The insurers with the strongest landlord policies depend on what you own and what risks matter most to you
No single insurer is "best" for all landlords because the policies differ in what they cover, how much they cost, and which properties they will insure. A buy-to-let investor with a single terraced house in Manchester has different needs from someone with five flats in London, and the premiums and cover options reflect that. The strongest providers for landlord insurance in the UK include Direct Line, Zurich, Endsleigh, Landlord Protect, and Pinnacle, but each suits different situations. Direct Line and Zurich offer broad cover and competitive rates for standard properties. Endsleigh specialises in landlord policies and often handles claims faster. Landlord Protect focuses on landlords with problem tenants or difficult claims histories. Pinnacle covers higher-value properties and specialist risks.
The right choice depends on three things: the type of property you own, whether you want buildings cover, contents cover, or both, and your claims history. A new landlord with a standard semi-detached house will find better rates and simpler policies from mainstream insurers. A landlord with a history of tenant disputes or a non-standard property — a converted barn, a house in multiple occupation (HMO), or a property with sitting tenants — will need a specialist provider and will pay more.
Key Takeaways
- Direct Line and Zurich offer competitive rates and broad cover for standard rental properties, making them the first choice for most new landlords.
- Endsleigh specialises in landlord insurance and often settles claims faster than mainstream insurers, though premiums are slightly higher.
- Landlord Protect and similar specialists will insure properties and landlords that mainstream insurers refuse, but expect to pay 30 to 50 per cent more in premium.
- Buildings cover protects the structure and permanent fixtures; contents cover protects furniture and fittings you provide — most landlords need both, and bundling them saves money.
- Comparing quotes from at least three providers takes 20 minutes and usually saves £100 to £300 a year, because premiums vary widely for identical properties.
What Direct Line and Zurich cover, and when to use them
Direct Line and Zurich are the largest mainstream insurers offering landlord cover in the UK. Both will insure standard properties — detached, semi-detached, terraced houses and purpose-built flats — with standard tenancies and no claims history. Direct Line's landlord policies include buildings cover (the structure, roof, fitted kitchens, bathrooms), contents cover (furniture, carpets, white goods you provide), and liability cover (if a tenant or visitor is injured on the property). Zurich offers the same structure but with slightly different excess levels and optional add-ons like legal expenses cover.
Use Direct Line or Zurich if you own one or two properties, the property is a standard house or flat, your tenants have been vetted through a letting agent, and you have no previous claims or disputes. Both insurers price competitively for this profile — expect to pay £150 to £400 a year for buildings and contents combined, depending on the property value and location. Both also offer discounts if you insure multiple properties with them or if you bundle landlord cover with your personal home insurance.
The weakness of both insurers is that they decline or heavily load premiums for non-standard properties, sitting tenants, or any history of tenant disputes. If a previous claim was rejected or if you have had an eviction, they will either refuse to quote or add a loading of 50 per cent or more to the premium.
Endsleigh: specialist landlord cover with faster claims handling
Endsleigh is a specialist broker that arranges landlord insurance rather than underwriting it directly. It works with multiple insurers behind the scenes and routes your claim to the one most likely to settle it quickly. For landlords, this matters because Endsleigh's claims team has experience with rental disputes and knows which underwriter will move fastest on a particular type of claim.
Endsleigh will insure a wider range of properties than Direct Line or Zurich — including HMOs, converted buildings, and properties with sitting tenants — though premiums are 10 to 20 per cent higher for standard properties. The real advantage is claims handling: if you need to claim for damage caused by a tenant, unpaid rent, or malicious damage, Endsleigh's team will guide you through the process and chase the underwriter on your behalf. Average claims settlement time with Endsleigh is 4 to 6 weeks; with mainstream insurers it can stretch to 8 to 12 weeks.
Use Endsleigh if you own three or more properties, if you have had a claim in the past five years, or if you want someone to handle the claims process for you. The premium is higher, but the faster settlement and specialist support often justify it for landlords with multiple properties or a history of tenant issues.
Landlord Protect and other specialists for difficult cases
Landlord Protect, Insure4Less, and similar specialists exist to insure landlords and properties that mainstream insurers refuse. This includes landlords with a history of tenant disputes, evictions, or rejected claims; properties with sitting tenants; HMOs; and non-standard buildings like converted barns or listed properties. These insurers know the rental market and understand that a previous eviction does not mean you are a bad landlord — it means you had a difficult tenant.
The trade-off is cost. Specialist insurers charge 30 to 50 per cent more than mainstream providers for the same property, because they are taking on higher risk and because their claims rates are higher. A property that costs £250 a year to insure with Direct Line might cost £350 to £400 with a specialist. However, if you cannot get a quote from mainstream insurers, the specialist premium is the only option.
