Until recently, finding home insurance if you are a tenant was extremely hard and even if you did find it you were expected to pay way over the odds for it. However, with the rise in the number of people choosing to rent rather than buy, home insurance for the tenant is now much easier to find and also fairer.
Certain companies have taken to specialising in insurance for those who rent and it can be a worthwhile investment when renting. Taking out a policy can insure you for the deposit you paid the landlord and also for any unforeseen events which could occur while you are a tenant.
It is imperative to shop around when looking for insurance and go to a specialist in tenant policies. If you don’t, then while you could get insurance, you may find yourself paying way over the odds. The area in which you are renting will be taken into account when taking out a policy so be sure to ask that your area is covered.
All companies will ask you how much you need to be insured for and when asked this you should remember that it is the contents of the home, not the property itself, that you will want to insure. So when taking this into account, tot up the value of everything in your home and don’t overlook anything.
Other considerations you should take into account when purchasing tenant insurance is for items such as the contents of your freezer. Expensive items like digital cameras, bicycles and a laptop computer should also be thought about.
However these might not be included in a standard tenant’s policy so you should enquire as to exactly what and what is not covered in the policy. However if you are taking such items as a laptop computer out of the home this will require separate cover if stolen while off the property.
Usually a standard tenant’s policy will insure your possessions between £3,000 and £40,000. Up to 6 people living in one apartment will be covered under the same policy and coverage for items that are left in outbuildings and garages will usually be included in the premium, provided it can be proved reasonable force was used if they are stolen.
By: David Thomson -