Does my landlord insurance cover damage by tenants?

Landlord insurance varies widely by policy. It often covers accidental damage and sometimes malicious damage by tenants, but excludes ordinary wear and tear, gradual deterioration or damage that is not sudden and identifiable. Some policies also cover loss of rent, within limits, if the property is uninhabitable or the tenant has defaulted. Read your policy for the definitions and exclusions, particularly relating to tenant damage, and check whether you need to notify the police or make claims through the Tenancy Tribunal first. Independently of insurance, you can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 to recover costs from the tenant, and if insured, the insurer may take over the recovery right. Keep your property inspection reports and photographs, since they are key evidence.