FAQ on Household Insurance

1. What do I get for my building insurance cover?
2. How can I buy cheap house insurance?
3. How much household insurance do I need?

What do I get for my building insurance cover?

As well as the structure of your house, your insurance covers permanent fixtures and fittings, such as the toilet, fitted kitchens and built-in cupboards. If you are not sure, ask yourself: can it reasonably be removed and taken to a new home?

Most house insurance policies in the UK also include outbuildings, such as garages, greenhouses and garden sheds - but boundary walls, gates and drives may not be covered. Other features like swimming pools or tennis courts may also be excluded, so you will need to check with your provider.

How can I buy cheap house insurance?

The main risks covered by house insurance include fire, theft and subsidence as well as risks from natural disasters - therefore, the best way to lower your house insurance premium is to reduce the risks of these events.

Fitting better locks to your doors and windows, as well as fitting smoke alarms and other fire precautions help to give you a cheap house insurance policy.

Flood risk is another factor in your house insurance but if you live in the UK, you can find out if your house is at risk from flooding by entering your postcode in the Environment Agency's online flood risk map.

How much household insurance do I need?

When buying house insurance, it is vital to get the right level of cover but remember that you are insuring the cost of rebuilding your home, not the market value of your home.

The rebuild cost of your home can be found on your mortgage agreement or you can work it out by using the house insurance rebuilding calculator on the UK's Association of British Insurers' website.

Remember: your insurer will only pay out what you're insured for, even if that's less than the value of your claim. Therefore, it is vital to be as accurate as possible when valuing the cost of rebuilding your home.

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