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*10% of customers paid £132 for combined buildings and contents cover annually for the period July - September 2024 based on Confused.com data.
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What do I need to get a home insurance quote?

We can help you compare home insurance quotes, it's what we're good at! You’ll need a few details ready when you get a quote with us:

  • Property details,

    such as when it was built, what type of property it is, and how many bedrooms it has.

  • Rebuild cost

    of your home if it were completely destroyed. Don't worry, when you get a home insurance quote with us, we can estimate this figure for you using Experian data.

  • The type of home insurance policy

    you need. You may need buildings insurance, contents insurance, or a combination of both.

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What is home insurance?

Essentially, home insurance is there to protect your home and belongings. There are two different types of policies: buildings insurance and contents insurance.

You can buy these policies independently of each other, or you can bring them together under a single policy. This can be useful and often cheaper for homeowners who want cover for their property and its contents.

Do I need home insurance?

Home insurance isn't a legal requirement. But it's worth considering as it can protect you if something happens to your home or contents - leaving you out of pocket.

Home insurance could be important to:

Homeowners

may be required to have buildings insurance as part of their mortgage agreement. This policy can cover the cost of repairing your home if it's damaged, such as in a flood.

 

Renters or tenants

should consider contents insurance, also known as tenants insurance, to protect their personal belongings from loss, theft, or damage. While landlords typically have buildings insurance, this does not cover tenants possessions

 

Landlords

may need buildings insurance, especially if they have a mortgage. A specialist landlord insurance policy can provide cover for legal issues, home emergencies, rental protection, and more.

Live-in landlords

can consider lodger or Airbnb insurance for additional cover, including liability and legal expenses.

 

Flat sharers

can consider shared house contents insurance to protect their belongings at a potentially lower cost than individual policies.

 

Students

living away from home can consider specialist student contents insurance to protect their belongings, especially valuable items like laptops and phones. Buildings insurance is often provided in student halls or accommodations.

 

Holiday homeowners

often need specialist insurance to cover their unoccupied properties, especially if they rent them out. Standard home insurance policies may not provide adequate coverage for extended periods of vacancy.

What type of house insurance do I need?

There are two types of home insurance, contents insurance and buildings insurance. Although these can exist separately, you can combine both into one policy with the same insurer. This can not only be convenient, but you can get a discount for buying a combined policy.

Buildings insurance

It's best to think of buildings insurance as a means of protecting your home's structure. Your roof, windows, walls, doors and more is covered by this policy if they're damaged by a fire, storm or flood. It also includes cover for permanent fittings and fixings such as kitchen units, for example.

Contents insurance

A contents home insurance policy covers belongings in your home. This generally includes everything you can move such as sofas, beds, TV's, computers and more. This type of policy does include cover amounts, so if any item's value exceeds the single item limit you might need to consider additional cover.

Combined home insurance

If you're looking to combine both types of home insurance, you can do so under one policy. It can often be cheaper than buying separate buildings and contents policies. Your living situation should dictate what home insurance you need, so it's best to compare quotes to make sure this is the policy for you.

What does home insurance cover?

Here's what's usually covered, and what's not covered by home insurance:

Tick

What's typically covered?

Fire

Your policy should cover any damage that's caused by fire.

Flooding

Home insurance can pay to repair flood damage to your home and your contents.

Storms

If any part of your home gets damaged by a storm, your cover should help to pay to fix the damage.

Subsidence

This happens when the ground below your home starts to sink. Your house insurance should cover subsidence.

Theft

If there's a break in at your home and your belongings are stolen, your provider should cover you. It should cover any damage to windows and doors too.

Falling trees

If a tree falls on your home and damages it, your policy can pay for repair.

Burst pipes

If a pipe bursts in your home it can cause damage to your furniture, flooring and carpets. Home insurance should cover damaged caused by burst pipes.

Cross

What's typically not covered?

Everyday wear and tear

Jobs such as replacing your guttering or worn carpets aren't covered.

Routine maintenance

For example, re-pointing brick work. Properly maintaining your property on a regular basis will help.

Pet damage

If your pet chews your sofa, it's likely not covered on your policy unless you have accidental damage cover.

