UK Home Insurance Quotes
Home Insurance
Compare buildings, contents and combined cover from 40+ UK providers to protect your home and belongings. FCA-regulated comparison for personal and business-from-home use, helping you save up to £241* on cover that can include accidental damage and home emergency.
Why compare home insurance with us?
- ✓Buildings, contents & combined cover
- ✓Compare 40+ providers & save up to £241*
What is home insurance?
Home insurance protects the place you live and what is in it. Buildings cover protects the structure, roof, walls and permanent fixtures at their full rebuild cost, while contents cover protects your belongings, furniture and valuables. Most owner-occupiers buy the two combined on one policy. Cover includes fire, flood, storm, subsidence, escape of water, theft and impact, plus personal liability and alternative accommodation if your home becomes uninhabitable. Mortgage lenders require buildings insurance as a condition of the loan.
Home insurance suits a wide range of properties because the risk varies so much. A first-time buyer's flat, a family house, a bungalow, a period home and a new build all sit within home insurance, but each carries a different rebuild cost and risk profile. Comparing across insurers matters more than accepting the first quote you see.
Cover usually splits by what you need to protect. buildings insurance covers the structure and permanent fixtures at full rebuild cost, while contents insurance covers your belongings. Owner-occupiers most often buy the two combined on one policy, and can add personal possessions cover for items taken outside the home.
Insurers price home cover against your specific property. They weigh the difference between rebuild cost and market value, why an accurate sum insured matters, how the average clause cuts a claim when the rebuild figure is set too low, and the tighter appetite for flat roofs, subsidence-prone ground and flood-risk postcodes. People running a business from home can add cover for equipment, stock and liability.
Related home cover
How home insurance works
Tell us about your home
Property type, rebuild cost, contents value, security, location, construction and any past claims. The more accurately you declare these details, the tighter the quotes providers can send back.
Compare home insurance quotes
Your details go to providers who price buildings, contents, personal liability and optional extras against your specific home.
Choose your cover and stay protected
Pick the policy that fits your home. Buildings only, contents only, or combined buildings and contents on one renewal date.
What does home insurance cover?
Home insurance combines buildings cover at full rebuild cost with contents cover for your belongings, plus personal liability and alternative accommodation. Exactly what is included depends on whether you take buildings only, contents only or the two combined.
A first-time buyer's flat sits in a very different cover bracket to a family house or a period home. Compare home insurance quotes to see which cover lines apply to your property type, contents value and security.
All policies are arranged through FCA-regulated UK insurance brokers on the MyMoneyComparison.com panel.
Buildings cover at full rebuild cost
Cover for the structure, permanent fixtures and fittings against fire, flood, storm, escape of water, subsidence, impact and theft. The sum insured is set at full rebuild cost, not the market price, and takes in site clearance and professional fees on top.
Personal liability
Legal liability cover if a visitor or member of the public is injured, or their property damaged, in your home or by you or your family, and you are held responsible. Cover of £2m is standard, with £5m available. Included on most buildings and contents policies.
Alternative accommodation
If your home becomes uninhabitable after an insured event such as a fire or flood, the policy pays for somewhere else to live while repairs are carried out. Cover often extends to pets and the cost of moving out and back, up to a set limit.
Contents away from home
Personal possessions cover extends contents protection to items you take outside the home, such as phones, jewellery, bikes and cameras. Optional and sized to a declared sum insured, it covers loss and theft away from the property.
Contents cover
Cover for your belongings inside the home, such as furniture, carpets, appliances, clothes and valuables. Higher-value items like jewellery and watches can be listed separately. Sized to a declared sum insured for the whole home.
Optional extensions and add-ons
Accidental damage for spills and breakages, home emergency cover for burst pipes, boiler breakdown and lost keys, and cover for a business run from home are all available as priced extensions. Add only the extras your home needs.
What home insurance does not cover
A home policy is built around the declared property type, rebuild value, occupancy and how the home is looked after. Once the home moves beyond any of those declared limits, the policy stops paying out. Knowing where the policy ends matters as much as knowing what it includes, because underinsurance, gradual damage and non-disclosure are the biggest reasons home claims are reduced or declined.
Wear, tear and gradual damage
Loss caused by ageing, general deterioration, poor upkeep, slow-acting causes, rot, damp and corrosion falls outside the cover. You are expected to keep your home in good repair. Insurance covers sudden and unforeseen events, not the slow results of neglect.
Unoccupied beyond the policy limit
Most policies restrict cover once your home has stood empty beyond a set limit, usually 30 to 60 days, for example while you are away or between moves. After that, perils such as escape of water, theft and accidental damage fall away unless you arrange specific unoccupied property cover.
Undeclared business use
A standard policy assumes purely domestic use. Running a business from home, holding stock, seeing clients or letting a room can leave a claim reduced or declined if it was not declared. Tell your insurer about any business use so the cover is rated correctly.
Underinsurance and inadequate rebuild value
Where the buildings sum insured falls short of the real rebuild cost, the average clause applies and cuts each claim by the same proportion as the shortfall. A home insured for 75% of its rebuild value has every claim settled at 75%. Always insure at full rebuild cost, not market value.
