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Sergei in foreground looking concerned while holding a tray and standing on a table while Carl the Wombat who has just caused a leak sits on couch and eats popcorn
Carl the Wombat who has just caused a leak sits on couch and eats popcorn Sergei in foreground looking concerned while holding a tray

Home insurance

Compare home insurance quotes and you could save £212^

  • Compare home insurance quotes from 37[2] trusted providers and get cover for less than £223[3]
  • Join thousands of savers who rated us 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot
  • Plus, enjoy fantastic rewards, on us*

^ Based on online independent research by Consumer Intelligence during December 2024, 51% of customers could achieve this saving on their Buildings and Contents insurance through 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:

Details about your property

Including the type of property (flat, semi-detached, terrace), roof type, year it was built and number of bedrooms.

The type of policy

Whether it’s combined building and contents, buildings only or contents only.

Your home's rebuild value

Find out how to calculate the rebuild cost. With costs having increased recently, it’s a good idea to make sure your figure is up to date.

The total value of your home contents

List high-value items worth £1,500+ individually. Find out how to estimate the value.

The level of cover you need

Including how much excess you want to pay and whether you want to add extra cover, such as accidental damage and home emergency cover. 

Your current home insurance policy documents

We’ll ask you questions to make sure we have the information needed, including your personal details, to provide you with quotes.

Start a quote

We compare prices from 37 trusted providers[2], including:

See a full list of our home insurance providers

[2] Correct as of December 2024.

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What is home insurance?

Home insurance (or house insurance) protects your home and its belongings. Depending on your policy, your home and possessions could be covered against damage or loss due to fire, flooding, storms and theft.

Buildings insurance and contents insurance are the two types of home insurance. You can choose to buy them separately or combine them.

Do I need home insurance?

Home insurance isn’t mandatory by law. But it could offer invaluable financial protection if something terrible happens.

It could help cover the cost of:

  • Repairing or rebuilding your home if it’s damaged by an insured event
  • Replacing stolen belongings
  • Repairing or replacing damaged belongings.

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 for your mortgage term. However, you don't have to get cover from your mortgage lender.

Renters

If you rent, your landlord is responsible for insuring the building, but there’s no legal requirement to do so, but you may want to check they have it.

However, you may want to consider protecting your belongings with rental contents insurance.

Find out more about 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.

Find out more about landlord insurance

Students

If you’re a student living in halls of residence or shared accommodation, you might want to insure personal items.

Your parents’ home insurance policy may already cover your items, but check whether you’re covered, as well as any restrictions or limits.

Find out more about student contents insurance.

Holiday homeowners

If you have a holiday home, you might need to buy 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.

Holiday home insurance can be more expensive than regular home insurance but could give you the protection you need.

Find out more about holiday home insurance

What type of home insurance do I need?

There are two types available – buildings insurance and contents insurance. You can buy these separately or combine them into one home insurance policy.

Most home insurance policies come with common exclusions.

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 permanent fixtures and fittings, such as windows and bathroom suites.

Homeowners and landlords will need this type of insurance.

Find out more about buildings insurance

Contents insurance

This could cover the possessions inside your home against damage or theft.

Contents insurance typically covers furniture, home appliances, clothes and carpets. It can also cover high-value items in the home, such as jewellery, expensive tech or antiques.

Anyone with belongings they want to protect should consider this type of insurance.

Find out more about contents insurance

House and contents insurance

Combining buildings and contents insurance under one policy from the same provider could make it more convenient if you need to claim.

A combined buildings and contents insurance policy can often work out cheaper than taking out separate policies, but not always. It’s  wise to compare quotes to make sure it’s the right option.

What does home insurance cover?

Home insurance covers sudden, unexpected and unforeseen events – such as fire, flooding or storms. It won’t cover you for things that are predictable, such as wear and tear.

What’s typically covered?

What’s typically not covered?

If you have a bicycle, check whether it’s covered or if you can/want to buy an add-on for it.

Always check the summary cover, limits and exclusions to help you make an informed decision before purchasing.

How much does home insurance cost?

The cost of home insurance depends on a number of factors, including whether you’ve made past claims.

With buildings insurance, the price is calculated according to how much your home would cost to rebuild. It also takes account of other factors, such as your postcode.

With contents insurance, the value of your possessions and location are the main considerations.

What does home insurance cost in the UK?

