Buildings & Contents Insurance

The right cover costs less than you think. The wrong cover costs everything.

Buildings and contents insurance is one of those things that gets sorted quickly at the point of buying a home and then never looked at again. The policy renews automatically every year, the direct debit goes out, and nobody checks whether the cover still reflects the property, the contents or the circumstances.

I can arrange buildings and contents insurance for new purchases and remortgages, and I can review existing policies for clients who want to know whether they are properly covered and whether they are getting value for money.

Buildings insurance

Buildings insurance covers the structure of your property including walls, roof, floors, windows and permanent fixtures. It is a condition of most mortgages that adequate buildings insurance is in place from exchange of contracts. Arranging this through me means it is done properly, at the right time, without it becoming another thing on your list.

What it typically covers:

  • Fire, flood and storm damage

  • Subsidence

  • Escape of water

  • Accidental damage to the structure

  • Theft or attempted theft causing structural damage

  • Alternative accommodation if your home becomes uninhabitable

Contents insurance

Contents insurance covers your personal possessions inside the property. Everything from furniture and electronics to clothing, jewellery and kitchen appliances. It is often underestimated — most people significantly undervalue their contents when they first take out a policy.

What it typically covers:

  • Theft

  • Fire and flood damage to contents

  • Accidental damage

  • Personal possessions away from home if included

Why a review is worth doing

If you took out your buildings and contents insurance when you bought your home and have simply let it renew every year since, there is a good chance something has changed. You may have extended the property, renovated the kitchen, accumulated more contents or seen the rebuild cost of your home increase. You may also be paying significantly more than you need to with a different insurer.

A review takes very little time. I'll look at what you have, check the sums insured still reflect your property and contents, and compare the market to see whether a better option exists. If your current policy is fine I'll tell you. If it isn't I'll show you what's available.

Who I work with

  • New buyers arranging buildings insurance for the first time

  • Clients remortgaging who want to review their existing cover

  • Homeowners who have never properly reviewed their policy

  • Clients who have extended or renovated their property

  • Clients who want buildings and contents arranged alongside their mortgage in one conversation

FAQs

When do I need buildings insurance in place?
Buildings insurance must be in place from exchange of contracts, not completion. This is the point at which you become legally committed to the purchase and take on the risk of the property. Leaving it until completion day is too late. I'll make sure it is arranged at the right time.

Do I have to use my mortgage lender's insurance?
No. Your lender will require adequate buildings insurance but they cannot force you to use their product. Shopping the whole market almost always finds better value. I'll compare options and recommend the most suitable policy for your property.

How much buildings insurance do I need?
Your buildings insurance should be based on the rebuild cost of your property, not its market value. The rebuild cost is what it would cost to completely reconstruct the property from scratch including materials, labour and fees. These are two very different figures and confusing them is one of the most common mistakes people make. I'll make sure the sum insured reflects the actual rebuild cost.

What is underinsurance and why does it matter?
Underinsurance is when your sum insured is lower than your actual rebuild cost or contents value. If you make a claim and the insurer finds you are underinsured they may reduce the payout proportionally. This means even a partial claim may not be paid in full. Getting the sum insured right from the start matters.

Do I need contents insurance?
It is not a legal requirement but it is strongly recommended. The value of most people's contents is significantly higher than they initially estimate. A single room of furniture, a laptop, a television, clothing and kitchen appliances can easily add up to tens of thousands of pounds. Without contents insurance replacing these after a fire or flood would come entirely out of your own pocket.

Can I insure my home and contents together?
Yes. Combined buildings and contents policies are widely available and often more cost effective than separate policies. I'll assess whether a combined or separate policy is the right approach for your situation.

I had an extension built. Do I need to update my policy?
Yes. Any significant change to the property including an extension, loft conversion or major renovation should be notified to your insurer. Failure to do so could invalidate your policy. If you have made changes since your policy was last reviewed it is worth getting in touch.

My policy renews automatically. Is that fine?
Automatic renewal is convenient but it does not mean you are getting the best deal or the right cover. Insurers often increase premiums at renewal above what is available to new customers. A quick review at renewal point can identify whether you are paying more than you need to or whether your cover needs updating.

What if I rent out a room or use my home for business?
Standard home insurance policies typically exclude or limit cover for properties used for business purposes or where rooms are let to tenants. If your situation has changed since you took out your policy it is important to make sure your cover reflects it. Get in touch and I'll check whether your existing policy still applies.

The information on this page is intended as a general guide only and was accurate at the time of writing. Policy terms, premiums and insurer criteria can change. Please get in touch for current and personalised advice.

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