Landlords Insurance Verses Court - Which One Should You Choose with Brenda Hunter

Have you ever sat across from an investor who’s just had a tenant stop paying rent, damage the property, and disappear, and felt that knot in your stomach because you know what comes next? The paperwork. The tribunal. The waiting. The emotional load. And often, no real financial recovery at the end of it.

In property management, we’re taught that court is just part of the job. That it’s the “proper process”. That insurance is optional or a last resort. But what if that belief is actually costing property managers time, energy, and investor trust?

In this episode, I chat with Brenda Hunter, National Products and Sales Manager at the Property Insurance People, and a former property manager who understands exactly what it’s like to sit on both sides of the fence. We unpack the real difference between insurance claims versus going to court, why so many landlords are underinsured without realising it, and what property managers need to know to better protect their investors and themselves.

This conversation goes beyond theory. We talk about real claims, real mistakes, and real scenarios property managers face every day. If you’ve ever felt torn between “doing the right thing” and doing what actually gets results for your owner, this episode will give you clarity.

“Insurance is a backup plan. It’s peace of mind for the landlord but it’s also peace of mind for the property manager knowing there’s coverage when something goes wrong.” - Brenda Hunter

We cover:

1. Why insurance claims are often faster, less stressful, and more effective than tribunal action for recovering money after tenant default or damage
2. The critical difference between building insurance and landlord insurance, and why many landlords with houses are unknowingly underinsured
3. What landlord insurance actually covers, including rent default, loss of rent, tenant damage and contents
4. Why rent default is one of the most common and costly claims and what property managers should check in every policy
5. Common content coverage gaps that catch landlords out, including dishwashers, floating floors, underlay, wardrobes and owner supplied appliances
6. How insurers assess tenant damage and the difference between accidental, deliberate and malicious damage
7. The biggest mistakes property managers make when lodging claims and how documentation can make or break the outcome
8. When to lodge an insurance claim and why waiting for all the information can slow everything down
9. Why strata building insurance does not replace landlord insurance and where liability risks still sit

Kylie’s Resources:

Property Management Growth School: https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/TPM-BDMSchool

Digital Marketing School: https://courses.thatpropertymum.com.au/digitalschool

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