Home insurance
Don't stress, protect your home for less
- Meerkat your home insurance to save up to £179[1]
- Protect your home and belongings with the right cover
- Plus, enjoy fantastic rewards, on us*
[1] Based on online independent research by Consumer Intelligence during May 2023. 51% of customers could achieve this saving on their Buildings and Contents insurance through Compare the Market.
We compare prices from 41 trusted providers[2], including:
See a full list of our home insurance providers
[2] Correct as of June 2023.
What is home insurance?
Home insurance (or house insurance) is designed to financially protect your home and belongings. Depending on your policy, your home and possessions could be covered against damage or loss due to events like fire, flood, storms and theft.
Buildings insurance and contents insurance are the two types of home insurance, and you can choose to buy them separately or combine them into one policy.
Do I need home insurance?
Neither buildings insurance nor contents insurance are a legal requirement. But by having them, you could have financial protection for your property and belongings in case something unexpected happens.
Those who might need home insurance include:
Homeowners
If you own your home, you’re responsible for insuring the building and your belongings inside it. If you have a mortgage, your mortgage provider might insist that you have buildings insurance in place for the length of your mortgage.
You can buy buildings insurance from any provider, not just your mortgage provider. If you’re lucky enough to own a second home, you’ll probably want to insure that too.
Renters
If you rent your home, your landlord is responsible for insuring the building. However, you may want to consider protecting your personal belongings with rental contents insurance.
Landlords
Landlords are responsible for insuring the building they own and rent out. If you let a furnished property, you can also protect your belongings against damage or theft through a landlord policy.
Students
If you’re a student living in halls of residence or shared accommodation, you might want to insure personal items like laptops and gadgets.
Your parents’ home insurance policy may already cover your personal items, but don’t assume this is the case. Ask your parents to check whether you’re covered by their policy, as well as any restrictions or limits listed in the policy wording.
Holiday homeowners
If you have a holiday home, you might need to take out specialist cover. You can compare holiday home insurance with us, but you’ll need to specify how many days a year the property will be empty.
It can be more expensive than regular home insurance but could give you the protection you need.
What type of home insurance do I need?
There are two types of cover available – buildings insurance and contents insurance. You can buy these separately or combine them into one home insurance policy from the same provider.
Buildings insurance
This could cover the cost of repairing damage to the structure of the property, including the roof and walls. It can also cover any permanent fixtures and fittings, such as windows or kitchen units.
Homeowners and landlords will need this type of insurance.
Contents insurance
This could cover the possessions inside your home against damage or theft. It typically protects furniture, home appliances, clothes and carpets. It can also cover high-value items in the home, such as jewellery and bicycles.
Anyone with belongings they want to protect should consider this type of insurance.
Combined home insurance
Combining buildings and contents insurance under one policy from the same provider can make it more convenient if you need to make a claim.
Combined insurance can often work out cheaper than taking out separate policies. But you should always compare house insurance quotes to make sure it’s the right option for you.
What does home insurance cover?
Your exact level of cover will depend on the provider and type of policy you choose. But most home insurance policies will generally offer similar types of protection and come with common exclusions.
What’s typically covered?
- Fire damage
- Flooding and storm damage
- Burst pipes
- Falling trees/branches, aerials or satellite equipment
- Subsidence
- Vandalism and theft.
What’s typically not covered?
- General wear and tear
- Routine maintenance
- Damage caused by negligence
- Storm damage to fences
- Pest infestations
How much does home insurance cost?
Buildings and contents insurance could cost less than £174 per year. That's just £14.46 per month[3]
Buildings insurance could cost less than £142 per year[4]
Contents insurance could cost less than £67 per year[5]
The cost of home insurance is determined by a number of factors. With buildings insurance, the price is calculated according to how much your house would cost to rebuild. It also considers other factors, such as your postcode.
With contents insurance, the value of your possessions and where you live are the main considerations. In both cases, whether you’ve made claims in the past will also be taken into account.
Start a quote[3] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £173.53 for their buildings and contents home insurance & 51% of our customers were quoted less than £14.46 per month in June 2023 for their home insurance based on the monthly cost when paying for the policy in one annual payment, excluding any interest charged on instalment payments.
[4] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £141.60 for their buildings home insurance in June 2023.
