Landlord Insurance: Coronavirus
If your tenant can't pay rent due to the coronavirus, you may be able to claim on landlord insurance.
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Owing to the coronavirus, the government announced a temporary ban on evictions, in an effort to help thousands of Aussies who've lost their jobs. But what does this mean for landlords who rely on their tenants for income?
Some landlord insurance policies have temporarily removed benefits such as rent default and a few others because of the pandemic. Make sure to check this with the insurer before deciding on a policy.
Some landlord insurance policies have temporarily removed benefits such as rent default and a few others because of the pandemic. Make sure to check this with the insurer before deciding on a policy.Does landlord insurance cover coronavirus?
If you have rent default cover under your landlord insurance, you may be covered if your tenant can't pay rent due to the coronavirus. However, it will depend on which insurance company your cover is through.
If you find yourself in this position, contact your insurance company immediately to find out what help is available.
What is rent default cover?
Rent default cover reimburses landlords if a tenant stops paying your rent. It can also include the cost of repairing building damage left after the tenant vacates the property.
Is it too late to take out landlord insurance?
Definitely not. Landlord insurance is widely available in Australia again (many insurers stopped selling it during the height of the COVID crisis). The table below shows insurers offering landlord insurance policies as well as those who are offering tenant default options.
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Can I claim if my tenant has left the property?
If you have rental default insurance, you should be able to claim if your tenant has suddenly left their property without giving you proper notice.
For example, your tenant may have been an overseas visitor, who left suddenly because they wanted to be closer to home during the coronavirus pandemic. In this situation, it's likely you will be able to claim if you have rental default cover.
Can I make a claim without an eviction notice?
You might still be able to. While landlord insurance policies generally require an eviction notice to be served before benefits can be claimed, some brands may waive this requirement due to the current circumstances in Australia.
If you have rental default cover, and your tenant can't pay rent because they lost their job due to coronavirus, you should contact your insurer. Many insurers are handling claims on a case-by-case basis so it's always worth giving your insurance company a call.
We analysed the PDSs of 11 brands offering landlord insurance insurers to see how their rental default insurance might react in this situation.
| Insurer | What the PDS says | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Allianz | Will pay if your tenant defaults on rent payments during the period of insurance | Allianz has confirmed landlords can claim for rent default without serving an eviction notice. Allianz is also covering any shortfall due to temporary rent reductions negotiated by landlords and tenants. |
| CGU | Will cover rent default if your tenant stops paying rent owed to you or your agent | IAG, CGU's parent company, has confirmed landlords do not need to terminate the lease or serve an eviction notice in order to claim rent default benefits. Instead, they will only need to supply proof of financial loss. You should be able to make a claim. |
| Coles | A breach notice for non-payment of rent or a notice of termination for non-payment of rent must be issued as soon as practical when the rent is in arrears | You have to submit a termination notice before your claim would be successful. However, a Coles representative suggested claims may be considered if the landlord could prove lost income. You may be able to make a claim. |
| NRMA | Rent default is when your tenant stops paying rent or leaves without giving you notice. | IAG, NRMA's parent company, has confirmed landlords don't need to terminate the lease or serve an eviction notice in order to claim rent default benefits. Instead, they will only need to supply proof of financial loss. You should be able to make a claim. |
| SGIO & SGIC | Rent default is when your tenant stops paying rent or leaves without giving you notice. | IAG, the parent company of SGIO & SGIC, has confirmed landlords don't need to terminate the lease or serve an eviction notice in order to claim rent default benefits. Instead, they will only need to supply proof of financial loss. You should be able to make a claim. |
| St George | You're covered for loss of rent if your tenant leaves your building before the end of the rental period and does not give the required notice, does not pay rent owing and leaves your building without giving the required notice, or is legally evicted from your building. | St George policies are provided by Westpac. A Westpac representative confirmed that the tenant would have to leave your property before you can claim for rental default. Unless they have left the property, it's unlikely you'll be able to make a claim. |
| Suncorp | We cover if your tenant stops paying the weekly rental amount during the term of your written rental agreement. | Suncorp confirmed the insurer won't require eviction notices from landlords during the period of the moratorium. |
| Westpac | You're covered for loss of rent if your tenant leaves your building before the end of the rental period and does not give the required notice, does not pay rent owing and leaves your building without giving the required notice, or is legally evicted from your building. | A Westpac representative confirmed that the tenant would have to leave your property before you can claim for rental default. Unless they have left the property, it's unlikely you'll be able to make a claim. |
| WFI | Rent default benefit will be paid if the tenant defaults in paying rent owed under the terms of the lease | IAG, WFI's parent company, has confirmed landlords don't need to terminate the lease or serve an eviction notice in order to claim rent default benefits. Instead, they will only need to supply proof of financial loss. You should be able to make a claim. |
| Youi | A rental default is where your lessee occupies the premises without paying the agreed rental payments which leads to the termination of the lease. | You must terminate the lease before you can claim on your landlord policy. As evictions are currently banned, this isn't possible for reasons of financial hardship, so it's unlikely you'll be able to make a claim. A Youi representative confirmed that a lease termination is required for cover to respond. However, she also added that Youii is working through the "unprecedented situation" to find solutions. You may be able to make a claim. |
Am I still covered for everything else on my policy?
Yes. While there is some uncertainty around how landlord insurance can help with coronavirus-related claims, you can trust your policy to react as normal with all other issues.
That means, depending on your policy, you'll still be insured for things like fire and storm damage, as well as damage caused by your tenants.
Here's the bottom line
With many landlord insurance policies beginning to offer cover for rent default again, now is a good time to consider taking out a policy or switching policies. On top of coronavirus-related claims, landlord insurance can also cover you for things like fires, theft and legal expenses.
Picture: GettyImages
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