Landlord insurance in Ireland: what it covers and how it works

What does landlord insurance cover?

Landlord insurance can cover your rental property, landlord-owned contents and some of the financial risks that come with letting a home.

The exact cover depends on the insurer and policy, but most landlord insurance policies can include:

• Buildings insurance: Covers the cost of repairing or rebuilding your rental property if it’s damaged by fire, flood, storm or another insured event.
• Contents insurance: Covers furniture, appliances, carpets and other items you provide for tenants, but not their personal belongings.
• Property owner’s liability: Can protect you financially if a tenant, visitor or tradesperson is injured at your rental property and makes a claim.
• Loss of rent: Can replace rental income if your property becomes uninhabitable after an insured event covered by your policy.
• Rent guarantee: May cover missed payments if your tenant defaults on their rent, if this is included or available as an add-on. It’s different from loss of rent cover.
• Legal expenses: Can help cover legal costs for disputes, eviction proceedings or recovering unpaid rent, depending on the policy.

Recent changes to rental law in March 2026 may also make it more important to check legal expenses, rent guarantee and loss of rent cover carefully, especially for new tenancies.

What it does not usually cover

Landlord insurance can offer useful protection, but it won’t cover every problem linked to renting out a property. Exclusions vary by insurer, so always check your policy documents carefully.

Common exclusions can include:

• Wear and tear: Gradual damage from age, everyday use or poor upkeep is usually not covered.
• Tenant belongings: Your tenants need their own contents insurance to protect their personal possessions.
• Poor maintenance: Claims may be refused if damage was caused by neglect or a lack of repairs.
• Undeclared vacant periods: Your cover may be affected if the property is left empty for longer than your policy allows.
• Unapproved tenants or use: Your insurer may not cover claims if the property is used differently from what you declared.
• Certain tenant damage: Accidental or malicious damage by tenants may only be covered if it’s included or added to your policy.

Optional extras

Some landlord insurance policies include extra cover as standard, while others let you add it for an additional cost. Before choosing a policy, check what’s included and whether you need extra protection.

Common optional extras can include:

• Accidental damage: Covers unexpected damage to your rental property or landlord-owned contents, such as a broken window or carpet stain.
• Home emergency cover: Can provide urgent help if your heating, plumbing, boiler or electrics fail.
• Legal expenses: Can help cover legal advice or costs if you have a dispute with tenants.
• Unoccupied property cover: Can extend your cover if the property is empty between tenancies for longer than your policy allows.
• Malicious damage by tenants: May cover deliberate damage caused by tenants, but this is not always included as standard.
• Rent guarantee: May cover missed rent if your tenant defaults, depending on whether the insurer offers this cover and the policy terms.

What affects the cost?

The price you pay for landlord insurance depends on the property, who lives there and the level of protection you choose.

• Property rebuild cost: The higher the rebuild cost, the more you’ll usually pay for buildings cover.
• Property location: Areas with higher claims, flood or crime risks can be more expensive to insure.
• Contents cover: Furnished properties usually cost more to insure than unfurnished rentals.
• Number of tenants: More tenants can increase the risk of damage, wear and tear or liability claims.
• Tenant type: Some insurers may charge more depending on who the property is rented to.
• Optional extras: Adding cover such as rent guarantee, legal expenses or home emergency can increase your premium.

How to get cheaper landlord insurance

The cheapest landlord insurance policy may not give you the protection you need, so compare policies carefully and check the cover limits, exclusions and excesses before you buy.

You may be able to reduce the cost, if you:

1. Improve security: Install secure locks, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and, where possible, a burglar alarm.
2. Choose the right cover level: Only pay for the buildings, contents and optional extras you actually need.
3. Compare like-for-like quotes: Check the same cover limits, excesses and exclusions across different insurers.
4. Increase your excess: A higher excess can reduce your premium, but make sure you can afford it if you claim.
5. Keep the property maintained: Regular repairs and upkeep can reduce the risk of rejected claims and future problems.
6. Pay annually: Paying upfront can be cheaper than monthly payments, which may include interest or fees.

You can also read our guide on how to save money on home insurance.

Landlord insurance checklist before you buy

Before choosing landlord insurance, check:

• Buildings sum insured: Use the rebuild cost, not the property’s market value, and check it before renewal.
• Average clause: If your property is underinsured, your insurer may reduce your claim proportionally.
• Liability limit: Check the property owner’s liability limit and who is covered.
• Loss of rent: Check when it applies, how much you can claim and how long payments can continue.
• Rent guarantee: Check whether missed rent is covered and what conditions apply before you can claim.
• Vacant periods: Check how long the property can be empty before your cover is affected.

Landlord insurance FAQs