[5] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £66.99 for their contents home insurance in June 2023.
Automate your home insurance renewal quotes
Set up once and let us automatically search our panel for cheap home insurance quotes, ahead of renewal.
Get startedHow can I get cheaper home insurance?
There’s a few simple steps you can take to try to reduce your home insurance costs.
1. Shop around
Every time your contents and/or buildings insurance policy comes up for renewal, run a new house insurance comparison on sites like Compare the Market. After all, even the best house insurance providers can raise their prices over time.
You may find another provider that can offer you a cheaper policy, but with the same level of cover.
2. Consider a combined policy
If you’re looking for value for money, the best home insurance for you could be a combined contents and buildings policy. If you get a combined policy, the provider might give you a discount.
3. Boost security
Consider adding high-quality locks to your doors and windows, and installing a burglar alarm and smoke alarm.
If you have approved security and safety systems in place, your insurance provider might consider lowering your premium.
4. Avoid instalments
If you can afford it, paying your premium upfront in one go usually cuts the cost of home insurance. If you opt to pay in monthly instalments, you might be charged interest on top.
5. Increase the excess
If you’re willing to raise the amount you contribute towards a claim – the excess – you’ll usually pay a lower premium. But don’t opt to pay more excess than you can afford, should you need to claim.
6. Build up a no-claims discount
Arguably the best house insurance saving comes from a no-claims discount. If you don’t make a claim on your home insurance, you could be rewarded with a discount on your next premium.
Generally, the longer you go without claiming, the more you can save on your house insurance cost. And you’re likely to be able to carry over the discount if you switch to another insurance provider, so make sure you include this when you get a quote.
Why use Compare the Market?
We compare 77[6] leading provider products from some of the best home insurance companies
Get a price in minutes
You could save up to £179[7] by switching
[6] Correct as of June 2023.
[7] Based on online independent research by Consumer Intelligence during May 2023. 51% of customers could achieve this saving on their Buildings and Contents insurance through Compare the Market.
Don’t just take our word for it, join thousands of other happy savers who Compare the Market
As of July 2023, Compare the Market had an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 from 31,285 people who left a review on Trustpilot. The score 4.8 corresponds to the Star Label ‘Excellent’. Find out more
What factors affect the cost of home insurance?
Generally, the greater the risk of damage or loss involving your home, the higher your premiums are likely to be. Many things can affect those risks and how much you’ll pay, including:
- Property size – the rebuild costs of a larger property are likely to be higher than for a smaller home.
- Property location – crime rates, area affluence and flood risk can all affect the cost of your insurance.
- Property age – older homes often have features or use construction materials that are expensive to replace. They may also have outdated plumbing and electrical systems.
- Home security – having a burglar alarm, high-quality door and window locks, and smoke detectors make you less risky in the eyes of insurance providers. Find out how to secure your home while you’re out.
- Building materials and roof type – properties built from non-typical materials and listed buildings can be more expensive to insure. A thatched roof can also be considered more of a risk for insurance.
- Value of your possessions – the more valuable the items you want to cover, the more you’ll have to pay.
- Policy add-ons – cover for accidental damage and home emergency cover won’t usually be included as standard. You may have to pay extra to add this cover to your policy.
- Claims history – if you haven’t made any recent claims, you’ll often be rewarded with a no claims discount.
What our expert says...
“Household budgets are being squeezed from rising living costs and, with home insurance premiums on the rise, it’s vital that households look for savings wherever possible. With the difference in cost between the average and cheapest home insurance premium increasing, this means homeowners could make greater savings when switching ahead of renewal.
Shopping around online remains one of the best ways to cut the cost of insurance and households could save significantly if they switch to the cheapest motor and home insurance providers.”
- Alex Hasty, Insurance and finance expert at Compare the Market
What do I need to get a home insurance quote?
When you start a home insurance comparison with us, it’s a good idea to have some basic information about your property, including:
- Your current home insurance policy documents
- Details about your property
- The rebuild value of your home
- The level of cover you need
We’ll ask you questions to make sure we have all the information we need, including your personal details, to provide you with a list of suitable quotes.
Start a quoteWhat home insurance add-ons are available?
