Written by Mark Langshaw Reviewed by Lee Trett
22 January 2026
Hub page introduction, criteria and FAQs added
12 December 2024
First Published
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
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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. |
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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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.
Buildings insurance covers the physical structure of the property, such as the roof, walls, floors, and permanent fixtures like fitted kitchens and bathrooms. Contents insurance covers movable items that you would take with you if you moved house, such as furniture, electronics, clothes, and carpets.
Standard policies often cover "insurable perils" like fire and theft but may not automatically cover accidental mishaps (like spilling wine on a carpet or drilling through a pipe). You usually need to add Accidental Damage cover as an optional extra for an additional cost.
Get bespoke home insurance quotes
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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