Whether you own a single buy-to-let or manage a growing portfolio, you need insurance that gives peace of mind and protects your investment. With rising costs, shifting risks and more scrutiny than ever, choosing the right landlord insurance has never been more important.
So, what does the landscape look like this year, and which providers are standing out? Let’s explore the essentials of landlord cover and look at the five insurers landlords are turning to most in 2025.
What does landlord insurance cover?
Landlord insurance protects you against risks that standard home insurance does not. You are running a business, even if it is on a small scale, and that means added responsibilities. The most common areas of cover include:
- Buildings insurance to repair or rebuild if the property is damaged by fire, flood, storm or similar risks.
- Contents insurance to cover furniture, appliances or fixtures provided for tenants.
- Loss of rent to protect income if the property cannot be let due to damage.
- Liability cover in case a tenant or visitor is injured and holds you responsible.
- Legal expenses for disputes, eviction proceedings or tenant issues.
- Optional extras often include rent guarantee insurance, accidental damage and emergency cover.
Five landlord insurers to consider in 2025
When it comes to landlord insurance, these five providers stand out for their cover, flexibility and reliability:
- Direct Line for Business: a popular choice offering straightforward, flexible policies that suit professionals, students or HMOs. With optional extras like boiler cover and strong claims handling, Direct Line continues to provide landlords with reassurance and practical support.
- Aviva: a trusted household name delivering comprehensive buildings and contents cover, generous liability limits and useful add-ons. Aviva is especially strong for landlords managing multiple properties, offering portfolio policies that simplify administration and deliver long-term value alongside reliable customer support and protection.
- AXA: known for offering value and flexibility, AXA’s landlord cover works well for residential and commercial properties. Standard policies include accidental damage, subsidence and liability cover, with optional extras such as rent guarantee and legal expenses.
- Alan Boswell Group: highly respected for attentive customer service and detailed policies. Their cover often includes rent guarantee and legal expenses, offering peace of mind and dependable protection, particularly for landlords facing uncertain markets or varied tenant types.
- Simply Business: a leading broker platform giving landlords access to multiple insurers and competitive quotes. It allows policies to be built around individual circumstances, offering speed, flexibility and convenience for busy landlords who want choice and tailored solutions in one place.
How much does landlord insurance cost in 2025?
The cost of landlord insurance varies depending on property value, location, tenant type and the level of cover you choose. To give a rough guide:
- Basic buildings-only insurance for a small flat might start at around £200–£250 a year.
- A standard three-bed semi in a suburban area could be in the region of £300–£400 annually.
- Larger properties or HMOs, especially in higher-risk city locations, may see premiums of £600–£800 per year or more.
- Adding extras, such as rent guarantee cover, often increases the cost by £150–£200, while legal protection and accidental damage cover can each add around £50–£100 to the total.
These figures provide an indication of the costs for landlord insurance in 2025.
Get in touch
If you’re a landlord and are looking for help managing your property portfolio, please get in touch with the friendly team at Shortland Horne to see how we can help.