Landlord Insurance Adelaide, Arranged by a Local Broker
Landlord insurance protects a rental property owner against risks a standard home policy does not cover: tenant damage, rent default, loss of rent after an insured event and legal liability. Westphalian Insurance Brokers is an Adelaide broker. We compare landlord policies from several insurers and arrange the cover that fits your property and tenancy.
No obligation. A broker calls you back during business hours (Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm).
What does landlord insurance cover?
A landlord policy is built from several parts. You can usually choose which parts you need. These are the parts most Adelaide landlords ask us about.
Building
Damage to the house or unit itself from events such as fire, storm, flood (where included), burglary and impact. Not usually needed for a strata unit, where the body corporate insures the building.
Landlord contents
The items you own inside the rental, such as carpets, curtains, blinds, appliances and furniture if the property is furnished.
Rent default
Rent your tenant owes and does not pay, up to the limit and number of weeks in your policy. Often an optional extra.
Loss of rent
Rent you lose while the property cannot be lived in after an insured event, such as a fire or major storm damage.
Tenant damage
Malicious or intentional damage by a tenant or their guests, and in some policies accidental damage. The two are often treated differently.
Legal liability
Your liability if a tenant or visitor is injured at the property and you are found responsible.
Cover, limits, waiting periods and exclusions vary by insurer and policy. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before you decide. We will explain the differences between the policies we compare for you.
Landlord insurance vs home insurance vs strata insurance
Owner-occupier home insurance is not designed for a property you rent out. Here is how the three usually differ.
| What it covers | Landlord insurance | Home insurance | Strata insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Owners who rent out a property | Owners who live in the property | The body corporate of a strata scheme |
| Building | Usually (not for strata units) | Usually | Usually, for the whole building and common areas |
| Rent default and loss of rent | Usually, often optional | Not usually | Not usually |
| Tenant damage | Usually, often optional | Not usually | Not usually |
| Your contents in the rental | Usually | Only where you live | Not usually |
| Legal liability at the property | Usually | Usually | Common areas only |
General comparison only. Each policy is different, so check the PDS for the policy you are considering.
Six things to check on your landlord policy
Most gaps we find are in the detail, not the headline cover. Check these before your next renewal, or ask us to check them with you.
- Sum insuredIs the building amount close to today’s rebuild cost, not the purchase price?
- Rent default limitHow many weeks of rent are covered, and is there a waiting period?
- Malicious vs accidental damageDoes the policy cover both, and is there a separate excess for each?
- ExcessWhat do you pay per claim, and does it change by claim type?
- VacancyWhat happens to your cover if the property is empty between tenants?
- Your obligationsDoes the policy require a written lease, a bond or routine inspections before it pays?
Not sure what your current policy covers? Send it to us and a broker will walk you through it.
Ask for a policy checkHow we arrange your landlord insurance
- 1. Understand
We learn about the property, the tenancy, how it is managed and what you need protected. - 2. Research
We compare suitable landlord policies from several insurers. - 3. Recommend
We explain the options, including what each one excludes. - 4. Place cover
We arrange the policy you choose and send you the documents. - 5. Claims and renewal
We help with claims and review your cover before each renewal.
Landlord insurance for every kind of Adelaide landlord
Single-property landlords
Your first investment property, or a home you have moved out of and now rent out.
Agent-managed investors
Cover that works alongside your property manager’s lease, bond and inspection process.
Portfolio owners
Several properties reviewed together, so limits, excesses and renewals are consistent.
Short-stay or holiday rentals need specific cover, and not every landlord policy includes them. Tell us how the property is let and we will check.
Request a landlord insurance call back
Leave your details and a broker will call you during business hours. In the message, tell us the property suburb, whether it is a house or unit, how it is managed, and when your current policy renews.
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Landlord insurance questions
What does landlord insurance cover?
Landlord insurance can cover the building, your contents in the rental, rent default, loss of rent after an insured event, malicious or accidental damage by tenants, and your legal liability if someone is injured at the property. Which of these you get depends on the policy and the options you choose, so check the Product Disclosure Statement.
Is it worth getting landlord insurance?
For most landlords, yes. A home insurance policy is designed for a home you live in and usually does not cover tenant damage, rent default or loss of rent. One tenant who stops paying rent or damages the property can cost more than several years of premiums. A broker can show you what the cover would cost for your property so you can decide.
How much does landlord insurance cost in South Australia?
It depends on the property type and location, the building sum insured, the options you choose such as rent default, and your excess. A house usually costs more to insure than a strata unit, because the body corporate insures the unit’s building. The fastest way to know is to get quotes for your own property. We can compare policies from several insurers for you.
Which is the best landlord insurance in Australia?
There is no single best policy for every landlord. The right policy depends on whether you own a house or a unit, how the property is managed, how much rent default cover you want and the excess you can carry. A broker compares policies side by side against your situation, including what each one excludes.
What is the difference between landlord insurance and home insurance?
Home insurance is for a property you live in. Landlord insurance is for a property you rent out, and adds cover for rental risks such as tenant damage, rent default and loss of rent. If you rent out a property that is only covered by a home policy, a claim may be refused.
Does landlord insurance cover a tenant not paying rent?
Many landlord policies offer rent default cover, often as an option. It pays unpaid rent up to a limit, usually a set number of weeks, and may have conditions such as a written lease and a bond. Check the limit and the conditions before you rely on it.
Do I still need landlord insurance if I use a property manager?
Yes. A property manager looks after the tenancy, but does not insure your property or your rental income. Some landlord policies require you or your manager to follow steps such as routine inspections, so tell us how the property is managed.
Is landlord insurance compulsory in South Australia?
No law requires it. If you have a mortgage, your lender will usually require building insurance on the property. Landlord insurance is still strongly worth considering because it covers rental risks that other policies do not.
Is landlord insurance tax deductible?
The Australian Taxation Office generally lets you claim insurance premiums for a rental property, such as building, contents, public liability and loss of rent cover, as a rental expense. Check your own situation with your accountant or the ATO.
Do I need landlord insurance for a strata unit?
Usually yes, but a different type. The body corporate’s strata policy covers the building and common areas. A landlord policy for a strata unit focuses on your contents, rent default, loss of rent and tenant damage inside the unit.
Have a question that is not here? Call 08 8232 3118 or request a call back.
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Last reviewed 26 October 2026 by Westphalian Insurance Brokers, 206 Hutt Street, Adelaide.
General advice warning: the information on this page is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before deciding on an insurance product, consider whether it is right for you and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD). Westphalian Insurance Brokers is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR 1280344) of Community Broker Network, AFSL 233750.