Deliberate damage and non-disclosure
Damage caused deliberately by you or someone in your household is not covered. Giving wrong or incomplete information when you buy, such as past claims, subsidence history or flood risk, can also void the policy. Answer every question honestly and keep your details up to date.
Damp, leaks and general maintenance
Slow leaks, condensation, penetrating damp and problems that build up over time are treated as maintenance, not an insured event. Repairing a failing roof, blocked guttering or perished sealant is your responsibility, and any resulting damage is unlikely to be met.
How much is excluded differs widely from one insurer to the next and from one home to another. Always check the policy wording carefully on unoccupied limits, rebuild value, business use and material facts before buying. For a closer look at cover while a home stands empty, see our unoccupied property insurance guide.
Home types we cover
Home insurance is rated around the type of property, how it is built and how you use it. A modern semi, a converted flat, a period cottage and a high-value home all fall under home cover, but each carries its own underwriting picture. Getting the right policy starts with matching the cover to your home.
Houses
For semi-detached, terraced and detached houses you own and live in. Buildings cover at full rebuild cost, with contents and personal liability added to suit your home.
Compare home coverFlats and maisonettes
For leasehold flats, purpose-built flats and maisonettes you live in. Buildings cover for the parts you own, plus contents cover for your belongings inside the home.
Flats coverBungalows and new builds
For single-storey bungalows and recently built homes. Modern construction and newer wiring often rate well, and cover is sized to the full rebuild cost of the property.
New build coverPeriod and listed homes
For older, period and listed homes with traditional construction. Rebuild costs are usually higher because of conservation rules and specialist materials, so the sum insured must reflect that.
Period home coverNon-standard construction
For homes with timber frame, thatch, flat roofs or other non-standard features. These need specialist underwriting, since standard policies often will not cover the construction type.
Non-standard coverHigh-value homes and business use
For high-value homes and homes where a business is run from the property. Cover extends to higher contents limits and any equipment, stock or liability the business use brings.
Specialist coverDifferent home types carry different underwriting profiles, which is why comparing the market properly matters. Compare home insurance quotes to see how your property type, construction and rebuild value are rated.
Rebuild cost versus market value, explained
Home buildings insurance pays out against the cost of rebuilding your property, not the market price it would sell for or the price you paid for it. The two figures are very different, and insuring at the wrong one is the most common cause of reduced settlements on home claims. Getting this number right is the most important decision you make when buying buildings cover.
Why rebuild cost is different to market value
Market value reflects what the property plus its land would sell for in current conditions, driven by location, demand and local sale prices. Rebuild cost is the real price of clearing the existing structure and putting it back exactly as it stood the day before the loss, using today's materials and current labour rates, together with all the related professional and statutory fees.
In buoyant city markets the market value often runs well ahead of rebuild cost, since the plot is worth more than what stands on it. In many rural areas the opposite applies. Land value never features in the calculation, because a fire or flood destroys the building, not the ground beneath it. Always insure your home at full rebuild cost, never the purchase price.
What full rebuild cost actually includes
A proper rebuild value comes to more than the straightforward bricks and mortar price a builder might quote. A correctly calculated reinstatement figure includes the structure, demolition and site clearance, professional fees, and any statutory uplift required to bring the new build up to current building regulations. A worked example for a typical three-bed terraced home shows the components:
| Building reconstruction | £150,000 |
| Demolition and site clearance | £12,000 |
| Architect and structural engineer fees | £11,000 |
| Building regulations uplift | £8,000 |
| Surveyor and project management | £6,000 |
| Total rebuild value to insure | £187,000 |
The same property might have a market value of £320,000 in a strong location, or £150,000 in a weaker one. Neither of those prices plays any part in how the premium is set or how a claim is paid. Figures shown are indicative and vary significantly by location, construction and property specification.
How to get the rebuild figure right
For standard houses and flats under £1m in rebuild value, a desktop valuation using BCIS (Building Cost Information Service) data and regional construction indices is often acceptable. For higher-value, listed, complex or unusual properties, a formal reinstatement cost assessment by a RICS-accredited surveyor is the safer route, typically costing £500 to £1,500 and lasting three to five years before review.
Rebuild values should be reviewed each year because construction costs rise, and most good policies index-link the sum insured between reviews to keep pace. UK building cost inflation has averaged 3% to 7% a year recently, and material costs in particular have moved sharply since 2020. A rebuild figure fixed five years ago and left untouched will almost certainly be too low now, even where the policy still looks up to date on paper.
For listed buildings, period homes and architecturally significant properties, rebuild costs can sit at 1.5 to 3 times the rate for equivalent modern construction because of conservation requirements, specialist materials and trade availability. See our home insurance guide for specialist rebuild and conservation cover.
Rebuild cost is the single most important number on any home insurance policy. Compare home insurance quotes through a specialist panel that helps you set the right rebuild value first time.
What impacts home insurance costs
Home insurance premiums vary widely from one property to the next. A modern semi in a low-risk village sits in a very different bracket to a period home in a flood-risk postcode. Several factors feed into the price, from the rebuild value and location to the age of the building and its security. Understanding which of these drives the premium puts you in a better position to ask the right questions before buying.
