Summary
Sharing a home with your pet shouldn’t put your deposit at risk. Pet damage insurance for tenants helps cover the cost if your pet accidentally damages your landlord’s property, so you’re not left paying the full bill yourself.
With HomeLet, pet damage isn’t a separate “pet insurance” policy. It’s included as part of your Tenants Liability or Contents Insurance and is designed to protect your tenancy liability if something goes wrong - subject to the policy terms, conditions and exclusions. For full details, please see the policy wording.
What is Pet damage insurance for tenants?
Pet damage insurance for tenants is cover that helps if your pet accidentally damages your landlord’s property in your rented home. This could include things like:
Furniture
Fixtures & Fittings
White Goods
Carpets & Soft Furnishings
Integrated Appliances i.e. oven, fridge etc
If an accident happens, this cover can help with the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged item, which in turn can reduce the risk of deductions from your tenancy deposit when you move out.
Pet damage cover sits within your Tenants Liability or Contents Insurance - it isn’t sold as a stand‑alone pet policy. All cover is subject to the policy terms, conditions and exclusions; please refer to the policy wording for full details.
Does HomeLet's Tenants Liability Insurance cover pet damage?
Yes - HomeLet’s Tenants Liability Insurance can cover accidental damage caused by your pets to your landlord’s property, as long as it’s a valid claim under the policy.
That means if your pet accidentally damages your landlord's property that you're responsible for - such as fittings, flooring or furniture provided with the property - your tenants liability cover is there to help protect you against the cost, up to the liability limit shown on your policy.
All claims are subject to the policy limits, excesses, terms, conditions and exclusions. For full details of what’s covered, please refer to the policy wording and your Policy Schedule.
What pet damage is covered?
Pet damage cover is designed to help with sudden, unexpected accidental damage caused by your pet in your rented home. Examples of incidents that may be covered include:
Carpets and flooring
- Your dog slips and rips a carpet.
- Your cat knocks over a drink, leaving a stain that can’t be cleaned.
- A cage or tank is dropped during cleaning and damages vinyl or laminate flooring.
Furniture provided by your landlord
- Your dog jumps up and tears a landlord‑owned sofa.
- A pet knocks over and breaks a landlord’s lamp or coffee table.
Fixtures and fittings
- A dog scratches a door trying to get out of a room.
- Skirting boards or door frames are damaged in a one‑off accident.
Integrated appliances and white goods
- A pet damages the door of an integrated oven or dishwasher.
- A washing machine fascia or built‑in fridge door is cracked in an accident.
In each case, the damage must be accidental and not something that has built up gradually over time. Claims are considered in line with the policy wording, including any limits and excesses that apply to Tenants Liability or Contents cover.
What isn't covered?
Pet damage insurance for tenants doesn’t cover every situation involving a pet. Some of the main things that are typically not covered include:
- Malicious or deliberate damage - Any damage caused on purpose, or due to reckless behaviour, isn’t covered.
- Normal wear and tear - Everyday scuffs, claw marks and signs of use that build up over time.
- Gradual fraying or wearing down of carpets, rugs and furniture from regular use.
- Damage that happens gradually - Long‑term scratching on doors or flooring over many months.
- Issues caused by not looking after the property properly.
- Theft or intentional loss - This is not covered as “pet damage”.
- Damage linked to business use - Damage that arises from running a business involving animals from your home may not be covered.
This isn’t a full list. All cover is provided in line with the exclusions and conditions in the policy wording, so it’s important to read your documents carefully.
How much does pet damage cover cost?
With HomeLet, there’s no extra cost for a separate pet damage policy.
Pet damage is included within your standard Tenants Liability Insurance, or Contents Insurance incorporating Tenants Liability policy. You simply pay the usual price for your policy, and accidental pet damage is one of the events that may be covered, subject to the terms and exclusions.
Pet damage excess
Where a claim involves damage caused by domestic animals or pets, a specific excess applies. The policy wording confirms that the first £100 of any loss or damage caused by domestic animals or pets is not covered under certain sections.
In practice, this means:
- If you make a successful pet damage claim, the relevant excess will be deducted from any settlement; and
- Your Policy Schedule will set out the excesses that apply to your cover, including for Tenants Liability.
To see the exact premium and excess for your circumstances, you’ll need to get a quote online. For full information, please refer to the policy wording and your Policy Schedule.
How does it protect my deposit?
Pets are a common reason for deposit deductions at the end of a tenancy, especially when there’s noticeable damage to flooring, furniture or fixtures.
Having pet damage cover as part of your renters insurance can help:
Repair or replace damaged items promptly
If your pet causes accidental damage during the tenancy, you can make a claim (if covered) and arrange repairs or replacements before you move out.
Reduce the risk of disputes
When damage is fixed, there’s less for a landlord to claim from your deposit. Clear evidence of repairs can help avoid disagreements over what’s “fair wear and tear” versus damage.
