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Find the right coverage for your home and belongings
Compare home insurance quotes with ease with an easy-to-use comparison tool.
Home insurance
Find the right coverage for your home and belongings with an easy-to-use comparison tool
Compare quotes from up to 50 trusted insurers
You could save up to £2411
Peace of mind in minutes
What is home insurance?
Home insurance isn’t a legal requirement, but it offers financial support by protecting your home and belongings from unexpected events like fire, theft, or subsidence. UK mortgage lenders usually require it, and contents insurance is advisable if you are renting.
Home insurance provides financial security and peace of mind through two main types, buildings and contents insurance, which you can also purchase combined – often the most budget-friendly choice. You can find the perfect policy for your needs in minutes with an easy-to-use price comparison tool.
What type of home insurance do I need?
Buildings insurance
This provides cover for the physical structure of your property, like the roof, floors and windows, and any permanent fixtures (e.g., fitted kitchens and bathroom suites).
Contents insurance
This cover protects your personal belongings within the home. This includes furniture, electronics, clothing, and valuables such as jewellery.
Combined buildings and contents insurance
A single policy that merges buildings and contents coverage.
Chosen by many as this can make management of home insurance easier, and is usually a more affordable option.
Do I need home insurance?
Owning a property comes with the responsibility of potential repair costs. While policies can vary, yours should meet your needs and budget. Skipping cover can really leave you out of pocket when the unexpected happens. For this reason, UK mortgage lenders usually require buildings insurance. Even if you don’t need home insurance, for example if you are renting a property, you’ll likely need contents insurance.
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How do I get a home insurance quote?
With the right information to hand, the process should be pretty straight forward! Enter some details into the online quote form and submit.
Property specifics:
We’ll need details about your home’s type, size, age, and construction.
Resident information:
Tell us about who lives there, how long they’ve been there, and when it’s unoccupied.
Security features:
Provide details on your locks and alarm systems.
Personal data:
Your address, contact details, and employment information are required.
Rebuild estimate:
What would it cost to rebuild your home if necessary?
Household contents value:
What’s the estimated value of your belongings?
See how much you could save –
Compare quotes from up to 50 insurance providers
Save on your home insurance
1
Calculate your rebuild cost
Insurers need to know the cost of rebuilding your home if it was to be completely destroyed. Use an online calculator or a surveyor. Overestimating will cost you more, underestimating will leave you underinsured.
2
Know your home’s construction and age
Older properties or those with non-standard construction (e.g. thatched roofs, timber frames) will cost more. Knowing your property’s history will help you understand the risks and find specialist insurers if needed.
3
Review your contents regularly
Don’t over insure your belongings. Create a detailed inventory and update it annually. This will ensure you’re covered for what you own, not an inflated estimate.
4
Improve home security
Install British Standard (BS) approved locks, burglar alarms and security lighting. This will show you’re a lower risk and may lead to a discount.
5
Maintain your property
Minor issues become major claims if left unchecked. Address them promptly to avoid costly repairs. A well-maintained home is a lower risk.
6
Know your location’s risks
Understand flood risks, crime rates and subsidence potential. These will impact your premium. Check local council websites and Environment Agency data.
7
Increase your voluntary excess
A higher excess will reduce your premium but make sure you can afford it if you need to claim.
8
Pay annually, not monthly
Annual payments avoid interest charges and will save you overall.
9
Bundle policies where you can
If you have other insurance (e.g. car, pet) check if your provider offers multi-policy discounts.
10
Shop around and compare quotes
Use comparison websites and also check directly with insurers. Remember that not all insurers appear on all comparison sites. Look for policies with Defaqto ratings.
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FAQ's
What’s the difference between buildings and contents cover, and what does a standard UK policy include?
Think of it like this: buildings insurance is for the bricks and mortar – the structure of your house, like the roof, walls and kitchen and bathroom suites. Contents insurance covers everything you’d take with you if you moved – your furniture, electronics, clothes and personal belongings. A standard UK policy will usually cover common risks like fire, theft and storm damage. But the details of what’s covered can vary greatly between insurers so always check the policy wording carefully. Some policies will include accidental damage as standard, others as an optional extra.
How is my home’s rebuild cost calculated, and why is an accurate ‘sum insured’ vital?
Rebuild cost is the amount it would take to rebuild your home if it were completely destroyed. It’s calculated by surveyors or online tools, taking into account materials and labour. An accurate ‘sum insured’ prevents underinsurance, where you wouldn’t get enough to rebuild.
What affects my premium and how can I reduce my home insurance costs?
Location, size, age, security and claims history. To reduce costs: improve security, increase voluntary excess, maintain a no-claims discount.
See our top tips on how to save on your home insurance.
What are common exclusions and how can I get cover for specific risks like flooding or subsidence?
Exclusions include wear and tear, damage from gradual deterioration. For flood or subsidence cover check the policy details as these are often optional extras or have specific conditions due to the high risk in the UK.
How do I value my household contents for insurance?
Create a detailed inventory, with photos and receipts. Estimate the replacement cost of each item as new. Use online valuation tools for high value items.
What’s the claims process, and what should I do if I need to make a claim?
We know making a claim follows a stressful or upsetting event, and all insurers will want to make the process as smooth as possible for you. You are advised to contact your insurer as soon as you can. Give them as much detail as possible about what happened, including photos and any supporting documentation you have. It’s also a good idea to keep a record of all conversations and correspondence. Your insurer will then guide you through the next steps and we’ll do our best to support you during this time.
How does a no-claims discount work?
For each year you don’t make a claim you typically get a discount on your premium. The longer you go without claiming the bigger the discount up to a maximum limit.
If I let a room or my property, how does this affect my insurance?
Letting will likely invalidate standard policies. You’ll need specialist landlord insurance which covers risks associated with tenants, such as damage or liability.
What are the benefits of a combined buildings and contents policy?
Combined policies often offer better value and simplify policy management. You’ll usually have one point of contact for claims and may get a discount.
How often should I review my home insurance to ensure it’s still suitable?
Review your policy annually or when you make significant changes to your home or belongings. This ensures your cover is up to date and reflects your current needs.
The protection offered through the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) applies to our regulated financial advice services only. Insurance comparison services are not regulated and not covered by FSCS protection.
151% of consumers could save £241.88 on their Home Building & Contents Insurance. The saving was calculated by comparing the cheapest price found with the average of the next fourteen cheapest prices quoted by insurance providers on Seopa Ltd’s insurance comparison website. This is based on representative cost savings from June 2025. The savings you could achieve are dependent on your individual circumstances.
2This information is intended for editorial purposes only and not intended as a recommendation or financial advice.
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