FAQs about damage protection
Some frequently asked questions on pet damage insurance
What types of damage does landlord pet insurance cover?
Pet damage insurance typically covers property damage caused by a tenant's pet, which could include scratched floors, stained carpets, or chewed furniture. It helps landlords manage repair or replacement costs due to pet-related damage.
How do you add pet damage cover to existing landlord insurance?
Not all landlord insurance companies offer pet damage insurance. If you are already a customer at Total Landlord, you can add our pet damage protection insurance to your current policy as an extension. Register your interest here. If you are a new customer, contact our team on 0203 907 1779 or get a quote online.
How much does pet damage protection insurance cost?
Total Landlord’s policy is priced at £134.40 per year (including Insurance Premium Tax), which works out at just over £11.20 per month. Landlords hold the policy directly, so they’re guaranteed access to the claims process. Insurance premiums are tax-deductible against rental income.
How does pet damage insurance work?
Total Landlord’s pet damage insurance provides financial protection for landlords against accidental damage caused by a tenant’s pet. This insurance covers repairs or replacements for property damage, such as scratched floors, stained carpets, or damaged furniture, that may occur due to a pet's actions.
Total Landlord’s pet damage protection insurance provides up to £2,500 in pet damage cover, available to the landlord once the initial security deposit has been exhausted. The deposit acts as the first port of call for pet related issues with the pet damage policy picking up the additional costs once the deposit has been exhausted.
Claims are conditional on landlords holding professional inventories/condition reports and claims being identified by agreement with the tenant, a dispute resolution decision by a government authorised tenancy deposit scheme or a court order. Landlords are required to have taken a traditional security deposit in accordance with the Tenant Fees Act and protected it with a formal tenancy deposit protection scheme.
Are there pet breed restrictions for pet damage insurance?
Total Landlord’s pet damage protection insurance covers domestic or tamed pets that are owned by the tenant and kept indoors at the premises. This includes common pets like dogs, cats, and small animals from guinea pigs to ferrets. The policy does not cover damage where the tenant is an animal or pet breeder.
Can I require tenants to have pet insurance?
Under the original Renters’ Rights Bill, tenants would have been required to comply with a request by the landlord to take out their own pet damage insurance, or reimburse the landlord for their costs of having pet damage insurance. However, following an amendment, this has now been removed and landlords will not be allowed to insist tenants take out pet insurance damage. With Total Landlord’s pet damage protection insurance, as the cover would be an extension of their landlord insurance policy, the landlord is in control of the claims and renewal process.
There are several benefits to the landlord maintaining control over the insurance policy:
If the tenant secures the policy, the landlord will need to carefully review it (or multiple policies if they own several properties) to make sure it is adequate and does not contain unacceptable exclusions
The policy could become invalid if the tenant fails to disclose relevant information or provides false details to the insurer
If the tenant is responsible for paying the premiums, the landlord would be unsighted if payments are missed or cover lapses
Some tenants may not seek permission to keep a pet, and in most cases, any resulting damage is only discovered at the end of the tenancy
The insurer would pay the tenant, making recovery of the costs of damage more difficult for the landlord
How to process a pet damage claim as a landlord?
To process a pet damage claim, start by documenting the damage with photos and a detailed report. Review the tenancy agreement to make sure the damage is covered under the pet policy.
Contact your insurance provider, submit the required documentation, and obtain repair estimates. Once everything is in place, file your claim and follow the provider's procedures for reimbursement or repair.
Can pet damage protection cover damage caused by multiple pets?
It depends on your pet policy. At Total Landlord, we offer comprehensive pet damage insurance for up to three pets, whether full or part time.
Are there limits to cover for pet damage in rental properties?
Yes, most policies do have cover limits. These limits could be in the form of financial caps or specific types of damage covered. It’s important to review different insurance options for pet-friendly rentals to fully understand the cover limits, exclusions, and the level of protection offered.
Total Landlord’s pet damage protection insurance provides up to £2,500 cover for damage to buildings or contents, available to the landlord once the initial standard deposit has been exhausted.
How to advertise my rental as pet-friendly with insurance covered?
Clearly state in your listing that pets are welcome, and mention that pet damage insurance is included.
Landlord insurance which includes the option of cover for pet damage offers significant benefits, and when combined with other measures, both landlords and tenants are more likely to have a positive experience. There are many advantages to renting to tenants with pets, and, once the Renters’ Rights Bill comes into force, landlords will need to accept that they may not be able to refuse a tenant’s request to keep a pet.
It’s important to prepare for the future of pets in lets by making sure you have a clear pet policy, including a pet damage clause in the tenancy agreement, and taking out pet damage protection at the start of the tenancy. Make sure that you renew the policy annually. You will also need to make sure that your policy is active at the time you make the claim. So long as landlords follow these and the other steps outlined in this guide, you will minimise risks and be able to offer pet- friendly accommodation with confidence.
Take the next step towards securing your rental property today. If you’re not already a Total Landlord customer, get a quote for landlord insurance with pet damage protection.
For more information or if you’re an existing customer, complete our pet damage protection enquiry form, contact our customer service team on 0800 634 3880 or email us at enquiries@totallandlordinsurance.co.uk to learn more about how we can support you in managing pet-related risks. Protect your investment and enjoy the benefits of renting to responsible pet owners today.
