What is Buy to Let Insurance UK? - the phrase
Property Insurance has become very popular in recent
years, although not strictly a type of insurance in its own right, it usually
refers to Building & Contents Insurance for property purchased for letting
purposes for a buy to let insurance uk. The policy is similar to the Building & Contents insurance you would
purchase for your own home, the perils covered are almost identical but the
policy is extended to give the correct liability cover for the property that is
let out. Depending on who is advising you, you may find buy to let insurance is
also called landlord insurance. If you want to take it one stage further there
are a number of policies that could fall under the buy to let or landlord
insurance heading and for your reference we list them below.
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Building Insurance
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Contents Insurance
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Legal Expenses
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Rent Guarantee
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Emergency Assistance
Building Insurance is the most popular contract
taken mainly because it is a condition of your mortgage that you have this form
of insurance in force throughout the period of your loan Lenders tend to follow
preset conditions laid out in a handbook issued by the council for mortgage
lenders so you are likely to find that who ever you obtain your Buy to Let
mortgage from , they are all going to want a similar insurance product and to
have their interest noted under the policy wording.
This is made slightly easier for you as Insurers
know that a certain range of perils has to be offered under a buy to let policy
as if the contract doesn't meet up with the lenders requirement's, they simply
won't lend you the money.
How is the Cost Calculated for Buy to Let
Building Insurance? - As with any type of insurance, there are a number of
“underwriting “ question that any insurer will require you to answer before you
receive your quotation.
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Type of Tenant- Different Insurers have
a different approach to this but we have found that the majority operate three
or four classes of tenant. The most acceptable form of tenant to an insurance
company is a professional or working tenant. Some have higher rates for
Students DSS or Housing Association. In some cases it may be a factor if the
contract for letting is not between the landlord and tenant. If you building
is unoccupied (as is frequently the case with new purchases, you should tell
the insurer as this may affect your cover). Whoever you call for your
quotation, be expected to be asked which group your tenant falls in to,
although we doubt if you will be asked for a precise occupation. If you are
operating a house in multiple occupation, you may find that the insurer will
want to rate it on the most expensive class of tenant.
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Risk Address - As with your own Home
Insurance, insurers rate by postcode, Usually up to seven rating bands are
employed with the highest rates reserved for those areas which insurers
consider must likely to produce subsidence and in some cases flood claims
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Sums Insured- In all but one case we
have found, you are free to choose your own sums insured and a “rate” is
charged based on your sum insured. Buildings should be insured for their full
reinstatement cost and if you have a mortgage of the property your lender will
give you instructions as to the sum insured required If you do not have a loan
on the property, we have found that the Association of British Insurers
produce a good guide on their website. They have a program which, if you input
the measurements of the property will calculate the rebuilding cost for you.
Many Landlords do not bother to insure Contents but if you do, you should
value them as new for insurance purposes. We have been unable to find any
insurer offering Contents Insurance for Landlords on any other basis.
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Previous Claims -Any previous claims,
whether insured or not should be advised to the insurance company, if you have
had a claim at your own home or other rental property you should also notify
this although from our inquiries this did not seem to impact on the premium.
How to I obtain Cheap Buy to Let Insurance?
- Buy to Let Insurance is a lot cheaper now than several years ago as many
more insurers are wanting to sell the product. In simple terms the only way we
have found to reduce your premiums is to phone around and make to make sure you
are getting the best deal. Consider using the services of a broker as they may
have access to more than one product and in effect will do your shopping around
for you. Ultimately though, you will have to satisfy yourself particularly if
you are looking for the cheapest buy to let insurance. Remember though,
sometimes the cheapest is not the best, you should study each insurers Key Facts
document to see the extent of the cover being offered to you. Compare the excess
( the first portion of the loss that you will be responsible for) between
policies and if you are in any doubt, ask questions or request to see a full
policy wording before you accept cover.
The Buy to Let Market
- There are many
buy
to let mortgages on the market and professional help should be sought
to obtain the right deal for your personal circumstances. Once you have
obtained your buy to let mortgage, the lender will want you to arrange a
buildings insurance ( you may add contents cover to this policy if you so
wish). This form of policy is often referred to as a buy to let policy or
buy to let buildings insurance, in fact it is really only a form of the
buildings policy you would expect to obtain for your own home. The range
of insurance perils covered is similar to your own home insurance and your
lender will insist that the cover satisfies the council of mortgage
lenders handbook conditions., This handbook defines a list of perils that
must to covered prior to any loan advance secured on the property. Typical
perils covered under a buy to let policy will be Fire,lightning,
earthquake, storm, tempest, flood, subsidence, landslip, heave etc. As
well as these standard perils, your buy to let insurance will also provide
loss of rent cover. Loss of rent cover under a building policy only
provides cover for rent you are unable to collect following an insured
peril at the insured property. It does not cover tenant failure to pay the
rent and this must be covered under a separate policy.
As well as loss of rent, a buy to let
buildings policy will also include property owners liability cover which will
cover your legal liability for claims arising out of your ownership of the
building. If you have supplied contents with your buy to let, you will need to
obtain a separate or combined policy as this will then provide you with the
necessary liability cover attached to your ownership and supply of the contents.
Often confusion arises as to when you should have you buy to let building
insurance policy start, unless directed otherwise by your solicitor, it should
start from the date you exchange contracts. From this date , you are legally
obliged to insure top purchase the building and thus it is advisable to place
insurance.
One of the most common delays in mortgage lenders releasing funds for buy to
let purchase, relates to the issue of insurance policy documents Lenders always
like to see a copy of the insurance policy schedule with confirmation that all
of the standard set of perils are covered. They also like to see their interest
noted on the policy schedule , this is to satisfy the contract rights act which
states that anyone having a financial interest in an item, needs to be noted on
an insurance policy schedule if they would expect to receive indemnity form the
policy in the event of an insurance claim.
Although you can obtain buy to let insurance relatively easily and cheaply,
not all insurers are able to issue immediate policy documents. Always contact a
broker or intermediary well in advance, to give them time to prepare your policy
documents.