Use a specialist insurer if you have been declined by Direct Line, Zurich, or Endsleigh; if you have had an eviction or a rejected claim; if you own an HMO or non-standard property; or if you are a new landlord with no rental history and mainstream insurers are asking for a loading. Landlord Protect, in particular, has a reputation for transparent pricing and will tell you upfront whether they can insure the property and at what cost.
Buildings cover versus contents cover: what you actually need
Buildings cover protects the structure of the property, the roof, fitted kitchens, fitted bathrooms, permanent fixtures, and anything that is part of the building itself. It covers damage from fire, flood, subsidence, vandalism, and theft. Most mortgage lenders require buildings cover as a condition of the loan, so if you have a mortgage on the property, you must have it.
Contents cover protects moveable items you provide for the tenant: furniture, carpets, curtains, white goods (washing machine, cooker, fridge), and decorations. It does not cover items the tenant brings themselves. Contents cover is optional if you own the property outright, but most landlords provide at least basic furniture and white goods, so contents cover is usually worth the extra £30 to £60 a year.
Most insurers offer a discount if you bundle buildings and contents together — typically 10 to 15 per cent off the combined premium. If you are comparing quotes, always compare the same combination (buildings only, contents only, or both) across all insurers, because the discounts vary and can swing the decision.
How to compare quotes and what affects the price
Landlord insurance premiums vary by insurer, property type, location, and your claims history. The same three-bedroom semi-detached house in Bristol might cost £180 with Direct Line, £210 with Zurich, and £240 with Endsleigh. Getting three quotes takes 15 to 20 minutes and usually saves £100 to £300 a year.
When you request a quote, have the following information ready: the property address and postcode, the type of building (detached, semi, terraced, flat), the year it was built, the rebuild cost (for buildings cover), the number of bedrooms, whether it is let furnished or unfurnished, the type of tenancy (assured shorthold, assured, or other), the rent you charge, and your claims history in the past five years. Insurers use all of this to calculate risk, and missing information will delay the quote or result in a higher premium.
The biggest factors affecting price are location (inner London costs more than rural areas), property type (flats are cheaper than houses), rebuild cost (higher values cost more to insure), and claims history (any claim in the past five years adds a loading). Excess levels also matter: choosing a higher excess (£500 instead of £250) will lower the premium by 10 to 15 per cent, but you will pay more out of pocket if you claim.
Add-ons and optional extras worth considering
Most landlord policies include basic cover, but optional add-ons can protect you against specific risks. Legal expenses cover pays for a solicitor if you need to evict a tenant or pursue an unpaid rent claim — this costs £20 to £40 a year and can save you £1,000 to £3,000 if you ever need it. Rent may provide cover reimburses you for lost rent if a tenant stops paying — this is expensive (£200 to £400 a year) and has strict conditions, so read the small print before buying.
Accidental damage cover extends the policy to cover damage the tenant caused by accident, not just malice — this adds £30 to £60 a year and is worth having if you provide expensive furniture or white goods. Unoccupied property cover extends the policy if the property is empty between tenancies — most standard policies only cover it for 30 days, so if you expect longer gaps, this add-on is essential.
Do not buy add-ons you do not need. Rent may provide cover, in particular, is sold hard by brokers because it is profitable, but it rarely pays out because the conditions are strict and the tenant must be in arrears for a long time before the cover kicks in. Legal expenses cover and accidental damage cover are more useful and more likely to be needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need landlord insurance if I have a mortgage?
Yes. Your mortgage lender will require buildings cover as a condition of the loan. Standard home insurance does not cover rental properties, so you must take out a landlord policy. If you do not, the lender can force you to buy it and add the cost to your mortgage payments.
What is the difference between assured shorthold tenancy and assured tenancy cover?
Assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) are the standard rental agreement in England and Wales — they run for a fixed term (usually 6 or 12 months) and give you the right to evict at the end without reason. Assured tenancies are older agreements that give tenants more rights and make eviction harder. Most insurers charge the same for both, but some load the premium for assured tenancies because they are harder to end.
Can I insure a property with a sitting tenant?
Yes, but only with specialist insurers like Endsleigh or Landlord Protect. Mainstream insurers decline sitting tenants because they cannot easily be removed if the property is damaged or needs major repairs. Specialist premiums are 20 to 40 per cent higher for sitting tenants than for vacant properties or standard tenancies.
What happens if my tenant damages the property and refuses to pay?
Your buildings or contents cover will pay for the damage if it is malicious or accidental (depending on your policy). You will need to report it to the insurer with photos and evidence. You can also pursue the tenant through the small claims court for the cost, but this is slow and the tenant may not have the money to pay. Legal expenses cover will pay for a solicitor to help you recover the cost.
How often should I review my landlord insurance?
At least once a year, when your policy renews. Insurers often increase premiums at renewal even if nothing has changed, so shopping around each year can save money. If you have made changes to the property, added another property, or had a claim, review your cover when ready to make sure it still matches your needs.