Give landlords reassurance
Knowing you have Tenants Liability Insurance that includes accidental pet damage can make landlords more comfortable about allowing pets in the property.
This doesn’t guarantee there will never be a deduction, but it can significantly reduce the financial risk if an accident happens.
If you'd prefer to have a chat about our insurance, give us a call and one of our team will be ready and waiting to answer your questions. We can also arrange your insurance policy over the phone.
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Pet damage insurance and the Renters' Rights Act
Recent changes in renters’ rights mean pets are increasingly recognised in UK renting. Many tenants now ask questions like “What is the new pet law for renters?” or “Can my landlord say no to a pet?”
Under the Renters’ Rights Act:
- Tenants have a right to request permission to keep a pet in their rented home.
- Landlords can’t refuse without a genuine reason.
- Landlords can ask you to have suitable insurance, for example, Tenants Liability Insurance that includes accidental pet damage, as a way of managing the risk of allowing pets. However, any conditions they set must still comply with the Tenant Fees Act and other relevant legislation, and they cannot normally insist you buy a specific policy from a particular provider.
You should always:
- Check your tenancy agreement before bringing a pet into the property; and
- Get written confirmation if your landlord or letting agent agrees to a pet.
Having pet damage cover in place can support your request by showing you’re taking responsibility if something goes wrong.
Read more about how the Renters' Rights Act affects tenants.
Pet damage insurance for tenants vs. landlords - what's the difference?
Pet damage insurance can look different depending on whether you’re a tenant or a landlord.
For tenants, pet damage cover can help in two key ways:
Your landlord’s property (tenancy liability)
- Protects your tenancy liability if your pet accidentally damages your landlord’s buildings, fixtures and fittings, or any furniture and décor they provide.
- This sits within your Tenants Liability Insurance or Contents Insurance incorporating Tenants Liability.
Your own belongings (contents)
- If you select Tenants Contents and Liability insurance, it will also cover accidental damage caused by your pet to your own contents in the home.
You hold the policy and make the claim if an eligible incident occurs. The aim is to help you cover the cost of accidental damage - whether to your landlord’s items or your own - and reduce the risk of losing part of your deposit if something goes wrong.
Pet damage insurance for landlords
For landlords, pet damage is covered differently:
- Landlords can take out separate landlord insurance to protect their rental property and any contents they provide.
- This might include buildings insurance and landlord’s contents insurance, which are policies taken out by the landlord, not the tenant.
- Tenants cannot usually claim under a landlord’s policy; they need their own renters insurance for their belongings and liability.
FAQs
Is pet damage insurance a separate policy?
No. Pet damage insurance isn’t a separate, stand‑alone product.
With HomeLet, protection for pet damage sits within your Tenants Liability Insurance or Contents Insurance incorporating Tenants Liability, depending on the cover you choose. Pet damage is treated as a type of accidental damage, rather than something you need specific add-ons for.
Are all pets and breeds covered?
The policy is designed to cover damage caused by all domestic pets, but acceptance of particular pets or breeds can depend on underwriting criteria at the time you take out the policy.
What’s the excess on a pet damage claim?
Where a claim involves damage caused by domestic animals or pets, the policy wording states that the first £100 of any loss or damage caused by domestic animals or pets is not covered in certain sections.
This operates as a £100 excess for qualifying pet damage claims under those parts of the policy. Your policy wording sets out how this applies and your Policy Schedule confirms the exact excesses that apply to your individual cover.
Any claim payment will have the relevant excess deducted.
Can my landlord require me to have pet damage insurance?
Your landlord can't require you to have pet damage insurance in place. However, they can reasonably request that you have sufficient means to cover any damage caused by pets to their property.
Does this cover wear and tear from pets?
No. Wear and tear is not covered.
The policy is designed for one‑off accidental damage, not for the gradual marks and scuffs that come with everyday living.
How to claim on your insurance
If you need to make a claim on your insurance policy, we’re on hand to help you every step of the way. Just remember to avoid waiting longer than 30 days after the incident to make your claim.
You can call our insurers claims line on 0330 333 7230. The lines are open Monday to Friday, 08:30 - 17:30.
HomeLet is a leading supplier of Landlord Insurance, Tenant Referencing and Tenant Insurance. HomeLet is a trading name of Barbon Insurance Group Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for insurance distribution.
Policy documents for Tenants Liability Insurance
It’s really important that you read our policy documents to understand exactly what’s covered. Please visit our policy documents page to find out more about our cover.
Viewing your documents and correspondence from HomeLet
When you buy a policy, we’ll prompt you to register for your My HomeLet account. My HomeLet is a service for existing customers that allows you to view your policy documents and any correspondence that we send you securely online. We’ll send you an email to let you know when you’ve got a new message to view in My HomeLet.