Home Insurance by Region UK (2026)

Home insurance has two parts: buildings insurance (covers the structure, walls, roof, fixtures) and contents insurance (covers your belongings). You can buy them separately or as a combined policy.

It's not legally required, but your mortgage lender will almost certainly require buildings insurance as a condition of the loan. Contents insurance is optional but highly recommended.

Increase your voluntary excess, install approved locks and burglar alarms, avoid claiming for small amounts, pay annually instead of monthly, and compare quotes from multiple insurers at renewal.

Common exclusions include gradual wear and tear, damage from poor maintenance, deliberate damage, business equipment (unless added), and high-value items over the single-item limit unless specified.

If you own your home, you need buildings insurance to cover the structure. Contents insurance covers your belongings inside. If you rent, you only need contents insurance — your landlord covers the building.

Subsidence is downward movement of the ground beneath your home, often caused by clay soil shrinkage or nearby trees. Most home insurance policies cover subsidence, but the excess is typically £1,000 or more. Properties with a history of subsidence can be harder and more expensive to insure.

To calculate the rebuild cost, consider the cost of materials and labour to rebuild your home from scratch. You can use a rebuild cost calculator provided by services like MoneyHelper. Ensure this figure is accurate to avoid being underinsured.

If your home is at risk of flooding, check the Environment Agency’s flood maps for your area. It's crucial to inform your insurer about potential flood risks, as they may require specific coverage or additional premiums for flood-related claims.

Accidental damage cover protects against unintentional incidents, such as spilling liquid on your sofa or breaking a window. This add-on can be included in either buildings or contents insurance and offers peace of mind for everyday accidents.

'New-for-old' is a policy feature that ensures you receive a replacement item at current market value if your belongings are lost or damaged. This means you won't receive a depreciated value, but rather what it would cost to buy a new equivalent item.