Landlords urged to check insurance

Friday, 14 November 2008 03:00

As over a third of Brits are considering taking a lodger to help pay the bills, potential landlords are urged to update their insurance or risk losing it.

Research from AA Insurance shows over a third are seriously considering renting out a room as the credit crunch bites but nearly half admitted they weren't aware of the need to check their policy.

However, taking on a lodger increases the risk to damage and insurers could invalidate a policy if the holder has not informed them of their change of circumstances.

Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance, said: "Even if a lodger is a family member or friend, accidents can still happen.

"But, provided you have an extension on your home insurance for accidental damage cover and have informed your policy of the lodger, you should be covered."

With nearly one in ten landlords (9.5 per cent) claiming for damage their lodger has made to their home, there is clear evidence of the risk of not updating their home insurance, the AA said.

Lodgers also overlook checking whether they are insured in their new residence.

The findings reveal that eight out of ten (79.74 per cent) did not ask whether their personal items would be covered by their landlord's insurance.

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