Set the rebuild value correctly and declare the property's age, construction and any business use accurately at quote stage. Insurer appetite differs more than most homeowners expect. Some insurers will not write non-standard construction, homes in flood or subsidence areas, or homes with previous claims. Others specialise in exactly those risks. Comparing the market properly finds the insurer that fits your home, which is why the same property can produce quotes 30 to 50% apart across the market. Get the rebuild figure right too, because underinsurance triggers the average clause and cuts every claim payout proportionally.
MMC Home Insurance Specialists, FCA-authorised (reg. 916241)
Property age and construction
Older homes with dated wiring, roofing or plumbing often cost more to insure than newer ones. Non-standard construction such as timber frame, flat roofs, thatch or listed status all push the premium up, as does the overall age and condition of the building.
Rebuild value and sum insured
The single biggest price factor. Buildings cover rates on full rebuild cost, not market value, so a higher rebuild figure means a higher premium. Your contents sum insured stacks on top and lifts the price in step, which is why an accurate figure matters.
Bedrooms and voluntary excess
The number of bedrooms is used as a guide to the size of the home and the value of its contents, so a larger home usually costs more to cover. Choosing a higher voluntary excess lowers the premium, as long as you could afford that excess at claim time.
Location, flood, subsidence and crime
Environment Agency flood zones, subsidence areas and local crime rates all feed directly into rating, which is why one postcode can cost many times another. In the highest-risk areas, flood and subsidence excesses can run anywhere from £2,500 to £25,000.
Claims history
Previous escape of water, flood, subsidence or theft claims load the premium and can bring higher excesses or peril exclusions. Claims made at your address by previous owners can count too, so it is worth checking the history before you buy.
Security, locks and alarms
British Standard locks on all final exit doors, a monitored intruder alarm and working smoke detection all reduce the premium. Meeting your insurer's minimum security clause also keeps theft cover valid at claim time.
Every home is rated on its own construction, location, claims history and security setup. Compare home insurance quotes to see how your specific property, rebuild value and security shape the premium across our broker panel.
Choose your home cover level
Home cover is usually structured at three levels. Which one fits depends on whether you need buildings only, contents only or the two combined, your rebuild cost, the value of your belongings, and the extras you want. Most owner-occupiers buy combined buildings and contents on the Plus level, which adds accidental damage and higher single-item limits over the Standard base. Buildings insurance is a condition of nearly every mortgage, and it is insured at rebuild cost, not market value.
Home Standard
The core level, available as buildings only, contents only or the two combined. It covers the structure at full rebuild value and your belongings against the main perils such as fire, flood, storm and theft, with personal liability and alternative accommodation built in. Standard single-item limits apply and accidental damage is not included.
- Buildings at full rebuild value
- Fire, flood, storm and theft
- Accidental damage cover
- Home emergency cover
- Legal expenses cover
Home Plus
The level most owner-occupiers choose. It adds accidental damage, higher single-item limits for valuables, personal possessions away from home and cover for contents in outbuildings and the garden on top of the Standard base. A sensible fit for most family homes on combined buildings and contents.
- Everything in Standard
- Accidental damage included
- Higher single-item valuables limit
- Personal possessions away from home
- Contents in outbuildings and garden
Home Premier
The widest cover for higher-value homes and anyone who wants fewer gaps. Adds home emergency, legal expenses, enhanced accidental damage across buildings and contents, and the highest valuables and away-from-home limits to Plus. The right level for period homes, non-standard construction and larger contents sums.
- Everything in Plus
- Home emergency cover
- Legal expenses cover
- Enhanced accidental damage cover
- Highest valuables and away-from-home limits
| Cover feature | Standard | Plus | Premier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings at full rebuild value | |||
| Fire, flood, storm and theft | |||
| Accidental damage to your home | |||
| Personal possessions away from home | |||
| Higher single-item valuables limit | |||
| Contents in outbuildings and garden | |||
| Home emergency cover | |||
| Legal expenses cover | |||
| Enhanced accidental damage cover | |||
| Highest away-from-home limits |
Cover and optional extras vary between insurers. Compare home insurance quotes to see what each level includes for your home, contents and the extras you want.
How much does home insurance cost in the UK?
Home premiums vary more widely than most owners expect because the rebuild cost, the location and the contents value all pull the price in different directions. The figures below are indicative annual ranges drawn from current UK market data, showing where typical cover sits for the most common home profiles.
There is no fixed price for home insurance. Contents-only cover typically runs from around £60 to £150 a year, buildings-only from around £150 to £300, and combined buildings and contents from around £150 to £400 for a standard home. Higher-value homes and those in flood or subsidence areas can reach £400 to £900 or more. Your rebuild sum insured, location, property age, security and claims history move the price most. Comparing 40+ providers in one search can save you up to £241* against buying direct.
Contents cover
typical annual range, contents cover
Your belongings, furniture, appliances and valuables in a standard home, without the structure. Suited to tenants and to owners of flats where the freeholder insures the building. A modest contents sum sits at the lower end, while high-value belongings and away-from-home cover push it up.
Price moves with- Contents sum insured
- Valuables and single-item limits
- Postcode and crime risk
Combined home cover
typical annual range, buildings and contents
The level most owner-occupiers buy: the structure at full rebuild value plus your belongings on one policy. A standard house or flat of typical rebuild value sits in this range, with personal liability and alternative accommodation built in. Accidental damage and higher limits add to the price.
