivergum?

As brokers, we help landlords:

• Understand differences between landlord policies

• Structure appropriate building, contents and rent covers

• Review rent default and loss of rent limits

• Identify gaps between insurance and lease arrangements

• Navigate claims when issues arise

Our focus is on helping you protect both your property and your income stream.

Speak With Us

If you own a residential investment property and want to review your Landlord Insurance — or understand whether rent default and loss of rent cover are appropriate — we’re here to help.

Short-Term Rentals & Airbnb Insurance

Short-term accommodation — including Airbnb, Stayz and other holiday-letting platforms — changes your risk profile significantly.

Why Airbnb Is Different

Short-term guests are not traditional tenants. Properties used for short-stay accommodation often experience:

• Higher guest turnover

• Increased wear and tear

• Greater liability exposure due to frequent visitors

• Different expectations around damage and cleaning

Because of this, standard landlord insurance may not automatically apply to Airbnb or short-term rentals.

Does Standard Landlord Insurance Cover Airbnb?

In many cases:

• Owner-occupied home insurance will not cover short-term letting

• Standard landlord insurance may exclude or limit cover if the property is used for short-stay accommodation

Some insurers require:

• The short-term rental use to be declared upfront

• A specific short-term rental or holiday letting policy

• Endorsements or higher premiums to reflect increased risk

Failure to disclose Airbnb use can result in reduced cover or declined claims.

What Does Airbnb / Short-Term Rental Insurance Typically Cover?

Specialist short-term rental insurance may include:

• Building and contents cover for guest damage

• Loss of booking income following an insured event

• Liability cover for guest injury

• Malicious damage by guests

• Optional cover for furnishings and appliances

Cover limits, exclusions and conditions vary significantly between insurers.

What About Airbnb’s Host Guarantee or Host Protection?

Platforms like Airbnb provide certain protections, but these:

• Are not a substitute for insurance

• Are subject to strict conditions and exclusions

• May not cover all damage or liability scenarios

Dedicated insurance provides clearer certainty and independent claims support.

Why Disclosure Matters

It’s critical to disclose:

• Whether the property is used for short-term rental

• How frequently it’s let

• Whether it’s exclusively short-term or mixed use

This ensures your insurance responds as expected.

Why Arrange Landlord & Airbnb Insurance Through Rivergum?

We help property owners:

• Understand how rental type affects cover

• Compare landlord vs short-term rental insurance options

• Structure appropriate loss of rent or booking income cover

• Avoid gaps caused by non-disclosure

• Navigate claims involving tenant or guest damage

Our role is to ensure your insurance aligns with how the property is actually used.

Contact Rivergum Insurance Brokers to discuss your property, rental arrangements and insurance needs.