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Landlord Insurance in Western Australia
Written by
Tina Sendin
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Adrian BennettOur Home and Contents partners
iSelect does not compare all providers in the market or all policies offered by our partners in your area. Not all policies or special offers are available to all customers. Learn more.
What is landlord insurance?
Landlord insurance is your financial safety net as a property owner. Think of it as your standard home and contents insurance with a twist – it’s tailored to the risks associated with a rental property.
Beyond covering damages caused by tenants, it can also safeguard you against loss of rental income or unexpected damage from extreme weather.
Is landlord insurance mandatory in WA?
No, landlord insurance is not mandatory in Western Australia (or anywhere else in the country for that matter).
But a lot of landlords go for it anyway for two reasons:
- Many real estate agencies often require proof of insurance before helping you lease out the property
- It offers some peace of mind
What does landlord insurance commonly cover in WA?
While coverage varies by policy and provider, here’s a snapshot of what landlord insurance typically includes in WA:
Rent default (or lease break)
If a tenant falls behind on rent (or stops paying it), this coverage kicks in to help you get back the income you’ve lost.
Theft or malicious damage by tenants
Landlord insurance can cover you for theft or damage – whether a tenant, their guests, or their overexcited pet meant to do it or not. After all, Marley might be cute, but those chewed-up skirting boards aren’t.
Natural disasters
Most policies cover damage caused by WA’s unpredictable weather events and natural disasters like storms, cyclones, earthquake, and bushfires. Note that flood protection might come as an optional extra depending on your insurer.
Loss of rent
If your property becomes uninhabitable due to insured events (like fire or storm damage), you could recover lost rental income.
Legal liability
Landlord insurance has your back covering any compensation or fees in the unfortunate event that someone gets injured (or dies) on your property. Think lawyer fees, tribunal fees, and agent fees.
Contents coverage
If you’re renting out a furnished property, landlord insurance can protect things like carpets, curtains, or even appliances like the fridge and washing machine. You’ll just want to make sure that you choose a policy that includes contents cover.
Helpful tip:
Landlord insurance is usually an extension of a home and contents policy. Like home and contents insurance, you can choose to cover just the building itself, or the contents inside it, or both. You’ll then add on the landlord portion to provide extra cover for your investment. If you’re renting out a furnished property, having contents cover will give you peace of mind that the furniture & appliances are also covered against loss or damage. As always, read over the product disclosure statement or talk to your provider to double check what you’re covered for.
Adrian Bennett
General Manager for General Insurance
What does landlord insurance NOT cover in WA?
Even the most comprehensive landlord insurance comes with exclusions. Here are some common ones to look out for:
- Damage caused by the sea, high water, or underground water
- Issues related to asbestos
- Any illegal activities
- Business operations (except for an approved home office)
- Spread of communicable diseases
- Pollution or contamination
- Problems from defects, structural faults, or design flaws
- Cyberattacks, including hacking
- Loss of data, such as access denial or the need for recovery, reinstallation, or replacement
- Fires intentionally started by tenants (optional cover exists)
Are there any laws in WA that specifically impact landlords?
WA has its own set of specific tenancy laws that might affect landlords:
What factors determine landlord insurance premiums in WA?
Location risk
WA recorded over 100,000 offences against property in 2024 – including burglary, property damage, and arson.1Government of Western Australia – Crime statistics If your property is in an area prone to crimes – or to natural disasters like bushfires and cyclones – be prepared for higher premiums.
Property type and age
Got a charming old home or one that would cost a lot to rebuild? That usually means higher premiums. Age and replacement value matter when assessing a property’s risk.
Extras
Optional extras like flood or accidental pet damage cover can be worth it, but they do bump up your premium. It’s all about weighing the additional protection you need against the added cost.
Maintenance records
Insurers appreciate landlords who have a solid track record of having very few claims (if at all). In fact, many of them have a no-claims policy, which means lower premium costs for property owners who have not made any home insurance claims ever.
Frequently asked questions
Is landlord insurance tax deductible?
Yes. One great perk of landlord insurance in WA is that it’s tax deductible! You can claim the premium payments as an immediate deduction against your rental income, which is a nice little bonus for property owners.
What’s the difference between landlord insurance and building insurance?
Building insurance is exactly as the name suggests. It protects the building against things like fires, storms or accidental damage to the structure of the property. It’s a solid choice whether you’re living in the home or renting it out.
Landlord insurance is an added benefit to your building insurance and is all about tenant-related risks – like damage caused by tenants or loss of rental income – which building insurance typically won’t cover.
If you wish to cover furnishings, furniture or appliances within the property, you’d want to combine the landlord building insurance with contents insurance so that you’re protected against loss or damage to the things inside the building itself.
Many homeowners opt for both landlord building and contents insurance to cover all their bases, especially since some insurers bundle them together into one combined policy.
How can I find the best landlord insurance policies in WA?
Selecting the right policy can feel overwhelming, but these tips can make decision-making feel like a walk in Hyde Park.
Compare providers
Feeling stuck on where to start? Online comparison tools (like ours) can make your life easier. They let you compare landlord insurance policies in WA side by side.
You won’t have to deal with endless tabs – these tools can help narrow down your options and find coverage that ticks all the boxes, all in one place.
Review the PDS
The product disclosure statement (PDS) is your go-to for understanding what’s covered, what’s not, and which extras you can add. It would be prudent to block a time for a deep dive of this very important document.
It might not be the most exciting read, but it’ll save you from surprises later.
Find the sweet spot between premiums and excess
Think about your budget and how much risk you’re comfortable with. A lower premium might come with a higher excess, and higher premiums might mean a lower excess.
If you decide to go for the former, it would be a good idea to set aside some savings for the excess amount. That way, you’ll have it ready if you need it. And if you don’t end up using it, you’ve got a nice little bonus waiting for you!
Flexibility is key
Look for policies that offer flexibility with optional extras, like flood protection. WA landlords might find these an absolute game-changer, especially given that the state’s tropical climate can bring seasonal heavy rainfall and the risk of cyclones.
Compare landlord insurance policies in WA today
With landlord insurance, you can relax knowing your property is protected from tenant mishaps, wild weather, or legal headaches.
Curious about your options? iSelect can help you explore policies and find coverage tailored to your property’s unique needs.
Get started on comparing home and contents today!
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