Direct Line home insurance review

To be a Which? Recommended Provider, an insurer must:

• Be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
• Be available to the general public
• Have received responses from 40 or more customers in our survey
• Achieve high scores in our customer satisfaction survey
• Achieve an average or higher policy score
• Achieve an average or higher claims satisfaction score

Policy analysis

We analyse and rate 177 aspects of cover across insurers' policies, including their key buildings and contents features, and elements applicable to both kinds of cover (such as admin fees). We use this data to award each provider policy scores for its buildings and contents cover. 

Initially, we score all of the product elements out of five, reflecting how competitive each policy is in this area compared with other insurance products. We also assess how important different policy elements are to consumers when choosing and using their home insurance, and factor this in when calculating our policy scores. More important features (such as alternative accommodation cover) will have more of an effect on the score than some other features (such as cover for the contents of your freezer).

Customer survey

We also surveyed 3,419 members of the public who had made a claim in the past two years. The survey was conducted in May-June 2026. 

Our customer score reflects the general satisfaction of customers with their current insurer and their likelihood of recommending it. The claims score reflects how satisfied they were with how their most recent claim was handled and their likelihood of recommending the insurer for claims. 

We review a lot of policies – and being a Best Buy recognises the individual products that stood out as being the most comprehensive in our analysis. It doesn't reflect customer service. However, we won't give a provider a Best Buy where there's evidence – from our surveys or from Financial Conduct Authority data – of poor service or a poorer-than-average record of paying claims.

• Buildings Best Buy policies must have a minimum buildings policy score of 73% 
• Contents Best Buy policies must have a contents score of at least 70%

Additionally, we look at how consistently good the cover is in policies. To make the cut, a policy needs to have scored at least three out of five points in two thirds of the areas we've rated (find out more: how we rate policies).

Lastly, all Best Buy policies must have – or make available – the following levels of cover as a minimum:

Buildings

Flood, storm, subsidence and accidental damage cover; Cover for burst or blocked pipes; Trace and access cover (£5,000); Alternative accommodation (£50,000) with no time limit; Property owner liability (£1m); Replacement of locks or keys for external doors (£500); Home Emergency Cover (£500 and includes the central heating system).

Contents

Accidental damage cover; Theft and damage of contents in the open; Theft and damage of contents from outbuildings; Business equipment; Alternative accommodation (£15,000); Money in the home (£500); Valuables (unspecified single item limit – £2,000); Personal possessions (unspecified single item limit - £1,000); Replacement of locks or keys for external doors (£500).

We’re not influenced by third parties. We work entirely on behalf of you, the consumer – nobody else. See our statement of editorial independence for more.