Tenant Liability Insurance

Indypop

I have recently split from my partner of 10 yrs and we are currently in the process of him buying out my equity.
So I find myself renting privately for the first time ever.

I have found a private rental that I like and I have been advised that I need to take out tenants liability insurance.

What should I be looking for in a policy and any ideas who provides such an insurance?

Do I then still need contents insurance or does one do the job of both?

Many thanks
Indy

BitterAndTwisted

Who has advised you that you need this "tenant liability insurance" and what would it be insuring against?

Indypop

The rental agent said it was a condition of my tenancy to have this insurance and that I would need to show them proof I had taken it out.
I am assuming it is protecting the landlord against damage I might cause to the property that isn't covered by my deposit.

rs65

Most home insurance policies cover this. See page 25 of this link for example:-

http://www.aviva.co.uk/library/pdfs/home/NHDHG6080.pdf

BitterAndTwisted

Indypop wrote: »

The rental agent said it was a condition of my tenancy to have this insurance and that I would need to show them proof I had taken it out.
I am assuming it is protecting the landlord against damage I might cause to the property that isn't covered by my deposit.

In which case, and I suspect the agent will be coercing you to insure with a particular insurer, as they will be getting commission on the policy, you take out the insurance online, wave the confirmation email at the agent and then use the cooling-off period to cancel it.

Once you're in the property there's nothing they can do to force you to keep that insurance. They won't even know that you've done it.

Any accidental damage done to the landlord's property should be covered under their own insurance or paid for out of your deposit.

rs65

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

you take out the insurance online, wave the confirmation email at the agent and then use the cooling-off period to cancel it.

See my post above. It is included in most home contents insurance. Chances are the OP has it anyway.

Indypop

Thanks for the post - he didn't tell me to go with any company at all. It was suggested that I source it myself online and that many companies offer it.

Mozzanov

Indypop wrote: »

I have recently split from my partner of 10 yrs and we are currently in the process of him buying out my equity.
So I find myself renting privately for the first time ever.

I have found a private rental that I like and I have been advised that I need to take out tenants liability insurance.

What should I be looking for in a policy and any ideas who provides such an insurance?

Do I then still need contents insurance or does one do the job of both?

Many thanks
Indy

I had this question recently. Just an agent's scam (a check on the OFT's website revealed it as an unfair term - refer them to section 4.4 of this PDF). Just get contents insurance, most come to about £20-30 after cashback. Make sure you untick the optional extras some of them seem to add by default (such as legal advice and similar - knocked £20 off the policy cost).