Landlord's insurance for UK property

[nectarine]

I've rented out my UK property for the last ten years, directly with the tenant who is a good and trusted friend of mine. Each year I've bought landlord's insurance, and given my address in France - no problem. This year the insurance company said it cannot renew since I am resident abroad, unless I have a registered agent to manage the property on my behalf.

Despite arguing that I have a trusted tenant, and that I visit the property every year and my tenant has direct email and phone contact with me, they won't insure.

I rang another company who searched for some quotes - a couple of companies wouldn't insure and the one who did wanted double what I'd previously been paying.

I should add the house is normal, not in a subsidence area, tenant is working, no claims, etc.

Now I'm reluctant to pay 10% rental to an agent who will do basically nothing. Has anybody else been in the same situation, or do you know of a UK insurance company who will do landlords insurance for an overseas resident landlord?

Thanks - all advice welcome!

[PaulT]

Have you a close relative who would act as agent in name only?

[idun]

As our house didn't sell as quickly as we'd hoped we rented out and do use an agent and they get 10% and they check on the property regularly. I also use Homelet insurance. I think I could have had landlords insurance with KeyConnect/Gallager Lambert insurance. No idea if either cater for non UK residents though.

[nectarine]

[quote user="PaulT"]Have you a close relative who would act as agent in name only?[/quote]

Apparently they have to be a 'registered agent', so probably can't do that. Good idea, otherwise.

[Chancer]

I swapped to Direct Line a couple of years ago when they eneterd the market and they are great, very low cost and a very cheap extension for rent guarantee and alternative accomodation should the unthinkable happen.

I technically still have an address here, its the house number plus a, i.e. 1234a Any street whatevertown, i dont recall there being any issues about my residency in fact I am sure they asked me whether I wanted them to send the documents to the rental address or my French address.

Give them a try and if they say no and you are confident that your tenant would send on any mail for you then either use the rental address or the a trick, if they say you cant tell them that Chancer does!

I have had lots of dealings with them over the years as policyholder, insured losses a couple of times and also as a third party and I think they are one of the best, they are certainly very serious about the landlords market.

If you pay by monthly DD then even if nothing does get sent through to you you will remain insured even after renewal, its free the first year but IIRC 12% more so I now pay annually so have to have the renewal notification although this time they told me that they would keep me insured for 14 days after the date if I hadnt paid.

[nectarine]

Thanks, Chancer, but they wouldn't do it and I didn't want to land anyone in it. However, big thanks to EBAYNUT who gave me details of

www.cia-insurance.co.uk whose number is

00 44 1788 818600

I gave them a call, extremely helpful. No problem about living overseas, competitive quote and I've taken the policy with them.

So thanks again for all replies and to Ebaynut for his recommendation.