Rent-guarantee and legal-expenses policies differ. The schedule, wording and endorsements determine cover; a product name does not establish that this tenant or debt is insured.
Read the conditions
- Check the insured landlord, property, tenant, policy dates, excess, waiting periods and exclusions.
- Identify notification deadlines and any referencing or tenancy-document requirements.
- Check whether the policy requires an approved solicitor or insurer consent before proceedings.
Submit a factual account
- Provide the agreement, rent schedule and receipts, distinguishing disputed amounts.
- Include relevant repair disputes, benefits issues, payment offers and earlier notices. Do not omit a material fact to improve the claim.
- Keep the notification reference and ask what further information or action is required.
Coordinate later decisions
- Tell the insurer about payments, proposed settlement, a surrender or changes in occupation.
- Get any required written authority before incurring costs or agreeing a compromise.
- Reconcile insurance receipts and recoveries so neither the tenant nor insurer is charged twice for the same loss.
Check claim conditions before instructing recovery work
Rent cover, legal expenses and loss of rent after insured damage are different sections of cover.
- Read the schedule and wording for the insured tenancy, excess, waiting period, maximum payment, notification deadline and required referencing. Ask the insurer to confirm any ambiguous condition in writing.
- Check whether the insurer must approve advisers, notices or a settlement before costs are incurred. Preserve the first missed-payment date and the dated notification.
- Reconcile insurer payments against rent, tenant payments and deposit recoveries. A claim decision does not determine the tenant's legal liability or authorise eviction.
Example: proceedings have not been authorised
A fictional landlord wants to instruct a solicitor immediately after missing rent. Notify the insurer and check its approval requirements first, while taking any urgent steps needed to protect legal deadlines. Unauthorised costs may not be covered.
What to do
- Find the policy and notify through its required route.
- Provide an accurate chronology and evidence.
- Obtain required authority before legal costs or settlement.
Evidence to keep
- Policy wording, schedule, endorsements and notification reference.
- References, agreement, rent account, correspondence and insurer decisions.
Sources and guidance
- Home and buildings insurance: cover and claimsFinancial Ombudsman Service · checked 20 October 2026
- Giving notice to evict tenants in EnglandUK Government · checked 20 October 2026
- Understanding the possession action processWelsh Government · checked 20 October 2026
- What a private landlord must do about rent arrearsScottish Government · checked 20 October 2026