Price moves with- Rebuild cost and bedrooms
- Accidental damage and extras
- Voluntary excess
High-value or high-risk homes
typical annual range per home
Period homes, non-standard construction, listed buildings and high-value contents, or homes in flood or subsidence areas. Larger rebuild values, thatch or timber frame, a history of claims and higher valuables all push premiums up, and some homes need a specialist insurer.
Price moves with- Rebuild value and construction
- Flood or subsidence history
- Claims history and security
Ranges shown are indicative annual figures for cover including the structure at full rebuild value, personal liability and the perils typically built into a home policy. Insurance Premium Tax is included. Premiums sit at the top end when a home is left unoccupied, because of the higher risk of theft, escape of water and unnoticed damage, usually with a 30 to 60 day limit before cover restricts. Listed buildings, non-standard construction, homes under renovation and those in high flood-risk postcodes typically need a specialist insurer and bespoke underwriting. Every home is priced against its own risk picture rather than a standard table.
Important: The figures on this page are indicative annual ranges drawn from current UK market data and home insurance sources. They are illustrative only and do not constitute a quotation or offer of insurance. Actual premiums vary significantly by individual circumstances, property type, construction, rebuild value, contents value, occupancy status, postcode, claims history and insurer. Always compare multiple quotes before purchasing. MyMoneyComparison.com Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FCA registration number 916241.
Premiums are individually quoted. Compare home insurance quotes to see what your home, contents and rebuild value price at across 40+ UK providers.
When home claims get paid, and when they get declined or reduced
Most home claims get paid. The ones that get declined or reduced almost always come back to the same handful of issues: underinsurance against full rebuild value, a home left unoccupied beyond the declared limit, an undisclosed material fact, poor maintenance, or gradual wear and tear. Whether a claim settles in full or comes back reduced or refused is generally determined at the quote stage, well before any incident occurs.
| Scenario | When the claim is paid in full | When the claim is reduced or declined |
|---|---|---|
| Fire damage to your home | Paid Building insured at full current rebuild value, the sum insured accurate, wiring and appliances maintained, and the claim within the policy terms. Alternative accommodation cover sized to a realistic rebuild period. | Reduced Where the building is insured for less than its rebuild cost, the average clause applies and the payout is cut back. A material fact left off the quote, such as undeclared business use, can void cover entirely. |
| Escape of water from internal plumbing | Paid Home occupied or within the declared unoccupancy limit, plumbing maintained to a reasonable standard, claim notified promptly and a sudden burst pipe rather than a gradual leak. Escape of water is one of the most common home claims. | Declined Home left empty beyond the 30 to 60 day unoccupancy limit so cover restricts, a gradual leak treated as wear and tear, or unmaintained plumbing flagged at assessment. |
| Storm damage to roof or external structure | Paid Damage caused by a recognised storm event with verifiable wind speed and rainfall data, building in reasonable repair before the storm, and any flat roof declared accurately. | Declined Pre-existing roof disrepair attributed to wear and tear, an undeclared flat roof outside cover, or a weather event below the storm definition wind speed threshold. |
| Accidental damage to contents or the home | Paid Accidental damage cover on the policy, the loss a genuine one-off accident such as a spill or a foot through the ceiling rather than wear and tear, and the claim reported promptly. | Declined Standard policy without accidental damage cover, damage reclassified as fair wear and tear, or a gradual fault rather than a sudden accident. |
| Subsidence cracking to walls or foundations | Paid Subsidence cover on the policy, any earlier subsidence disclosed at quote, a structural engineer's report confirming the cause, and reasonable maintenance of drainage and trees. | Declined Earlier subsidence left off the quote (Insurance Act 2015 breach), subsidence taken off cover completely at renewal following an earlier claim, or cracking attributed to settlement rather than subsidence. |
| Visitor injured at your home by a falling tile or trip hazard | Paid Personal liability cover on the policy, the home kept in reasonable repair, no prior reports of the same hazard ignored, and reasonable steps taken to keep visitors safe. | Declined Personal liability excluded or not selected at quote, a hazard previously reported and ignored, or an injury unrelated to the home you are responsible for. |
Reduced or declined home claims almost always trace back to one of a few things: underinsurance against full rebuild value (the average clause), a home left unoccupied beyond the declared limit, an undisclosed material fact (prior subsidence, business use), poor maintenance, or a gradual fault treated as wear and tear. Loss adjusters routinely request rebuild valuations, receipts and maintenance records at claim stage to verify the policy matches reality.
A good home policy prices these scenarios in from the start. Compare home insurance quotes to see what is included as standard and what needs to be added for your specific home and contents.
How to prepare for a home insurance quote
An accurate quote starts with accurate figures. Ten minutes gathering your rebuild sum insured, contents value and security details before you fill in the form means cleaner quotes, fewer follow-up calls and better terms across the panel.
Gather property details and rebuild figures
Insurers price buildings cover on the rebuild cost, not the market value. Get your property details together before you begin.
