Winter exposes gaps in many landlords’ insurance policies
Letting agents and property managers often see the earliest signs of winter-related problems:
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Burst pipes
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Leaks
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Storm damage
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Unoccupied properties creating risk
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Tenants reporting heating or damp issues
When a landlord then makes a claim, one issue commonly determines whether the claim pays smoothly or whether there are delays, shortfalls, or disputes:
Underinsurance.
A significant number of UK properties are believed to be underinsured. For landlords, this can mean:
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Claims for escape of water or storm damage paid at only a fraction of the true cost
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Repairs delayed due to reduced payouts
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Unexpected financial burdens during void periods
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Difficult conversations with agents when outcomes fall short of expectations
Agents are not responsible for the landlord’s sums insured — but you are often the one landlords turn to when something doesn’t add up.
What underinsurance means in practice
Underinsurance can reduce any claim, not just large ones.
Example:
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True rebuild cost: £250,000
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Sum insured: £187,500 (25% underinsured)
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Winter leak claim: £10,000
If the insurer applies “average”:
£10,000 × (187,500 ÷ 250,000) = £7,500 paid
Landlord must fund the remaining £2,500
When this happens, landlords frequently ask agents:
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“Why wasn’t this spotted sooner?”
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“Why is the insurer reducing my claim?”
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“What do I do now?”
This is exactly why understanding the signs of underinsurance helps agents support better outcomes — without giving insurance advice.
Three key underinsurance warning signs agents can look out for
You are not responsible for insurance advice. But you do have valuable visibility that landlords often lack.
1. Outdated rebuild values
A rebuild figure not reviewed in years is a major red flag.
If you know a landlord has completed:
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Refurbishments
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Extensions
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Loft conversions
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HMO reconfiguration
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Material upgrades
…this is a good moment to prompt them to check their sums insured.
2. Property descriptions that don’t reflect reality
Common mismatches include:
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A small HMO insured as a single-family let
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Properties described as standard construction when they are not
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Leasehold flats with communal areas not reflected in the policy
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Properties with major changes not updated in documentation
These discrepancies can lead to claims being questioned.
3. Unoccupancy during winter voids
Insurance policies often contain conditions relating to:
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Heating
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Regular inspections
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Securing the property
Agents cannot advise on the meaning of these terms — but you can prompt landlords to check their own policy wording before a winter void begins.
How landlords can obtain accurate rebuild values
Landlords have two reliable options:
Option 1: ABI/BCIS Rebuild Calculator
Suitable for many standard-construction properties:
abi.bcis.co.uk
Option 2: Professional Rebuild Cost Assessment
Best for older, extended, high-value, or non-standard properties.
NetRent provides access to a professional Rebuild Cost Assessment service:
netrentinsuranceservices.co.uk/rebuild-cost-assessment/
Agents can simply direct landlords to review their sums insured using these tools.
How NetRent & Clear genuinely support landlords — accurately and within FCA rules
NetRent is one of the UK’s largest introducers of landlord insurance.
Our partner, Clear Insurance Management Ltd, is an independent Chartered insurance broker with a dedicated landlord insurance team.
What NetRent & Clear can do:
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Review the landlord’s existing policy and highlight areas of concern
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Explain potential implications of outdated sums insured
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Provide quotations from suitable insurers
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Offer in-house claims support — only for policies placed through Clear
How agents can use this information — without giving advice
Even if you do not introduce landlords to NetRent, you can still protect relationships by prompting landlords at the right moments:
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“Have you updated your rebuild value since your refurb?”
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“You mentioned you’ve extended the property — have you updated your insurance?”
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“The property will be empty in winter — please check your insurance conditions.”
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“Before your renewal, it’s worth checking if your sums insured are still accurate.”
These prompts do not constitute advice — they simply encourage landlords to check their own policy and take action if needed.
If landlords want a more detailed review contact NetRent.
What landlords can do next
If a landlord contacts NetRent:
We can review their existing insurance schedule and highlight possible areas of concern.
If they wish to obtain new cover,
Clear can arrange policies and provide claims support.
We always remind landlords that they must provide correct rebuild values, using the ABI/BCIS calculator or a professional assessment.
Regulatory note
NetRent Insurance Services is a trading name of NetRent Ltd.
NetRent Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Clear Insurance Management Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
This article provides general information only and does not constitute advice.
Contact us
Telephone: 01352 721300
Email: insurance@netrent.co.uk
Landlords can contact us directly for an insurance review if they have concerns about their existing policy.