By paying a bit more, you can add optional extras to your policy to give you even more protection. You’ll want to keep your policy affordable though, so think carefully about what you need. Add-ons include:
Home emergency cover
Provides immediate help in an emergency situation if there’s a risk of further damage to the property or a risk to family members’ health and safety. For example, a broken boiler in the winter or a leaking pipe.
Accidental damage cover
This could cover mishaps caused by you or your family that result in unforeseen damage – for example, spilling red wine on the carpet or putting your foot through the ceiling from the attic.
If you have a cat or dog, you might also want to think about getting accidental damage pet insurance.
Personal possessions
This offers cover for items you carry outside the home, such as mobile phones, laptops and other gadgets, if they get lost or are stolen.
Legal expenses
This will typically cover your legal costs and expenses if you get into a legal dispute with a tradesperson or neighbours. It’s sometimes included as standard on home insurance policies.
Alternative accommodation
This is usually included as standard but, in some cases, you may have to add it to your policy.
It could cover you if your property becomes uninhabitable due to flooding, fire, subsidence or storm damage. Your insurance provider will pay for temporary accommodation so you have a roof over your head in an emergency.
What other types of home insurance are available?
A standard home insurance policy may not be right for everyone. Depending on your circumstances, you might need to consider these types of specialist home insurance:
Listed buildings insurance
This is for people who live in a building of special historical or architectural importance. Listed buildings can be expensive to repair because they’re usually made with less common materials and may need the expertise of specialist tradespeople.
Learn more about listed buildings insurance
Unoccupied property insurance
You might need this if you’ve inherited a house, you’re taking an extended business trip or you’re moving out while renovating. Most providers won’t insure properties that are left unoccupied for more than 30-60 days at a time.
Learn more about unoccupied property insurance
Rental home insurance
If you’re renting a property, you’ll need tenant’s insurance to cover your contents. It’s the landlord’s responsibility to have buildings insurance in place.
Learn more about rental home insurance
Landlord home insurance
If you’re a landlord who rents out a property, you’ll need landlord home insurance to cover the building and your own contents. You should also consider rental protection, also known as rent guarantee insurance, to protect you from periods of unoccupancy or tenants who can’t pay their rent.
Learn more about landlord home insurance
Holiday home insurance
If you own a second property as a holiday home, you’ll need a specialist home insurance policy to protect it both when you’re there and when you’re not.
Learn more about holiday home insurance
Non-standard home insurance
This can cover any home that doesn’t conform to regular standards: for example, if you’ve built your home from scratch or you’ve bought a house in the countryside with a thatched roof.
You might also need non-standard insurance if you or someone in your household has a criminal conviction.
Learn more about non-standard home insurance
Student home insurance
If you’re off to uni and living away from home, you should think about getting cover for your student house or halls of residence. Student home insurance can cover your belongings while you’re away, including any expensive gadgets.
Learn more about student home insurance
Temporary home insurance
If you’ve moved out because your house is being renovated, or you’re taking an extended holiday or business trip, then consider taking out a temporary home insurance policy. This is because your standard home insurance may not cover these situations.
Compare home insurance
Compare home insurance in minutes to see if you can save.
Frequently asked questions
How can I claim on my home insurance policy?
Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible, with details of what happened and what damage has been done. If a crime has been committed, your first step should be to contact the police. You’ll need a crime report number for your insurance claim.
Most insurance providers have a 24/7 helpline. They’ll take you through the claims process and let you know what evidence and documents you need to support your claim.
Can I change my home insurance excess?
Yes, you can change the amount of voluntary home insurance excess you pay. By increasing the amount, your premiums are likely to be cheaper. But don’t set your voluntary excess too high – you’ll need to pay it alongside the compulsory excess if you make a claim.
Your insurance provider sets the compulsory excess and you can’t change it.
Do I get a credit check on a home insurance quote?
If you take out a home insurance policy, insurance providers will carry out a soft credit check before they offer you a quote. This won’t affect your credit score.
Does my credit score affect home insurance?
Having a poor credit score may affect the cost of home insurance. But you should still be able to find an insurance provider with a policy and price that suits you.
Are valuables only protected inside the home?
For your valuables to be protected outside your home, you’ll need personal possessions cover.
Check your policy to see if this is included and add it as an extra if necessary.
Any high-value items (individual possessions worth more than £1,500, for example) may need to be listed separately on your policy.
