Whether you have just moved into your new home or lived in the same place for years, it’s important to make sure that you have sufficiently insured your home and everything in it.

You may think that you won’t ever need to make a claim on your home insurance, but there are some factors that are beyond our control. For example, in 2023, a total of £573m was paid out in weather-related home insurance claims¹.

 It might feel overwhelming knowing where to start, but we’ve put together this handy guide to help you make sense of it all.

What is buildings insurance?

Buildings insurance covers the structure of your property, plus any permanent fixtures that you wouldn’t take with you if you moved home. This includes walls, toilets, baths, fitted kitchen cupboards, and more. Your garage, driveway, and fences may also be covered, depending on the policy.

If you have a mortgage, it is usually required that you have buildings insurance. But even if you own a property and do not have a mortgage, it is a good idea – if the building was damaged in any way and you were unprotected, you would have to foot the bill of any repair costs on your own.

What is contents insurance?

Contents insurance covers all the furniture and possessions in your home, including fitted carpets, clothes, electronic devices, freestanding kitchen equipment, and more. If any of these items are lost, damaged, or stolen, you can make a claim to your insurer to cover the cost of repairs or replacements. Each policy will have a maximum amount that you can claim, so it is important you have the right level of cover.

Contents insurance is not mandatory but is highly recommended. If you experience an unfortunate event such as a flood, fire, or burglary, having adequate insurance could save you large sums of money at an already stressful time.