Hi everyone,

I just needed to insure my first buy to let property, and not having a clue where to go for insurance I used moneysupermarkets landlords insurance tab. And while it doesn't compare the market (hey MS? any chance of that for next year?) there were a number of companies listed on there.

By far the cheapest I found was a company called letprotect. so went ahead and bought . . . I did it all online in minutes, got all my docs through just a few minutes later by e-mail! Really quick and really easy!

I took the basic product, buildings and small amount of contents as it's an unfurnished flat. Also took the property emergency cover thing as like I say it's my first buy to let and wanted a bit of extra cover in case anything happens.

They do offer legal expenses, and I could have upgraded that to include loss of rent, but if the lettings agency have done their job then I shouldn't need that. Why? do you think I should have taken it?

I figure I'm hopefully fully covered now (famous last words :-S ). Tenants moved in today . . . .

Hmm, I used to work in Estate Agency for a couple of years. Property Management is a rip off. I think the company I worked for had a 12% monthly fee thing! All they did was take a photocopied A4 sheet with 4 boxes on to tick/cross, and more often than not the lettings agent would constantly cancel inspections because she was hungover... not to say this goes on everywhere mind! The loss of rent would have been a bonus, never rely on the lettings agent for this. If a tenant up and leaves or hasn't paid rent then it's still very difficult to shove them out!

I'm sure all will be well though, and good luck with the tenancy. Don't panic! I hope you discluded DSS, Pets, Children, Smokers! Mind you, saying that, at least with DSS you're always going to get the money as it's paid for by the masses through the Government. Being careful how I word this, 'working professionals' generally leave the place tidy!