- Property address, year built and construction type
- Full rebuild cost, not market value (BCIS or RICS assessment)
- Property type and number of bedrooms
- Listed status, roof type and non-standard construction
Know your contents value and security
Contents cover and premiums are priced on what you own and how the home is protected.
- Total contents value, plus any high-value items
- Door and window locks, alarms and smart security
- Claims history over the past five years
- Any business run from home and non-standard features
Compare and get your quotes
Submit once and compare cover from home insurers across the panel.
- Quotes from FCA-regulated home insurers
- Buildings only, contents only or combined
- Optional accidental damage and home emergency
- One form, multiple home insurance quotes
Non-standard and high-risk home cover
Mainstream home insurers will not write every risk. Listed buildings, flood-zone postcodes, homes with prior subsidence, unoccupied homes, high-value homes, non-standard construction and homes with previous claims all sit outside standard appetite. Open any section below to see how specialist underwriting addresses the eight categories of non-standard home UK owners ask about most often.
Listed buildings and period property
Grade I, Grade II* and Grade II listed buildings carry conservation obligations that significantly affect rebuild cost. Like-for-like reinstatement using period materials, specialist trades and conservation-officer approval can lift the rebuild figure to 1.5 to 3 times the rate for equivalent modern construction, and the buildings sum insured has to reflect that.
Specialist listed property insurers price for conservation-grade reinstatement, longer claims timelines and the regulatory complexity of restoring a listed structure. Mainstream home insurers either decline or apply restrictive terms. See our listed building home insurance guide for specialist cover.
Flood-risk postcodes and EA flood zones
Homes in Environment Agency Flood Zone 2 (medium risk) and Flood Zone 3 (high risk) postcodes routinely trigger raised flood excesses of £2,500 to £25,000, with some insurers excluding flood entirely. Homes that have already had a flood claim meet the tightest restrictions of all.
Specialist flood-risk underwriters mean cover is usually available for your home, but at materially higher rates with surveyor-led risk improvements. Flood resilience measures (raised electrics, flood barriers, dry-flood-proofing) can reduce excesses and secure cover that would otherwise be declined.
Subsidence history and clay soil postcodes
Properties with prior subsidence claims, properties in clay-soil postcodes (parts of the South East and South West in particular) and properties with mature trees within ground-bearing distance of the building all attract underwriting restrictions. After an earlier claim, subsidence is frequently dropped from cover altogether when the policy renews.
Specialist insurers can pick up subsidence cover where the structural movement has been stabilised, engineering reports support the cause and ongoing monitoring is in place. Standard insurers usually impose an across-the-board subsidence exclusion once there is a history of claims.
Unoccupied and empty homes
Most standard home policies cap unoccupied periods at 30 to 60 days before cover restricts automatically to fire, lightning and explosion only. A home left empty for longer without specific unoccupied cover loses escape of water, theft, malicious damage and accidental damage, which is when the majority of empty property claims actually occur.
Specialist unoccupied home underwriters offer dedicated policies sized to the reason it is empty (extended time away, under renovation, awaiting sale, probate). Cover is conditional on recorded inspection routines, draining down the water system and security precautions. See our unoccupied home insurance guide.
High-value homes
Homes with a rebuild cost above standard limits, or contents worth more than a typical policy allows, carry higher exposure. High-value homes often hold fine art, jewellery, antiques and other valuables that standard single-item limits will not cover in full.
Many mainstream insurers cap sums insured or single-item values below what a high-value home needs. Specialist high-net-worth underwriters price these homes properly, with valuations, security systems and specified valuables all feeding into the terms.
Flats and cladding
Flats and converted buildings usually have buildings cover arranged by the freeholder or a management company for the whole structure, so owner-occupiers insure their contents and any improvements themselves. Communal areas and shared roofs can complicate where a claim sits between the block policy and your own.
Buildings with combustible aluminium composite material (ACM) or similar panel cladding have faced significantly tighter underwriting since 2017, and some insurers exclude them entirely. Specialist cover is available where fire risk assessments, cladding-type certification and any remediation plans are in place.
Non-standard construction: thatch, flat roof and spray foam
Homes with more than 25% flat roof construction routinely trigger raised excesses or partial cover restrictions, since flat roofs carry higher escape of water and storm exposure. Insurers want recent inspection reports and a documented maintenance record.
Thatched roofs, spray foam insulation, timber-frame, steel-frame and prefabricated construction all need specialist underwriting. Thatch attracts strict fire and chimney requirements, and spray foam can make a property difficult to mortgage, so full disclosure of the construction type is essential before cover is agreed.
Homes with previous claims
Homes with a run of previous claims, whether escape of water, theft, storm or subsidence, sit outside standard appetite. Each claim raises the price, and after two or three many mainstream insurers decline to renew or quote at all.
Specialist insurers assess these homes individually rather than from a standard rating table, taking account of repairs and improvements made since. Honest disclosure of your full claims history at quote stage is essential, since the Insurance Act 2015 makes undisclosed material facts grounds for avoidance.
Each non-standard home falls into its own specialist underwriting category. Compare home insurance quotes to see how your specific property and risk profile are rated across the MyMoneyComparison.com panel.
Who needs home insurance?