Buildings and contents insurance could cost less than £223 per year.[3]

Buildings insurance could cost less than £204 per year.[4]

Contents insurance could cost less than £70 per year.[5]

According to UK burglary statistics from 2023, the average cost of a residential burglary to households in England and Wales is estimated at around £2,800.

It could cost you less than £223 per year[3] to protect your home against potentially devastating costs of insured events such as this.

Start a quote

[3]51% of our customers were quoted less than £222.88 for their buildings and contents home insurance in December 2024.

[4]51% of our customers were quoted less than £203.09 for their buildings home insurance in December 2024.

[5]51% of our customers were quoted less than £69.04 for their contents home insurance in December 2024.

What is the cheapest homeowners’ insurance?

The cheapest home insurance for you will depend on your circumstances. But a policy might be cheap because it doesn’t offer as much cover as other policies.

And don’t underestimate the value of your buildings or contents to save money. This could lead to you being underinsured

That means the pay-out you receive might not be enough to replace all your possessions or rebuild your property.

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How can I get cheaper home insurance?

There are a few simple steps to help reduce your home insurance costs.

1. Shop around

Don’t just auto-renew. Every time your contents and/or buildings insurance policy comes up for renewal, run a fresh comparison on sites such as Compare the Market.

After all, even the best house insurance providers can raise prices over time. You could find another provider can offer you a cheaper policy, but with the same 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.

Compare home insurance with us and you can get quotes for individual and combined policies to compare.

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, your insurance provider might consider lowering your premium.

4. Avoid instalments

If you can afford it, pay your premium upfront. If you opt to pay monthly, you’ll typically be charged interest.

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 a bigger excess than you can afford for a claim.

6. Build up a no-claims discount

If you don’t make a claim, you could be rewarded with a discount on your next premium.

Generally, the longer you go without claiming, the more you can save. And you’re likely to be able to carry over the discount if you switch to another insurance provider.

Why use Compare the Market?

We compare 96 leading provider products[6] from some of the best home insurance companies

Get a price in minutes

You could save £223[7] on your buildings and contents insurance by comparing through us

Start a quote


[6] Correct as of December 2024.

[7] Based on online independent research by Consumer Intelligence during December 2024, 51% of customers could achieve this saving on their Buildings and Contents insurance through Compare the Market.

What factors affect the cost of home insurance?

Generally, the greater the risk of damage or loss involving your home, the higher your premiums could be. Many factors 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.
  • 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.
  • Home security – having a burglar alarm, high-quality door and window locks 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 or a flat roof can also be considered more of a risk.
  • Value of your possessions – the more valuable they are, 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 to your policy.
  • Claims history – if you haven’t made any recent claims, you’ll often be rewarded with a no-claims discount.
Author image Anna McEntee

What our expert says...

Why has home insurance gone up so much?

“Home insurance premiums have risen sharply over the last two years. In July 2022, buildings and contents combined cover cost £149. In July 2024 it cost £228. That’s a 53% increase.

You might wonder if this is rising house prices. However, government data shows that UK property prices had only risen by 0.6%, an average of just £1,603. Instead, it’s likely a combination of increased labour and material costs for repairs, as well as an increase in extreme weather events which result in claims.

This is backed by the price of contents insurance remaining relatively flat over the same period. This is good news for renters, who haven’t felt the sting of inflation in their premiums.”

- Anna McEntee, Insurance expert

What home insurance add-ons are available?

By paying a bit more, you can add optional extras to give you more protection. You’ll want to keep your policy affordable, so think carefully about what you need. Add-ons include:

Home emergency cover

Provides immediate help in an emergency if there’s a risk of further damage to the property or to health and safety.  For example, a broken boiler in the winter or a leaking pipe.

Learn more about home emergency cover

Accidental damage cover

This could cover mishaps caused by you or your family that result in unforeseen damage. These could include spilling red wine or putting your foot through the ceiling from the attic.

If you have a cat or dog, you might also want to think about accidental damage pet insurance.

Learn more about accidental damage cover

Personal possessions

This offers cover for items you carry outside the home, such as mobiles and other gadgets, if they get lost or stolen.

Learn more about personal possessions cover.

Legal expenses 

This will typically cover legal costs and expenses if you get into a legal dispute with a tradesperson or neighbours. It’s sometimes included as standard.

Learn more about legal expenses cover.

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 could pay for temporary accommodation.

Learn more about alternative accommodation cover.

