Home buildings/contents insurance when you have a lodger

katejo

I have had a lodger for several years and have found that this restricts my choice of insurer quite a bit. Many of them refuse to make any distinction between someone who lets out 1 room in their own house and a professional landlord with multiple lettings. I have used Aviva (when still norwich Union) and am now with Direct Line. Other insurance companies have said that I would have to buy expensive landlord insurance.

I wonder whether it makes any difference if you contact your current insurer to say that you are taking a lodger. Do they then still refuse or accept it because you already have a policy with them? I have not been able to test this.

I also wonder whether many homeowners with lodgers don't realise the need to let their insurer know that they have a lodger.

forgotmyname

If their terms dont allow lodgers then they would cancel the policy.

Same as you forgetting to tell them. In the event of a claim they may find out and cancel the policy leaving you with no cover.

katejo

OK thanks! Has anyone found other specific insurers who do cover an owner with 1 lodger? Halifax said they would but I haven't used them due to seeing bad reviews about other aspects of their service.