Landlords Insurance Guide
Landlords Insurance Guide — guidance and information from Ipswich Insurance Brokers, a Steadfast and CBN member broker.
What is landlords insurance?
Landlords insurance is designed for residential properties that are tenanted or available for rent. It differs from standard home insurance in that it accommodates the landlord-tenant relationship, provides loss of rent cover following insured events, and addresses liability exposures specific to property ownership rather than occupancy. Standard home insurance is not appropriate for investment properties.
What this cover may include
Cover availability and terms vary between insurers and depend on individual circumstances. Subject to acceptance, a policy may include:
- Building cover — structure, fixtures and permanent elements
- Loss of rent — rental income foregone while uninhabitable following an insured event
- Landlord liability — third-party injury or property damage claims
- Tenant damage (where available — significant conditions and evidence requirements)
Common exclusions to be aware of
The following are commonly excluded under standard policy wordings. Specific exclusions vary between insurers — always review the Product Disclosure Statement before purchasing.
- Rent default through tenant non-payment (separate product — often misunderstood)
- Vacancy beyond standard periods (may affect acceptance)
- Short-stay or Airbnb use (different underwriting category)
- Contents belonging to tenants (their own contents insurance)
- Building works without notification
How to arrange landlords insurance through Ipswich Insurance Brokers
- Submit a quote request or contact us directly to discuss your requirements
- We collect relevant information and approach appropriate markets
- We compare policy terms and conditions across insurers and present options
- We arrange binding and issue documentation once you confirm instructions
As a Steadfast and CBN member broker, Ipswich Insurance Brokers has access to a broad panel of approved insurers. We act on your behalf — not on behalf of any insurer. Our remuneration is disclosed in our Financial Services Guide.
General guidance — not personal advice
The information on this page is general guidance only. It does not constitute personal advice and does not take into account your individual circumstances. Before arranging any insurance, you should consider your specific needs and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement. Our Disclaimer applies to all content on this site.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a standard home insurance policy for a rental property?
No — standard home and contents insurance is designed for owner-occupied properties. For properties that are tenanted, landlords insurance provides the appropriate cover structure including loss of rent, landlord liability and cover that accommodates the tenancy arrangement. Using an owner-occupier policy for a rental property may result in a claim being declined.
Does landlords insurance cover tenant damage?
Some landlords policies include a tenant malicious damage or accidental damage extension, subject to significant conditions — evidence of damage, police reports where relevant, and departure following proper notice. Coverage, limits and conditions vary considerably between insurers. We review what is available and the specific conditions during placement.
Is loss of rent the same as rent default insurance?
No. Loss of rent under a landlords policy covers rental income foregone while the property is uninhabitable following an insured event — for example, fire or flood damage that requires the tenant to vacate during repairs. Rent default — a tenant stopping payment of rent while still occupying the property — is a separate, specialist product. We can discuss both during placement.
What to look for when comparing landlords insurance policies
When reviewing options, the following points are worth considering. This is general guidance — the right approach depends on your specific situation.
Confirm that the building sum insured reflects current rebuild cost. Review the loss of rent cover — confirm the indemnity period and how ‘uninhabitable’ is defined. Check the tenant damage extension — understand the evidence requirements and conditions before relying on it. Confirm that vacancy periods and any change in tenancy type are notified to the insurer. Review the landlord liability limit. Confirm that any body corporate insurance does not create overlap or gap with the landlords policy for strata properties.
For more detailed information, see our Landlords Insurance page.
About Ipswich Insurance Brokers
Ipswich Insurance Brokers is a Steadfast and CBN member broker operating under an Australian Financial Services Licence. We act on your behalf — not on behalf of any insurer. We compare options across a broad panel of approved insurers, arrange cover, provide documentation and support claims. We are remunerated by commission from the insurer, disclosed in our Financial Services Guide. All information on this page is general guidance only — see our Disclaimer.
Landlords insurance requirements vary between properties — a single residential rental requires different cover from a multi-tenancy building or a short-stay investment property. We assess each property individually and approach markets that are appropriate for the specific tenancy type, building construction and location. See our Landlords Insurance page for more information.