Compare Home Insurance in United Kingdom

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22 live offers compared from 21 providers, from £150 /year. Updated daily.

What is home insurance in the UK?

Home insurance protects your property and belongings against risks such as fire, flood, storm, theft and accidental damage. It comes in two parts: buildings insurance, which covers the structure, and contents insurance, which covers your possessions. Many households buy them together as a combined policy, though they can be purchased separately.

Buildings cover is usually required by mortgage lenders as a condition of the loan, while contents cover is optional but strongly advisable to protect against loss or damage to your belongings.

How the UK home insurance market works

Premiums reflect the property's location, age, construction, rebuild cost, security and claims history, plus, for contents, the value of your possessions. Buildings cover is based on the rebuild cost, not the market value, an important distinction, while contents should be insured for the full replacement value of everything you own.

Flood risk is a significant factor in parts of the UK, and the Flood Re scheme helps make cover affordable for homes in high-risk areas.

Levels of cover and add-ons

Buildings — covers the structure, permanent fixtures and rebuild costs.

Contents — covers furniture, electronics, clothing and valuables.

Accidental damage — an add-on covering spills, breakages and DIY mishaps.

Personal possessions — extends contents cover to items taken outside the home, such as phones and jewellery.

Leading UK home insurers

Direct Line and Churchill (part of the same group) sell direct rather than via comparison sites. Aviva UK, Admiral and LV= are large, well-rated insurers offering combined and standalone cover. Policy Expert has grown strongly as a home-insurance specialist, while Saga targets the over-50s and the RAC offers home cover alongside its motoring services.

How to choose the right policy

Insure buildings for the full rebuild cost and contents for the true replacement value, underinsuring risks a reduced payout. Compare excesses, check that high-value items are covered up to their individual limits, and decide whether add-ons such as accidental damage and away-from-home cover are worth it for your circumstances.

What it costs

Combined buildings and contents premiums commonly start from around £150 a year for a lower-risk property, rising with rebuild cost, location, flood risk and contents value. Paying annually avoids monthly interest, a higher voluntary excess lowers the premium, and improving home security can reduce it further.

Protections and regulation

Home insurers are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Complaints can go free to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protects at least 90% of a valid claim if an insurer fails. FCA rules also ban charging existing customers more than new customers at renewal, though comparing the market still often finds a better price.

Common questions

Do I need buildings cover if I rent? No, that is the landlord's responsibility; tenants need contents cover only.

Rebuild or market value? Insure buildings for the rebuild cost, which is often lower than the market value.

Is flood cover included? Standard policies usually include flood; the Flood Re scheme helps high-risk homes get affordable cover.

Should I combine buildings and contents? A combined policy from one insurer is often cheaper and simpler than two, though buying separately can occasionally beat it on price.

Home Insurance in United Kingdom — FAQ