Anyone who owns the home they live in needs home insurance, though what you need depends on whether you have a mortgage, own outright, own a flat or run a business from home. Mortgage lenders require buildings cover as a condition of the loan, and contents insurance is optional but strongly recommended.
Homeowners with a mortgage
Owner-occupiers paying off a mortgage. Lenders require buildings cover at full rebuild cost as a loan condition, so the policy must be in place from the day you complete.
First-time buyers
People buying their first home, often arranging cover for the first time. A combined buildings and contents policy protects the structure your lender insists on and the belongings you have just moved in.
Over-50s homeowners
Homeowners over 50, who often qualify for lower premiums and higher contents limits. Cover can reflect a home that is occupied during the day and holds valuables built up over the years.
Families and outright owners
Families and owners who have cleared the mortgage. Buildings cover is no longer demanded by a lender, but contents insurance is still strongly recommended to protect furniture, appliances and belongings.
Flat and leasehold owners
Owner-occupiers of leasehold flats where the freeholder or block policy insures the structure. Contents cover fills the gap the block policy leaves for your belongings and any interior improvements.
Running a business from home
Owner-occupiers working or running a business from home. Business use should be declared so equipment, stock and liability are covered, since a standard home policy often excludes undeclared business activity.
Whatever your circumstances, cover should reflect how you actually live in the home. Compare home insurance quotes to match the policy to your property, contents and risk profile.
Home insurance vs landlord insurance
The two products are often confused but cover different situations. Home insurance covers the place you live in with your household. Landlord insurance is built around a property let to tenants, with cover for property owners' liability and lost rent. Once you let a property, a home policy is invalid on it, which is one of the most common reasons a claim is reduced or declined.
| Comparison | Landlord insurance You let it to tenants | Home insurance You live there |
|---|---|---|
| Who lives in the property | Tenants under an assured shorthold or periodic tenancy. Often sharers, students, working tenants or a family who are not the owner | You and your household live there as your main home. No tenancy agreement and no rent changing hands |
| Underwriting basis | Rated as a let property, with tenant type and occupancy declared. Student, benefits and HMO lets are priced differently from working tenants | Rated as an owner-occupied home. The insurer assumes you live there and the property is not let for profit |
| Rental income protection | Loss of rent cover included, paying the rent lost while the property is uninhabitable after an insured event such as a fire or flood | No rent to protect. Alternative accommodation covers your household while repairs are done, not lost rent |
| Liability cover | Property owners' liability essential. The landlord stays liable for injury to tenants or visitors caused by the building. Typically £2m, with £5m available | Personal liability for you and your household as occupiers. It does not extend to injury claims from tenants in a let property |
| Tenant-related risks | Void periods between tenancies, tenant default and eviction cover, and malicious or accidental tenant damage can all be added to the policy | Not applicable. With no tenants there is no void period, rent default or tenant damage for the policy to respond to |
| Damage by occupants | Malicious damage by tenants available as an endorsement. Fair wear and tear sits with the tenancy deposit, not the policy | Accidental damage to your own home can be added, but there is no separate cover for damage caused by tenants |
| If you use the wrong product | Cover responds correctly, the claim is paid, and the policy matches the fact that the property is let to tenants | A home policy is invalid once you let the property. Not telling the insurer is a material non-disclosure that can reduce or void a claim |
Important: Cover detail shown is indicative of how UK home and landlord policies are typically structured. It is illustrative only and does not constitute a quotation or offer of insurance. Specific policy wording, sums insured, indemnity periods and exclusions vary by insurer and individual circumstances. MyMoneyComparison.com Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FCA registration number 916241.
If you let a property, a home policy will not cover it correctly. Compare landlord insurance quotes to make sure the cover matches the way the property is actually used.
Home insurance add-ons and optional extras
Standard home insurance covers the core risks, but optional extras widen the cover to match how you actually live. Accidental damage, home emergency, cover for possessions away from home, legal expenses and business use each close a common gap for a small extra premium, so you only pay for what you need.
Home insurance add-ons let you widen a buildings and contents policy to fit your household. The most useful are accidental damage, home emergency, personal possessions and away-from-home cover, family legal expenses, and cover for a business run from home. Each is bolted onto the main policy for an extra premium, so you only pay for the extras you actually need.
Accidental damage
Covers one-off mishaps that standard cover excludes, like a foot through the loft floor, spilt paint on a carpet or a drill through a pipe. It can apply to buildings, contents or both, and is one of the most claimed add-ons.
Home emergency
Gives you a 24-hour helpline and an approved tradesperson for sudden problems such as a burst pipe, boiler breakdown, blocked drains or being locked out. It covers the call-out and initial repair up to a set limit. Check the policy details for exclusions.
Personal possessions cover
Extends contents cover to higher-value items like jewellery, watches, cameras and laptops. You list valuable items individually above the single-article limit so they are insured for their full worth.
Away-from-home cover
Covers belongings taken outside the home, such as a phone, handbag, bike or laptop, against loss, theft or damage in the UK and often abroad. It suits anyone who regularly carries valuables around.
Family legal expenses
Pays legal costs for disputes over your home, employment, personal injury or consumer contracts, up to a set limit. It usually comes with a legal advice helpline you can call before a problem escalates.
