Home Insurance

Buildings and contents insurance is placed under the bracket of home insurance. It is a combined insurance that will cover or replace any damage that might occur to the house or its contents, including loss. It is essential for all mortgaged houses, and the majority of other homeowners who do not have a mortgage will also have this type of insurance. It is possible to get the two insurances separately, although you will find that most providers offer them as a combined cover.

Some mortgage suppliers will make this type of insurance compulsory when you take out a mortgage with them, to cover their loan. Otherwise, this insurance is highly recommended to protect you against unforeseen circumstances. Virtually every home in the country will have this type of insurance just for that reason, and it could end up proving to be very costly if you do not take the cover out.

What is Buildings Insurance?

Buildings insurance covers the structure of the building such as the walls, roof, floors, ceilings, windows and doors from damage. A buildings insurance policy should cover funds to rebuild your house in an event of it being completely damaged beyond repair.

The damage can come in many forms and is listed below:

  • Weather damage such as lightning, storms etc

  • Earthquakes

  • Vandalism

  • Bursting of pipes

  • Falling trees

  • Flooding

  • Subsidence

Make sure to check that you are not living in a high-risk area of damage such as flooding. You may have to pay extra on your policy if you are but you will get peace of mind knowing that you are adequately covered.

Many building insurance providers also cover you for garages, conservatories, greenhouses, fences, etc. Make sure you check the policy to see what you are covered for. Policies may also cover permanent fixtures and fittings including cupboards, toilets, baths, and kitchen units and again it is important to check what your policy covers.

Always shop around for the best building insurance and not the cheapest as you may leave some important items uncovered under the policy. Unfortunate accidents may happen to your property from time to time so it is imperative that adequate cover is taken out to protect your home.

What is Contents Insurance?

Contents insurance covers your household possessions such as jewellery, electronic goods, furniture, carpets and clothing against theft, loss and damage. Contents insurance is not necessary but it is essential if you want to protect your valuables which you have paid a lot of money for over the years.

Generally, there are two types of contents insurance available; indemnity policy and 'new for old' policy. The indemnity insurance is the cheapest available and covers items by a wear and tear policy. For example, if a carpet was spoilt by paint then the claim would reflect how old the carpet was and pay out accordingly. On the other hand, 'new for old' policy is more expensive but would pay the full amount for a brand-new carpet.

Many content insurance providers offer an accidental damage option as standard but usually you will have to pay extra if you want this cover. Cover for extra items can be bought if needed such as expensive jewellery, antiques and also your fridge freezer in case of power failure which means you can claim for the contents of your fridge.

Home contents insurance can also include the following things that don't necessarily stay at home:

  • Prams

  • Mobile phones

  • Handbag

  • Watches

  • Clothing

  • Bicycle

Always check with your home insurance contents provider for what you are covered for under your policy or read the small print that is attached with your paperwork.

Bear in mind that it is possible to combine buildings and contents insurance together and obtaining a quote. This will often get you a good deal and save you hundreds of pounds.

Why is Home Insurance Needed?

As our homes are the most important asset that we are ever going to own, it is imperative that adequate home insurance is taken out for your property. You will never know when you will need to claim under your home insurance so it is best to make sure you are covered properly.

Statistics show that 1 in 4 people in the UK will get burgled during their lives but people still choose to ignore this and don't get any protection whatsoever. Other unforeseen circumstances such as floods and fire may also wreak havoc among your possessions and by not getting covered properly you are taking a big risk in losing out financially.

There are two types of home insurance; Buildings insurance and contents insurance. Buildings insurance is a mandatory condition when taking out a mortgage and lenders will insist that this insurance is in place. This will protect the house being damaged from events which cannot be repaired.

Contents insurance is not usually a mandatory requirement when taking out a mortgage, but it is in our own interest to secure your personal belongings as you have worked hard for them and if anything was to happen then you will be kicking yourself.

Remember, there are many home insurance providers out there and looking for the best cover for your house is important because after all it's your possessions and looking after them should be paramount.

Home Insurance for Landlords

Landlord insurance is the same as normal types of home insurance that everyday people apply for. All landlords need buildings insurance for the property that they may own but contents insurance is not essential as it will depend on how the property is equipped.

Landlords should conform to the list below to help minimise risks that property letting may involve:

  • Landlord liability - This covers for injuries that the person living in the rented accommodation may claim against the landlord. If conditions are dangerous in the rented accommodation as a result of negligence on the landlord’s behalf then this could affect the claim.

  • Emergency assistance - Protection against call-out fees for contractors carrying out work for emergencies. These may include roofing damage, heating problems, lost keys, plumbing, etc.

  • Extra cover - For example, loss of rent due to the tenant not paying up. Additional cover could help in these circumstances.

Contact us for more advice on what buildings and contents insurance would be most suitable for you.