Buildings insurance

• Don’t over insure

Avoid ‘guesstimates’ when it comes to insuring your home. It’s important to give an accurate cost of rebuilding your property, otherwise you’ll end up paying for more cover than you need.

• No-claims bonus

If you’ve not previously made a claim you’ll usually be rewarded with a discount from the insurer. The more years you go without claiming, the bigger the discount applied.

• Explore policy options

If you’re a homeowner it’s typically cheaper if you opt for a combined policy covering both buildings and contents insurance from the same provider.

* Confused.com data for buildings insurance premiums in Nov 2018.

• Pay annually

Monthly instalments can be the easier option at times, but this can be the more expensive option as insurers often charge interest and admin fees on top of your premium.

• Shop around

Don’t just accept your renewal quote from your existing provider. It’s not always the best deal.

• Install smoke alarms

Regardless of this saving you money, you should have smoke alarms fitted and regularly maintained in your home.

What is home emergency cover?

Home emergency cover is an optional extra that covers you for unexpected situations such as boiler breakdown or leaks from a burst pipe. It usually offers homeowners access to a 24-hour emergency helpline. If emergency assistance is required from a tradesperson then the call-out costs, labour and repair costs are covered.

Will buildings insurance cover rising damp?

Typically, insurers don’t cover for gradual damage caused by damp. If you have signs of damp in your home it’s best to get them checked by a professional. Our guide can help you to spot the common signs of damp.

Do I need building insurance if I rent a property?

No, if you rent your property you don’t need to take out buildings insurance. Your landlord should have this covered as the owner of the property.

Can I get buildings insurance in a flood risk area?

Yes, you can protect your home against flooding even in a flood risk area. The government and insurers have an agreement which allows for affordable premiums even in flood risk areas, it’s called Flood Re.

Do I need buildings insurance on my flat?

If you own a freehold flat it’s your responsibility to buy buildings insurance. However, if you own a leasehold flat, the building should be covered by your landlord. Take a look at flat insurance for more information.

Will building insurance cover subsidence?

Most building insurance policies cover for any damage caused by landslip, subsidence or heave to your property. It generally covers repairs and rebuild costs. In the event of a claim you can expect to pay around £1,000 excess.