Business-from-home cover
Covers business equipment, stock and public liability when you work or run a business from home, which standard contents cover excludes. It suits home offices, online sellers and anyone seeing clients at the property.
Add-ons only add value if they match how you live, so check what your main policy already includes first. Compare home insurance quotes to see which extras are worth adding for your household.
How to reduce home insurance costs
There are real practical levers that move a home insurance premium downwards without cutting the cover you need or breaching your mortgage conditions. Getting the rebuild value right, carrying a higher voluntary excess and pulling two or three of these together can deliver worthwhile savings at your next renewal.
Set an accurate rebuild sum insured
Insure buildings at the rebuild cost, not the market value or sale price. Too low and the average clause cuts your payout; too high and you overpay. Use a BCIS-based rebuild calculator or a surveyor's figure and keep it up to date.
Carry a higher voluntary excess
Agreeing to pay more of any claim yourself lowers the premium. Set a voluntary excess you could comfortably afford on top of the compulsory excess, but not so high that a genuine claim is no longer worth making.
Fit good security
British Standard approved locks on doors and windows, a burglar alarm and smoke detectors reduce theft and fire claims, and insurers price recognised security straight into the rate. Tell them exactly what is fitted.
Combine buildings and contents
Buying buildings and contents together on one policy is usually cheaper than two separate policies. It also avoids any dispute over which insurer pays when one event damages both the structure and your belongings.
Avoid small claims
Every claim, and sometimes just an enquiry, can raise your next premium and erode any no-claims discount. For minor damage close to your excess, it is often cheaper to pay for the repair yourself and keep your claims record clean.
Shop around at renewal
Loyalty is not rewarded, so never just accept the renewal quote. Insurers often raise the price for existing customers, so compare the market each year and be ready to switch, using the renewal figure as the price to beat.
The biggest reductions come from stacking two or three of these together rather than relying on a single one. Paying annually rather than monthly, and turning off auto-renew so you compare every year, both help too. Compare home insurance quotes to see what your specific property and cover level prices at.
Specialist Home Insurance
Specialist home insurance comparison since 2013
Since 2013, MyMoneyComparison.com has helped UK homeowners find cover without the runaround. Whether you are insuring a first home, a flat, a period property, a new build, a listed building or a non-standard construction, or you need buildings and contents together, our specialist broker panel covers homes every day. Compare home insurance from a panel that understands rebuild cost, contents value, personal liability, accidental damage and the full range of UK home risks.
Comparing home insurance the right way
The cheapest quote is not always the right one. Before you buy, check the sum insured, the excess and the exclusions actually match your home, and disclose everything you are asked. A slightly higher premium with the right cover beats a cheap policy that will not pay out when you claim.
Sorting on price alone
Picking the lowest price hides what the policy actually does. The cheapest quote often carries a low sum insured, a high excess or exclusions that will not respond when you claim, so it looks competitive but leaves gaps you only find at the worst moment.
What gets missed- Sum insured set too low for the rebuild
- High excess buried in the detail
- Exclusions that do not match your home
- Contents or accidental damage left off
- Details not fully disclosed at quote
Cover matched to your home
FCA-regulated brokers who match the cover to the home you actually have. The sum insured, excess, contents value and any extras are checked against your property so the policy responds when you claim, not just on price.
Checked properly- Rebuild sum insured checked, not market value
- Excess and cover levels made clear
- Buildings, contents or combined as needed
- Accidental damage and home emergency options
- Everything disclosed so claims are paid
A quote that wins on price often excludes the cover you actually need. Buy it and you can find the rebuild value set too low, the excess higher than expected, or a key risk left out of the schedule, which is exactly the pattern that triggers reduced or declined claims under the average clause and the Insurance Act 2015. Always disclose everything you are asked and confirm the sum insured, excess and exclusions match your home before you pay.
Compare home insurance quotes with some of the UK's top providers, including:
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Gauntlet fleet insurance
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Everything You Need to Know
Detailed answers to help you understand more about home insurance.
What is home insurance?
Home insurance protects the place you live and the things inside it. It comes in three forms: buildings insurance for the structure, walls, roof and permanent fixtures; contents insurance for your belongings and furniture; and a combined policy that covers both. Most owner-occupiers buy buildings and contents together on one policy.
Is home insurance a legal requirement?
Home insurance is not required by law, but if you have a mortgage your lender will make buildings insurance a condition of the loan. Contents insurance is always optional, though it is worth having because replacing everything you own after a fire or theft is expensive. Owning outright means the choice is yours.
What does buildings insurance cover?
Buildings insurance covers the permanent structure of your home: the walls, roof, floors, ceilings and fitted kitchens and bathrooms. It usually extends to garages, outbuildings, drives, walls and fences. It pays to repair or rebuild after events such as fire, flood, storm, subsidence, escape of water and impact.
What does contents insurance cover?
Contents insurance covers the things you would take with you if you moved: furniture, appliances, electronics, clothes and valuables. It typically pays out for theft, fire, flood and other insured damage. Optional personal possessions cover extends to items you take out of the home, such as phones, jewellery and bikes.
Should I insure my home for rebuild cost or market value?