What other types of household 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
    If you live in a building of special historical or architectural importance.
  • Unoccupied property insurance
    You might need this if you’re taking an extended trip or you’re moving out while renovating. Most providers won’t insure properties left unoccupied for more than 30-60 days consecutively.
  • Rental home insurance
    If you’re renting, tenants’ insurance covers your contents. It’s the landlord’s responsibility to have buildings insurance.
  • Landlord home insurance
    If you’re a landlord who rents out a property, landlord home insurance covers the building and your contents. You could also consider rental protection, also known as rent guarantee insurance. This could protect you from unoccupancy or tenants who can’t pay their rent.
  • Holiday home insurance
    If you own a second property as a holiday home, you’ll need specialist home insurance to protect it when you’re there and when you’re not.
  • Non-standard home insurance

    This can cover any home that doesn’t conform to regular standards – for example, if you’ve built your own home or you, or someone in your household, has a criminal conviction.

  • Student home insurance
    If you’re off to uni and living away from home, you might want to think about student home insurance to cover your belongings.
  • Temporary home insurance

    If you’ve moved out because your house is being renovated, or you’re taking an extended holiday or business trip, consider temporary home insurance.

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Frequently asked questions

How can I claim on my home insurance policy?

To make a claim on your home insurance policy:

  1. If a crime has been committed, contact the police. You’ll need a crime report number for your claim.
  2. Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible, with details of what happened and any damage. Most have a 24/7 helpline. They’ll take you through the claim process and let you know what evidence and documents you need.

 

Can I change my home insurance excess?

Yes, 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 a quote to ensure  some key information you’ve given is accurate. This shouldn’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 a provider.

Are valuables only protected inside the home?

Standard contents insurance will only protect valuables inside the home. You may need additional personal possessions cover to protect them outside, depending on the policy. 

Any items worth more than the insurance provider’s single-item limit (typically £1,500) may need to be listed separately.

When would I need home insurance add-ons?

You might decide you need home insurance adds-ons if your standard policy doesn’t give you the specific cover you need.

Remember, adding extras will likely increase the cost of your home insurance.

What kind of door locks do I have?

To find out what kind of door lock you have, you’ll need to compare and identify them against the most common types.

Home insurance providers need to know what 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. They automatically lock the door when it closes.

Can I get home insurance during building works?

Yes, you can get home insurance during building works. But you’ll need to let your home insurance provider know about them.

It’s likely you’ll have to pay more during the work. Your provider may also place restrictions on your cover.

If you’re carrying out large-scale renovations, you might need specialist insurance during the work.

Can I transfer my home insurance policy to a new property?

You might be able to transfer your policy to a new property. But you’ll need to check with your provider first and you might be charged for amending it.

It’s likely your premium will change. Your provider will work out what you need to pay based on:

  • Your new address
  • The property type
  • The rebuild cost of your new property
  • The value of your contents.

Moving home might be a good opportunity to see if you can find cheaper cover with a different provider.

Are leaks covered by home insurance?

Most buildings insurance policies 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. 

But you might not be covered for a slow leak that you knew about but failed to repair.

Can I get home insurance if I live in a flood-risk area?

It can be more difficult to get home insurance if you live in a flood-risk area. 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 estimate the rebuild cost. 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 you can use the rebuild calculator on the Building Cost Information Service website.

Can I get home insurance if my home has subsidence?

It can be more difficult and expensive to get home insurance if your home has a history of subsidence.

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?

Farmhouses are unlikely to be covered under a standard policy, 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, 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. A standard policy might not cover items used for ‘business or professional use’.

If you have clients visiting, 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 afford them, talk to your insurance provider.

If you don’t ask for help and miss payments, 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 future.

How much does a home insurance claim affect your premium?

How much a claim will affect your premium depends on the type of claim and the number of claims you’ve made. But it’s likely that your premium will increase when you renew.

That’s why it’s always worth comparing quotes. Just make sure you answer questions about recent claims honestly.

What do our customers say about our Home insurance comparison service?

Based on 28,737 reviews, customers who bought Home insurance rated our comparison service 4.7 out of 5.

Great selection of quotes from well known companies
Margaret • 19/07/2024
Help to reduce the cost of my insurance
Mike • 17/06/2024
Very simple transaction getting insurance. Highly recommend.
Paul • 26/06/2024
Great platform and service will definitely use them again , wonderful
David • 24/06/2024
Page last reviewed on 29 JANUARY 2025
by Guy Anker