If you rent out a property, standard residential home insurance generally isn't designed for your situation — and some insurers will refuse a claim, or void the policy entirely, if they discover the property was let without the correct landlord cover in place. Landlord insurance is built specifically around the risks of renting out a property.
What it typically covers
Landlord buildings insurance covers the structure much like standard buildings cover, but is priced and underwritten for a let property. Landlord contents insurance covers items you provide (in a furnished let, for example), rather than the tenant's own belongings, which remain the tenant's responsibility to insure separately.
Loss of rent cover
This is a common add-on that covers lost rental income if the property becomes uninhabitable following an insured event (like a fire or major water damage) and you can't let it while repairs take place. Given that mortgage payments on the property don't pause just because it's empty, this is worth considering rather than treating as optional extra.
Landlord liability cover
This covers you if a tenant or visitor is injured due to a failure in your responsibilities as a landlord — for example, a poorly maintained staircase. It's a distinct type of liability cover from public liability aimed at businesses, and is specifically about your obligations as a property owner letting to tenants.
Tell your insurer about your situation
Details like whether the property is let to a single family, multiple unrelated tenants (HMO), students, or via short-term letting platforms can all affect what cover you need and what a standard landlord policy will and won't include — always disclose the actual letting arrangement rather than assuming a generic policy covers every scenario.