Home Insurance · UK Research
Home insurance, from rebuild cost to renewal.
Independent research on UK home insurance: the difference between buildings and contents cover, how the rebuild cost and sum insured are worked out, and what pushes premiums up — so you can compare like for like.
Quick answer
The essentials in 30 seconds
- Buildings: covers the structure of your home; based on the rebuild cost, not the market value.
- Contents: covers your possessions; insure them for what it would cost to replace them.
- Who needs what: homeowners usually need both; renters typically only need contents.
- Compare on cover, not just price: excess, single-item limits and accidental-damage cover vary widely.
Pricing
What drives a home insurance premium
| Factor | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| Location / postcode | Flood, subsidence and crime risk in your area are major drivers |
| Property age & construction | Older or non-standard construction can cost more to insure |
| Rebuild cost & contents value | Higher sums insured raise the premium |
| Claims history & security | Past claims raise prices; good locks and alarms can lower them |
| Payment method | Paying monthly usually costs more than paying annually |
Indicative drivers for orientation only — not a quote.
Our research
What our home insurance section covers
- Average home insurance cost in the UK
- Working out your buildings sum insured (rebuild cost)
- How much contents cover you need
- Subsidence, flood and high-risk postcodes
- Unoccupied, second-home and non-standard cover
- Cutting the premium without cutting protection
Common questions
Home insurance FAQs
If you own your home, you typically need buildings cover (often required by your mortgage lender) and contents cover for your belongings. If you rent, the landlord insures the building, so you usually only need contents. Buying both together from one insurer is often cheaper.
Buildings cover is based on the rebuild cost — what it would cost to rebuild your home from scratch — which is usually lower than the market value. Under-insuring can lead to reduced payouts, so use a rebuild calculator or surveyor figure.
Premiums move with claims inflation, weather-related losses in your area, and changes to your rebuild or contents sums insured. Comparing at renewal rather than auto-renewing is the simplest way to keep the price in check.
Information only — not financial advice. My Insurance Expert is not an FCA-authorised intermediary and does not arrange or sell policies. Last updated: 2026-06-13