The type of flat insurance you need - just contents, or both buildings and contents - depends on your personal circumstances. Contents insurance isn't a legal requirement, but it could be useful if something happens to your belongings.
You only need contents insurance. Your landlord should have buildings insurance to cover the building and permanent fixtures
You just need contents insurance. This is because responsibility for the flat's structure falls to whoever owns the freehold. You probably pay toward the cost of buildings insurance as part of your service and management charge. When you buy a flat on leasehold, your solicitor or mortgage company should ask for evidence that the freeholder has buildings insurance in place
or you share the freehold with others: You need buildings insurance as well as contents. If you have a mortgage, your lender usually requires proof of buildings insurance to release the funds
You need specific landlord insurance, which covers the risks linked to your rental property. Aside from covering the building (if you own the freehold), landlord insurance also covers fixtures and fittings such as carpets, kitchens and bathrooms that could be damaged during the tenancy
You usually need separate policies for a property that's part commercial and part residential. This would be a combined home insurance for the flat and business insurance for the shop or restaurant under it. In this situation your buildings and contents insurance may be more expensive as there's a higher risk of something happening, such as a fire if you live above a restaurant
According to gov.uk, there were an estimated 4.77 million leasehold dwellings in England in 2023. In you're a leaseholder, it could be a good idea to check if you need both buildings and contents insurance.
Flat contents insurance covers your belongings against loss, damage or theft. These are items that aren't part of the fixtures and fittings of your flat such as:
It works the same whether you’re renting your flat or if you own it through leasehold or freehold.
What’s covered varies with each policy, but you should make sure your contents are insured for events like fire, flood, escape of water and burglary. Our contents insurance calculator can help you work out how much cover you need.
With the cost of living increasing, getting contents insurance for your flat may be low on your list of priorities. But while not buying it could save you money in the short term, you may be left with a big bill if something happens and you don't have cover in place.
"If you’re looking to save money on your flat insurance, my top tip is to make sure you’re getting the cover you need and not over-insuring your flat. For example, if you own a flat with a leasehold, you probably only need contents insurance as buildings insurance is the responsibility of the freeholder.
Next, make sure you compare quotes. Don’t auto renew or jump at the first option."
There are lots of ways to lower the cost of flat insurance, including:
Paying for your home insurance in monthly instalments might be convenient but it's almost always more expensive. Insurers charge interest rates for the benefit of paying in instalments. You can avoid any extra charges by choosing a one-off payment, if you can afford to
You might pay too much if your cover levels are too high. But if you underestimate the value of your home or contents you might not be able to claim as much as you need if something happens to your flat. Use our contents calculator or find out how to estimate and calculate your rebuild costs to help you get the right level of cover
Raising your excess can lower your insurance costs but means you need to pay more if you claim, so make sure the amount you choose is affordable
Comparing quotes is the easiest way to save money. You can often find a better deal with another insurer rather than auto renewing with your current provider
It’s important that you answer the questions truthfully when getting a quote. Changing your answers may give you a cheaper price, but giving incorrect information risks invalidating your policy and means you can’t claim if you need to.
Read more tips to reduce your home insurance costs.
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When you buy flat insurance, you choose the type you need – just contents, or both buildings and contents – and the level of cover. Some home insurance policies have several features added automatically and others you may need to pay extra for.
When you get a quote we'll show you details of the policies available to you, including whether these extras are included or if they cost extra to add to the policy
Typical add-ons include:
This covers damage caused by accidents, such as spilling something on your sofa, smashing a television or dropping an antique vase
This covers your possessions against loss and theft while you're away from home. This includes things you carry with you every day, such as jewellery, watches, handbags, laptops and mobile phones
This provides alternative accommodation and cover the costs of moving out of your property if it’s uninhabitable, for example while work is carried out on your home after a flood or fire
Home emergency covers unexpected incidents, such as burst pipes or your boiler breaking down and can pay for the cost of calling out tradespeople in a household emergency
Legal expenses or family protection cover gives you access to legal advice as well as covering legal fees relating to your flat. Some policies include this as standard but it's best to check if you need it
Find out about the different types of home insurance
Do you know how much cover you need? Our guide can help make sure you've considered everything.
Is home insurance a legal requirement? We take a look at the different forms of home insurance you should consider.
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