Pest damage

You're rarely covered for pest damage unless it's due to something out of your control, for example a storm.

Deliberate damage

Your policy doesn't cover you if you deliberately damage an item and try to claim for it.

Bad work from a tradesperson

You should be covered for bad workmanship by your tradesperson's liability insurance.

As ever, each insurer and policy is different from the next so you should always check what is and isn't included before you buy home insurance.

How much does home insurance cost?

Here's a rough idea of how much you might pay for home insurance*:

Buildings insurance

£125

Contents insurance

£45

Combined buildings and contents insurance

£132


*Based on 10% of customers paying annually for the period July - September 2024, based on Confused.com data.

Several factors influence home insurance costs. For buildings insurance, the size of your property, number of bedrooms, and roof type (especially flat roofs) are key. Flat roofs can be riskier and might increase your premium.

For contents insurance, your location, home security, the value of your possessions, and who you live with all impact the cost.

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What's the cheapest home insurance?

The idea of cheap home insurance is slightly unfounded. Comparing quotes is the best way to find the best price for the policy you need. But this doesn't necessarily mean you should buy the cheapest policy you can find.

You will need to consider what you need from a home insurance policy and the level of cover you require. The cheapest option isn't always the best - there could be a number of exclusions, only offering you a very basic level of cover. You may find the cover amounts don't offer you enough financial protection, this can leave you out of pocket if you need to claim.

We'll always ask you what you need from a home insurance policy before you begin comparing quotes. This way you can find the policy you need at the right price.

How do I get cheaper home insurance?

There are lots of simple ways you can lower the cost of home insurance, including:

  • Shop around and don't auto-renew,

    always compare quotes to find the best deal.

  • Consider a combined policy,

    combining buildings and contents insurance into a single policy to save money.

  • Pay annually,

    save on the interest charges often applied to monthly payments by paying annually instead.

  • Increase home security.

    Improve your home security with approved locks, cameras, and alarms.

  • Increase your excess.

    There are two types of excess - compulsory and voluntary. Just remember, if you make a claim, you'll need to pay the amount you choose

  • Be accurate with the value of your contents.

    If you overestimate the value of your contents you could be paying for cover you don't need.

  • Build up your no-claims discount.

    It won't happen overnight, but the longer you go without claiming, the greater the potential discount of your NCB.

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**Single annual policy. New and former Paramount+ subscribers only who sign up at ParamountPlus.com. Subscription required. Auto-renews unless cancelled. 18+. Just Eat website account required, geographical exclusions apply. The year-round reward is provided by Greggs, and consists of one regular hot drink per month for a year, only available via the Confused.com app. T&Cs apply.

Why choose Confused.com?

  • Our partners.

    We work closely with insurance partners to negotiate deals and special offers. If you're eligible for a special offer, you'll see it among your other quote results.

  • Who we work with.

    We work with 81 home insurance companies1, giving you a wide choice of policies to choose from.

  • We're 100% independent.

    We're not owned by an insurance company so we'll always show you our best prices that are available at the time.

  • Beat your renewal.

    We guarantee to beat your renewal. And if we can't, we'll give you the difference, plus £20.2

2Single annual policy only. T&Cs apply. Must be a like-for-like policy.

What factors affect the cost of home insurance?

Insurers assess the various risks that your property can pose leading to a claim. As such, the greater the risk of damage or loss, the more you're likely to pay for home insurance. This can include:

  • Property size,

    as larger homes may increase the rebuild costs, leading to higher premiums.


  • Where you live,

    as various factors such as the flood risk and crime rates in certain areas can affect what you pay for home insurance.


  • Building materials and type of roof,

    as timber framed properties, listed buildings and flat roofs all pose a greater risk in the eyes of insurers, for example.


  • Home security,

    to protect your home such as an alarm system and approved locks can reduce the likelihood of burglary.

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  • Age of the property,

    as an older property may have ageing electrical wiring and plumbing. The materials used to initially build your home may also be expensive to replace.


  • No claims discount,

    as insurers will look at your claims history, building NCB can reduce what you pay for a house insurance policy.