When would I need home insurance add-ons?
If you think your standard policy doesn’t give you enough cover in specific areas, you might want to add it on. For example, adding accidental damage will typically cover accidents like red wine spilled on a sofa.
Adding cover for personal possessions outside the home could cover items like your wallet or purse when you’re out and about.
Remember, adding extras will add to the cost of your insurance policy.
What kind of door locks do I have?
Home insurance providers need to know which types of door lock you have, because some are considered more secure than others.
- Five-lever mortice locks are often found on wooden front doors and need a key to lock and open them.
- Multi-point locking systems are commonly found on uPVC doors. If you need to lift up the handle to lock the door, you probably have one of these.
- Night latches are mounted on the surface of a door, so aren’t as secure as other types of lock. They automatically lock the door when it closes.
Can I get home insurance during building works?
Yes, but you’ll need to let your home insurance provider know about any building work being carried out.
It’s likely you’ll have to pay more for your insurance during the construction work and there may be restrictions placed on your cover. You might also pay more for your insurance after the work is complete if your home improvements add to the value of your home.
If you’re carrying out large-scale renovations to your home, you might need specialist insurance to cover you during the work.
Can I transfer my home insurance policy to a new property?
If you’re moving, don’t expect your home insurance policy to automatically cover your new address.
Your current provider may let you transfer the policy over. But they’ll need to update your policy as a change in postcode and property type could affect the cost of your premium.
Moving home might be a good opportunity to see if you can find cheaper cover elsewhere.
Are leaks covered by home insurance?
Most buildings insurance policies will cover you for burst pipes and water leaks as standard. This is usually classed as an ‘escape of water’, whether it’s caused by burst pipes, blocked drains or a leaky washing machine.
If you make a claim for an escape of water, you might find you have to pay a higher compulsory excess in future. That’s the fixed amount you have to contribute towards the claim. Check your policy documents for details.
Can I get home insurance if I live in a flood-risk area?
It can be difficult to get buildings insurance if your home is in an area prone to flooding, but the government’s Flood Re scheme may be able to help.
It was set up to ensure people in high flood-risk areas can still get cover for their homes at affordable prices. And you could still get a quote with us if you live in a flood-risk area.
How do I estimate the rebuild cost of my home?
We have a calculator to help you work out the rebuild cost when you get a quote with us. Your home insurance needs to cover the cost of rebuilding your home, not its market value.
You can also find the rebuild cost of your property in your home survey or by using the rebuild calculator on the Building Cost Information Service website.
Can I get home insurance if my home has subsidence?
If your home has a history of subsidence, you may find it more difficult or expensive to insure. Your home insurance policy should cover the cost of repairing damage to your house caused by subsidence, but make sure to check this.
If you make a claim for subsidence, it’s likely you’ll have to pay a higher compulsory excess in future.
Are farmhouses covered under home insurance?
Standard home insurance doesn’t cover agricultural buildings and livestock, so it’s unlikely to be suitable. This applies even if a farmhouse is on a farm that’s no longer in operation.
Compare the Market doesn’t offer a comparison for farmhouse insurance, but there are many reputable specialist providers to choose from.
If your farmhouse is part of your business, you’ll need specialist farm insurance for it. This is often packaged with business insurance.
Does home insurance cover me to work from home?
You should let your insurance provider know if you work from home as a standard home insurance policy might not cover items used for ‘business or professional use’. They’ll advise you if any extra cover is needed.
If you have clients visiting your home or you have stock at home, you’ll most likely need separate business insurance.
What happens if I can’t afford my insurance payments?
If you pay your home insurance monthly and can’t keep up with the payments, talk to your insurance provider.
If you don’t ask for help and simply do nothing, your policy will most likely be cancelled.
This will leave your home and possessions unprotected. A missed payment could also lower your credit score and it may be harder to find affordable insurance in the future.
What do our customers say?
Based on 28,737 reviews, our customers rated us 4.7 out of 5.
Easy to use. Great prices. Thanks again you lovely meerkats!Mel21 • 04/01/2021
one of the comparison sites I always use along with the othersGreen Man • 05/01/2021
So easy and quick to use. Thank you.Nicky19 • 04/01/2021
Seems easy enough to go through.Hoofa • 17/10/2021
