How to compare policies properly — and the five questions that stop landlords buying a nasty surprise
It’s tempting to treat landlord insurance like a commodity
Most landlords have had the same experience:
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Renewal comes in
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The premium has moved
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You shop around
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A cheaper quote appears
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You think: “It’s buildings and liability — how different can it be?”
Sometimes it isn’t very different.
But when it is different, the consequences show up at claim time.
This post is about avoiding the most common trap in landlord insurance:
Assuming cheaper automatically means “same but better value”.
Myth vs Reality
Myth: If it’s called “landlord insurance”, it’s basically the same cover
Reality: Policies can look similar in headlines but behave very differently in the detail.
Two quotes can both say “Landlord Buildings Insurance” and still differ materially on:
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What’s included as standard vs optional
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Conditions during unoccupied periods
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How certain claims are treated (especially water damage, tenant damage, gradual damage disputes)
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Limits (e.g., liability, trace & access, alternative accommodation)
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Excesses (sometimes the hidden cost)
The cheapest quote is sometimes cheaper because it’s based on different assumptions — or because key items are limited.
The five questions that compare quotes properly
If you only ask one thing, ask this:
1) Does the documentation match how the property is actually used?
Most claim friction starts here.
Examples of mismatch:
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Short-term/holiday style use described as a standard long-term let
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Multi-occupancy arrangements described as a single-family let
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Frequent voids not considered
If the description is wrong, the quote may be meaningless.
2) What’s different about excesses and key sub-limits?
Premiums often drop when:
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excesses are higher, or
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sub-limits reduce the amount paid for common claim elements.
Ask specifically about:
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Escape of water excess
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Storm excess (if applicable)
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Trace & access limit
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Alternative accommodation / loss of rent limits
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Accidental damage / tenant damage terms (if included)
3) What are the key conditions during unoccupied periods?
A policy can be great while occupied and restrictive when unoccupied.
Even landlords with “always tenanted” properties have voids:
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Changeovers
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Refurbs
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Evictions
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Delayed lets
Ask: what changes if the property is unoccupied?
(And what the landlord must do to maintain cover.)
4) What does “tenant damage” actually mean on this policy?
This varies hugely.
Some policies:
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include accidental damage but not malicious damage
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exclude certain scenarios entirely
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treat tenant damage differently depending on tenancy type
The wording matters — and the assumptions landlords make here often cause disappointment.
5) What happens if something goes wrong — and who helps?
This is where the “package” matters.
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Who is your broker contact?
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What happens if there’s a complex claim?
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Do you have support to keep the process moving?
Important clarity:
Clear’s in-house claims support applies only to policies arranged through Clear.
A quick, important note on rebuild values
Quotes are only meaningful if the inputs are correct.
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Landlords (or their agent) must provide correct rebuild values / sums insured basis
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Neither NetRent nor Clear can calculate rebuild costs for you
If you want to check a rebuild figure, you can use the ABI/BCIS calculator or commission a professional assessment (NetRent offers access to a Rebuild Cost Assessment service). We can explain options, but the rebuild value must come from you or a professional you appoint.
Quote Comparison (“Give us a try”)
If you’re renewing or insured elsewhere, here’s a simple next step:
Request a landlord insurance quotation and comparison
We’ll:
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Ask the questions that make quotes genuinely comparable
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Explain meaningful differences (not just premium)
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Highlight any assumptions that could lead to surprises later
If you decide to arrange cover through our partner broker, Clear, you’ll have access to Clear’s in-house claims support for policies arranged through Clear.
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 is general information only and does not constitute advice.
Contact us
Telephone: 01352 721300
Email: insurance@netrent.co.uk
Want a quote comparison?
Call or email us with your renewal date and a copy of your policy schedule — we’ll take it from there.