  • Excess,

    like we mentioned earlier, by increasing your voluntary excess contribution this can in turn reduce what you pay.


  • Value of contents,

    is actually, pretty straightforward. Owning more high-value items can make your policy more expensive - especially with higher cover amounts.


  • Policy add-ons

    will cost you more. But if you decide to add further cover to your home insurance policy, such as accidental damage insurance, make sure it's right for you.

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What home insurance add-ons are available?

When you compare home insurance quotes with us, we'll ask you whether you require further cover that's not typically included in a standard policy. You might want additional cover for high-value items you own, or feel like you want accidental damage cover to protect your brand new carpet, for example.

These features come at an additional cost, so it's important to assess whether you actually need them before you buy. Here's some examples of additional cover:

High-value items cover

If you own multiple high-value items, you'll be able to list these on your policy as 'separate items'. That way they don't count towards your total cover amount, but you'll still have financial protection in place. It's worth considering as individual item limits are typically around £1,000.

 

Home emergency cover

Emergencies that could damage your home or be a risk to your health need to be immediately attended to. This cover can protect you from the cost of an urgent callout in the event of a boiler breakdown or loss of heating, for example.

Legal protection

Can provide you with cover if you enter a legal dispute with a neighbour, for example. If you do require additional legal cover, make sure you read your policy documents to ascertain how much you're covered for. Legal costs can stack up quickly!

 

Personal possessions cover

If your gadgets or other items are stolen, lost or damaged while you're away from home, personal possessions cover can protect you. This could be jewellery, a watch, or your phone, for example.

 

Alternative accommodation

Should something unexpected such as a fire or storm leave your property uninhabitable, alternative accommodation insurance can provide you with somewhere temporary to stay.

 

Accidental damage

Worried about staining your brand new cream sofa? Accidental damage cover can put your mind at ease should these type of accidents happen as a result of something unexpected and non-deliberate.

What other types of home insurance are available?

Tenants insurance

Protects your belongings if you're living in rented accommodation.

Flat insurance

A type of home insurance specifically for flats.

New build home insurance

Designed for newly built homes.

Student home insurance

Can protect your belongings in student accommodation.

Renovation insurance

Can provide additional cover during building work or extensions.

Listed building insurance

Designed for properties with specific heritage or architectural significance.

Subsidence insurance

A specialist policy for properties at risk of subsidence.

Flood insurance

Can protect your property in flood-prone areas.

Non-standard home insurance

For properties with unique features, such as timber framed or thatched roofs.

Unoccupied house insurance

Can protect your property if you're away for extended periods

Leasehold buildings insurance

May be required for leaseholders of specific properties.

Second home insurance

Designed for properties that are left empty for significant periods.

What our home insurance expert says

"Shopping around to find the best home insurance quotes is a great way to save money. You can auto-renew with your current insurer but with premiums still more expensive than last year, comparing home insurance quotes could be cheaper.

With the uncertainty of energy prices this winter, you might be tempted to save money and not get home insurance. And while it isn't a legal requirement, a home insurance policy could cover you if the worst happened to your home and belongings."

Matthew Harwood, Home & lifestyle insurance expert at Confused.com
Home & lifestyle insurance expert Confused.com logo

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Frequently asked questions

Are my belongings only protected inside the home?

Yes. If you want to cover your belongings out and about, you'll need to consider adding personal possessions cover to your home insurance policy as an extra. This helps protect possessions while your away from home such as your:

  • Mobile phone
  • Bags
  • Jewellery

Some insurers can include this cover as standard, but you can add it to your contents policy.

This usually covers items worth less than £1,000 each away from home. You can add cover for high value items worth more than £1,000 or laptops and bikes in your quote.

Can I change my home insurance excess?

Yes. As mentioned, there are 2 kinds of excess - voluntary and compulsory.

As the name suggests, you can’t change your compulsory excess - that’s set in stone by your insurance company. But you do have some autonomy by increasing or decreasing your voluntary excess. Increasing your voluntary excess is one way you can lower your home insurance costs. But, in turn this does mean you have to pay more if you make a claim.

