Morty Gage thought he had it sorted. A clean, respectful tenant with a long-term lease on his Ballina property. Rent was always paid on time, and the place looked pristine from the street. But one neighbour’s nose said otherwise.
The next inspection uncovered the real story: a fully operational meth lab hidden behind polite manners and blackout blinds. By then, the property was uninhabitable. The cleanup bill? Eye-watering. His previous insurer’s response? “Not covered.”
That’s when his broker wished they’d placed it with Hutch.
The damage that policies often miss
Meth contamination, illegal drug production, chemical waste. These aren’t everyday claims, but they’re growing. And they’re costly. Chemical decontamination often exceeds $50,000, with long periods of lost rent and legal headaches tacked on.
Many policies exclude this kind of damage altogether. At Hutch, we designed our Residential Landlord Insurance to handle the messier side of property ownership because the damage you can’t see is often the most dangerous.
Built-in protection for worst-case scenarios
With Hutch, brokers can offer cover that includes:
- Up to $70,000 in chemical decontamination costs;
- Optional cover for rent default (including removal of tenant property), theft by tenant, and loss of rent;
- Legal expense benefits included - up to $5,000;
All backed by Lloyd’s, with claims handled in-house. When your landlord client is standing in a hazmat suit, wondering what’s next, we’re here to help.
What brokers need to know
We’re not here to sensationalise. Meth contamination isn’t the norm, but it’s no longer rare. Hutch gives you the ability to confidently place cover for clients with:
- Long-term leases with routine inspections;
- Properties in regional, coastal, or suburban areas (not just inner-city).
- Up to $70,000 in chemical decontamination costs in addition to loss of rent, if this optional cover is taken.
With Hutch, you’re equipped with real options.
How we keep it simple
Our quoting is fast, digital, and backed by underwriters that understand the nuances. Submit through SCTP or Ebix Sunrise Exchange today, and most risks are auto-accepted. When something needs review, our underwriters respond fast. No run-around.
We’ve also structured the product so you can educate landlords upfront about the value of optional covers. Based on your client's risk profile, rent default, theft by tenant, and loss of rent can all be added.
Real cover for the real world
- Chemical decontamination: up to $70,000;
- Legal expenses: up to $5,000;
- Loss of rent: up to twice the annual insured amount, for a maximum of 24 months;
- Optional rent default: up to $20,000;
- Built-in pet damage cover for accidental, deliberate or malicious damage caused by pets owned or cared for by tenants.
Start quoting with confidence
You don’t need a headline horror story to know that serious damage happens in quiet homes. Hutch helps you get cover that’s fit for purpose… and fast enough to win the deal.
Next steps for brokers:
Submit a landlord quote via Ebix Sunrise Exchange (code HUTHLL), or SCTP.
Kim Beavis : 05/08/2025 9:38:22 AM