Your buildings sum insured should be the rebuild cost, not the market or sale price. Rebuild cost is what it would take to rebuild your home from the ground up, including materials, labour, demolition and professional fees, and it is often lower than the market value. Insuring at the sale price usually means paying too much or setting the wrong figure.
What is the average clause and underinsurance?
The average clause lets an insurer cut a payout in proportion to any underinsurance. If your rebuild value is set at 75% of the true figure, the insurer can reduce a claim by the same proportion, so a £20,000 claim pays only £15,000. Setting an accurate sum insured for both buildings and contents protects you from this.
Does home insurance cover subsidence, flood, storm and escape of water?
Standard buildings cover includes subsidence, flood, storm and escape of water as insured perils. Homes in known flood or subsidence areas can face higher premiums, larger excesses or specific terms. Declaring any past flooding, movement or previous underpinning accurately is essential, or a later claim can be refused.
What is accidental damage, home emergency and legal expenses cover?
These are optional extras you can add to most home policies. Accidental damage covers one-off mishaps such as putting a foot through the ceiling or spilling paint on a carpet. Home emergency helps with urgent problems like a burst pipe or boiler breakdown, and legal expenses cover funds certain disputes.
Does contents insurance cover my belongings away from home?
Standard contents cover applies inside the home, but personal possessions cover extends to items you take out, such as phones, jewellery, watches and bikes. High-value items usually need to be listed individually above a single-article limit. Check the away-from-home limit and whether cover applies within the UK only or worldwide.
Does home insurance cover a business run from home?
A standard policy often covers a modest amount of office equipment, but running a business from home usually needs to be declared. Business stock, specialist equipment and public liability for visitors are not covered as standard. Add business-from-home cover or a separate policy so equipment, stock and liability are protected.
What happens if my home is left unoccupied?
Most policies allow your home to be unoccupied for a set period, commonly 30 to 60 days, before cover is reduced or suspended. Longer absences, such as extended travel or a home awaiting sale, usually need specific unoccupied property cover. Tell your insurer as soon as the home will be empty beyond the allowed period.
What affects the price of home insurance?
Price is driven by your rebuild sum insured, the value of your contents, and where you live, as flood, subsidence and crime rates all matter. Property age, construction type, the number of bedrooms and your claims history also feed in. Better door and window locks, an alarm and a higher voluntary excess can bring the premium down.
How much does home insurance cost?
There is no fixed price, because every home and its contents are different. Buildings and contents value, location, property type and the cover level you choose all move the figure. Comparing across 40+ providers helps you find the right cover for less, with savings of up to £241* against buying without comparing.
What is not covered by home insurance?
Home insurance covers sudden, unexpected events, not the slow decline of a property. Wear and tear, gradual damage, damp and any loss caused by a lack of maintenance are excluded. Deliberate damage, undeclared business use and neglecting to keep the home in good repair can also lead to a claim being refused.
Do I need home insurance if I rent the property out?
No. A standard home insurance policy assumes you live in the property and becomes invalid once it is let to tenants. If you rent your home out you need landlord insurance, which adds property owners’ liability, loss of rent and cover for tenant damage. Letting a home on a residential policy risks every claim being declined.
Can I insure a new build, listed or non-standard home?
Yes. Houses, flats, bungalows, new builds, period homes, listed buildings and non-standard construction such as thatch or timber frame can all be insured. Listed and period homes need cover that reflects higher rebuild costs and like-for-like traditional materials. Non-standard homes are often best placed through a specialist insurer.
Home insurance vs landlord insurance: which do I need?
Home insurance is for the property you live in as the owner-occupier. The moment you let a property to tenants you need landlord insurance instead, which is built for tenanted homes and covers void periods, tenant type, loss of rent and owner liability. If you are letting a property, look at our landlord insurance instead.
What home insurance add-ons and optional extras can I choose?
You can build a policy around your home with a range of extras. The most common are accidental damage, home emergency, personal possessions and away-from-home cover, and legal expenses. If you work from home, business-from-home cover protects equipment, stock and liability. Add only what fits your home to keep the premium sensible.
How can I reduce the cost of my home insurance?
Set an accurate sum insured, raise your voluntary excess, and improve security with approved locks and an alarm. Combining buildings and contents on one policy, paying annually and avoiding small claims all help. Loyalty is rarely rewarded, so compare and switch at renewal rather than letting the policy auto-renew.
Why do home insurance claims get declined?
Claims are paid when the risk was disclosed correctly, the home was maintained and the loss falls within the policy terms. They are declined or reduced for underinsurance, non-disclosure, gradual or unforced damage, or breaching a policy condition such as leaving the home unoccupied too long. Accurate details and a well-kept home keep cover valid.
How do I compare home insurance the right way?
Do not just pick the cheapest quote. Check that the buildings sum insured matches your rebuild cost, that the contents value is realistic, and that the excess and exclusions suit your home. The right policy is the one that responds properly at claim time, not simply the lowest price on the page.
Why compare home insurance with MyMoneyComparison?
Comparing lets you check cover and price across 40+ UK providers in one place instead of accepting a renewal quote. It can save you up to £241* against buying without comparing, while making sure the sum insured and excess suit your home. MyMoneyComparison.com is FCA-authorised and does not advise on or sell policies.
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