If you’re worried about how much excess to pay, it’s important to think about what works best with your circumstances. If you can afford to pay a higher excess in the event of a claim it could lower the cost of your insurance policy, saving you money.

Can I get home insurance if I live in a flood risk area?

Yes, flood insurance is usually covered in most home insurance policies - but it’s still worth checking the finer details with your provider.

The ABI (Association of British Insurers) launched the Flood Re. scheme in 2016, to help those living in flood risk areas find affordable home insurance. The scheme estimates that hundreds of thousands of UK homes could be harder to insure due to being at high risk from flooding. All home insurance providers in the UK pay into the scheme, with the money raised used to cover homes at risk of flooding.

Does home insurance cover roof leaks?

Home insurance usually covers roof leaks if you have home emergency cover. Cover for roof damage can be included as standard with some insurers but always check your policy details to be sure.

If finding the source of a leak proves to be more difficult than first thought, trace and access cover could help. This means finding out where a potential leak is coming from. It’s included in most home insurance policies.

How much cover do I need?

So, the amount of cover you need to be fully protected largely depends on two factors:

  • The rebuild cost of your house
  • The total value of your possessions

Your home’s rebuild cost is different to its current market value. A house that’s worth £200,000 might only cost £150,000 to rebuild, for example. Overestimating this amount could increase your home insurance costs, we'll estimate this cost for you when you get a quote with us. If you don't feel the rebuilt cost we estimate is accurate, you can change it before getting a quote.

When working out the value of your contents, think of everything you’d have to replace if the entire house was gone. This includes:

  • All gadgets and electronics
  • All clothes and jewellery
  • All furniture
  • All books, CDs, DVDs, games, toys and musical instruments
  • The food in your cupboards, fridge and freezer

Are mobile phones covered by my home insurance?

A contents home insurance policy is likely to cover your phone at home for loss or theft of your mobile phone in the home. An example of this is if it's stolen during a break-in.

You're covered at home for damage to your phone due to unforeseen circumstances such as a fire, flood, escape of water, for example. But accidental damage - anything from dropping it to putting it in the washing machine, is not covered by a standard home insurance policy.

Accidental damage might be included in your policy, but if it isn't, you could consider adding it to your policy as additional cover.

Your home insurance typically only covers loss, theft or damage at home. If you want cover for your phone while you're out and about, you could consider personal possessions insurance. You can add this feature to your home insurance policy if it isn't already included, but it's likely to come at an additional cost.

Can I transfer my home insurance policy to a new house?

Yes, but transferring your existing home insurance to a new property is likely to change the cost of your policy. On top of that, you'll usually have to pay an admin fee.

The cost of a policy is based around a number factors including the age of the property, the local crime rate, flood risk and more. So transferring your policy is almost like getting an entirely new quote. For this reason it's probably worth shopping around first. If you find a policy you prefer over your existing cover, you can cancel - but in doing so you'll likely face a cancellation fee.

Does home insurance cover me to work from home?

Yes, but you'll should declare this to insurers. You'll typically be asked whether you work from home when you're searching for quotes. Your home working situation could impact what you pay for a home insurance policy.

For example, if you simply complete tasks using a computer and answer calls - it's unlikely to have much bearing on your premiums. However, this is different to running a business from home, inviting visitors for work purposes, and keeping equipment in your house. In the second instance, your premiums can rise as a result and you may need to consider additional contents cover.

Do I need a smoke detector in my home?

It's compulsory in Scotland for your home to have a smoke detector fitted - not having one can invalidate your home insurance policy. For the rest of the UK it isn't a legal requirement, but having a working smoke alarm can reduce what you pay.

Insurers do ask whether you have at least one detector installed, and whether they work. If you state you have a working smoke alarm installed, you must make sure it's functional. If it isn't, or the batteries had not been replaced prior to a fire occurring, you insurer may reject any claim you make.

Do I need to have a certain type of alarm on my house?

You don't necessarily need to have a specific type of alarm system to protect your property. A good alarm system can protect your property and give you that extra peace of mind.

