Why bother with Home insurance?

It’s easy to think that bad things happen to other people and not ourselves. The facts suggest that this isn’t a risk we can afford to take. In the UK, one in three of us will get burgled at some point in our lives. With other unfortunate occurrences such as flood/storm damage, fire and more, threatening our homes and their contents, by not having insurance you are leaving yourself open to serious financial loss.

If you’d like to discuss home insurance and get a no obligation quote please get in touch with one of our friendly, experienced and professional advisers by telephoning 020 7241 3232 or by using the live chat feature on the left of the page.

• You could save yourself £££s on Home insurance simply by asking us to get a quote on your behalf.
• We'll go to an extensive panel of insurers for you.
• You can call us between 9:00am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday and 9:00am and 1:00pm on Saturdays.
• You can also talk to one of our friendly and professional advisers using the live chat to the left of this page.
• It only takes a few moments to request a quote online and we'll do the hard work for you - we take pride in saving you time and money.

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need Home insurance?

Home insurance can now offer something for everyone with insurance for homeowners, tenants and landlords.

Increasingly, mortgage lenders will insist that you have buildings insurance to obtain a mortgage.

Insurers will need a lot of information including the construction date and materials for the building, and different insurers might not insure unusual properties such as prefabricated buildings and thatched cottages.

Insurers also need to know about the local lie of the land to assess the flood-risk.

What is Buildings insurance?

Buildings insurance is of vital importance - for example, if your house burnt down do you have the money to cover your losses?

Mortgage providers insist that you have building insurance so that in the event of a disaster it can be repaired or rebuilt, as lenders don't want to be left without security for their loan.

What does Buildings insurance cover?

A policy should cover funds to rebuild your home in the event of it being totally destroyed or damaged to the point that complete rebuilding is necessary. Some policies only cover market value, so be sure to check. The policy could also cover against damage caused by events beyond your control including:

• Storm and flood damage
• Burst pipes and other incidents of water leakage
• Fire, smoke and explosions
• Subsidence
• Vandalism or third party damage

The policy could also provide you with alternative accommodation if your home is uninhabitable. Be sure to not simply opt for the cheapest building insurance quote available and think about your needs.

As well as the structure, buildings insurance also covers permanent fixtures and fittings including baths, toilets and fitted kitchens, bedroom cupboards and interior decorations. The test is whether or not the fixture can be removed and taken to a new home, for example fitted cabinets.

Policies will also usually cover outbuildings such as garages, greenhouses and garden sheds but might not cover boundary walls, fences, gates, paths, drives and swimming pools.

Who needs Buildings insurance?

For landlords, building insurance is crucial, as it is for all homeowners. For tenants, building insurance is usually covered by the landlord and only contents insurance needs to be considered.

What is Contents insurance and what does it cover?

Contents insurance gives protection to anything that is not a fixed part of your home, for example your appliances, electronic goods, furniture and clothing. Most home contents insurance policies will even cover the contents of your fridge and freezer.

Policies are advisable for homeowners and tenants while landlord contents insurance can be limited if the property is let unfurnished or part furnished. The cheapest contents insurance available is indemnity insurance, which will replace, for example, a five-year-old carpet with one of the same age. A more expensive option is the 'new for old' policy that replaces the old carpet with a brand new one.

Your home contents insurance could also include cover for some items you take away from the home such as bicycles or prams and even the contents of your handbag. Clothing items, watches and mobile phones can also be covered along with sports equipment - though this is not usually covered when it is in use. The key is to check your policy and never assume that items are covered.

Garden plants are increasingly covered in contents insurance policies - treat your garden as another room and add up the costs of replacements. High value items, such as those more than £1,000 in value, will generally have to be considered separately from your contents policy.

Similarly to building insurance, contents insurance offers protection against various perils including:

• Fires
• Storms/flooding
• Explosions
• Theft and vandalism

Policies can also include cover in the event of an injury in your home. Furthermore, some contents insurance policies would also cover you for legal liability if someone were injured in your home due to your negligence or lack of upkeep of the property.