A quick overview of home insurance
Home insurance is a type of property protection that covers the cost of repairing or replacing your home and belongings if they are damaged, destroyed, or stolen due to events like fire, flood, or burglary.
You can read more about how it works in our complete guide to home insurance.
Key features of home insurance
Here is a rundown of the key components of home insurance and the rules around it:
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Can be purchased as Buildings cover (structure), Contents cover (possessions), or a Combined policy
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Policyholders pay a monthly or annual premium while the plan is active
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You must pay an "excess" (a fixed amount) towards any claim you make
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Most policies offer "New for Old" cover on contents, meaning they replace old items with brand new equivalents
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Most policies have exclusions such as damage caused by wear and tear or leaving the home unoccupied for more than 30 days
Eligibility criteria and other requirements
To qualify for home insurance in the UK you generally need to be a resident here and the property must be your main residence.
You will usually need to be over the age of 18. If you are a tenant, you only need contents insurance, whereas homeowners usually require buildings insurance as a condition of their mortgage.
This table highlights the factors that impact a policy’s cost and likelihood of acceptance.
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Factor |
Impact & Key Insurer Checks |
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Location |
Insurers check flood risk and local crime rates. High-risk areas may lead to higher premiums or specific flood exclusions. |
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Property Type |
Non-standard construction (e.g., thatched roofs, listed buildings) often requires specialist cover and costs more. |
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Security |
High-quality locks and burglar alarms can reduce premiums, while poor security may lead to theft exclusions. |
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Claims History |
A history of recent claims can increase costs. Building up a "No Claims Discount" significantly reduces premiums. |
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Occupancy |
Leaving the home empty for long periods (usually 30+ days) can invalidate cover for theft or water damage. |
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Business Use |
Working from home (beyond basic clerical work) may require extra cover or a business-specific policy. |
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A guide to home insurance with flood coverFAQs
No, it is not a legal requirement in the UK. However, if you have a mortgage, your lender will almost certainly require you to have buildings insurance as a condition of the loan to protect their financial interest. Contents insurance remains entirely optional but is highly recommended.
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THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE SECURING OTHER DEBTS AGAINST YOUR HOME. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT.
IF YOU ARE THINKING OF CONSOLIDATING EXISTING BORROWING YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT YOU MAY BE EXTENDING THE TERMS OF THE DEBT AND INCREASING THE TOTAL AMOUNT YOU REPAY.
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