But having such a system certified, installed and maintained by a regulatory body such as NUD, NACOSS or SSAIB can reduce your home insurance premiums. When you get a home insurance quote with us, we'll ask you whether your alarm system is regulated by one of the aforementioned bodies.

You'll need to make sure your home security system is maintained and in good working order. If it isn't, and there's a break in, you may not be able to claim on your home insurance policy.

How does claiming affect my home insurance policy?

In some instances it might not be worth claiming as it's more than likely to increase your home insurance premiums. Can what you're claiming for be remedied by spending a reasonable amount of money? If so, it could work out in your favour by not claiming.

Ultimately, your no-claims discount could be affected when you make a claim and your home insurance excess is deducted from any pay out you get.

It all depends on what exactly you're claiming for. Something modest such as minor breakages could be worth paying for yourself.

You normally have to pay a home insurance excess when you make a claim. Small items are often below this limit and you won't be paid anything by the insurer. Larger claims, like water or storm damage could be more expensive if you want to fix it yourself. So you need to consider the implications of claiming and whether it's worth doing so.

How do I claim on my home insurance policy?

If you need to claim on your home insurance policy - you should contact your insurer directly. However, if you've been burgled you should contact the police first.

Check your home insurance documents or the company’s website to find the claims phone number. You should make a list of what you feel are the most important facts.

Contact your insurer to tell them you want to make a home insurance claim. Remember to have documents and details at hand including your policy number, address, and full name. Give as much information as possible about what's happened.

It's worth take photos for evidence, and keep all receipts. Don't throw away damaged items - your home insurer may send a loss adjuster to asses the contents. And make sure you keep track of all communications between you and your insurer, the police or witnesses.

What is my home insurance excess?

There are two types of excess generally mentioned when you buy a home insurance policy - compulsory and voluntary.

These are pre-agreed amounts you'll have to contribute in the event of a claim. Compulsory excess is a fixed amount your provider will state. But you can adjust you voluntary excess. If you can afford it, increasing your voluntary excess can reduce what you pay for house insurance.

What door locks do I have?

Having approved secure and robust door locks can in some cases reduce your home insurance premiums. If you're thinking of replacing your locks, it's worth understanding the pros and cons of each type.

If you're not sure what type of door lock you have, we can help you find out with our guide on types of door locks.

Is my bicycle covered?

This depends on a few different factors. Some contents insurance policies cover bicycles when they're stored at home, but not if they're kept outside in a shed, for example.

You must check your policy details as some insurers exclude cover for bikes of any description. Even if your bicycle is covered, it may only be up to the individual cover amount. So if your bicycle is worth £1,000's, you may want to consider a specialist policy.

If I go on holiday, is my home insurance still valid?

Yes, but you need to check how long you're protected for. A standard home insurance policy typically doesn't cover properties if they're left unoccupied for more than 30 consecutive days, for some this is 60 days. This can differ between insurers, but you can find out by checking your policy details.

If you're planning an extended break, you should contact your insurer - you may be able to arrange further cover. If not, consider asking a friend or family member whether they can stay in your property while you're away.

It's also important you take time to ensure your property is protected before you leave. For example, if you leave windows unlocked and your home is burgled, some insurers may refuse to pay out on a claim.

What happens if I miss my home insurance payments?

If you anticipate missing a home insurance payment, it's imperative you contact your insurance provider. If you don't, and you simply miss payments, your policy may be cancelled by the insurer.

A missed payment could impact and lower your credit score, it's also likely your home insurance premiums will rise as a result.

You may be able to reach an agreement with your insurer to keep your policy and rearrange payments.

How does my credit score affect my home insurance?

It's not the only factor that's taken into account, but your credit score can affect your home insurance premiums.

Insurers typically run soft credit searches when you obtain home insurance quotes. However, there are instances where a hard credit search is carried out when you buy a policy, especially when you opt for monthly instalments.

Having a poor credit score can lead to higher premiums, you may also be denied the opportunity to pay in monthly instalments. This is because you're seen as a risk to insurers, compared to someone with a good credit score. If you're having trouble finding a quote, you may need to contact a specialist provider.

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Page last reviewed: 19 November 2024

Reviewed by: Matthew Harwood