6 questions to ask before you choose a home insurance policy

Home insurance premiums rose by 14% year-on-year between October and December 2024, according to research by Compare the Market.

With prices climbing and policies varying significantly, getting the right cover is essential. Too little insurance could leave you out of pocket if you need to claim, while paying for cover you don’t need is money wasted.   

Here, we outline six key questions you should ask before choosing a policy.

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1. Do I need buildings insurance?

Home insurance is usually split into buildings and contents insurance. Buildings insurance protects the structure of your home, while contents insurance covers your belongings.

If you own your home, buildings insurance is more likely to be an essential than a 'nice-to-have'.

Mortgage lenders generally require it from the date of exchange, and even if you own your home outright, consider how much it would cost to rebuild if the worst happened. 

Without insurance, you’d have to cover the full amount yourself, which could run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Not everyone needs their own policy. If you live in a block of flats, the building may already be insured and your contribution covered by your service charge. If you rent, your landlord is responsible for buildings insurance, but you’ll need your own cover for personal belongings.

• Find out more: best buildings insurance

2. Do I need contents insurance?

Contents insurance is not a legal requirement, but it can be valuable if your possessions are lost, damaged or stolen. It covers everything from furniture and clothes to electronics and jewellery.

Before buying a policy, take stock of what you own. Our contents insurance calculator can help you estimate the total value of your belongings. 

There’s no point paying for £100,000 of cover if your possessions are worth £10,000, but under-insuring could leave you high and dry if you need to claim. If you’re not covered for the full amount, your insurer may reduce your payout.

Before signing up, check if you already have cover for some items, for example via a packaged bank account. You may also have separate insurance for gadgets or valuables.

Many insurers offer optional extras, such as accidental damage, home emergency cover or protection for items you take outside the home. Some policies also include student cover, protecting a household member’s belongings even while they’re away at university. 

• Find out more: best contents insurance

3. Does my policy cover floods, subsidence or extreme weather? 

Most home insurance policies cover storms, floods and subsidence, but the details vary. 

Buildings insurance usually includes damage from wind, rain, snow and ice, while flood cover protects against water entering your home from heavy rain, high tides or rivers bursting their banks. If you also have contents insurance, your belongings should be covered too.

Subsidence cover is included in most buildings insurance policies but often comes with a higher excess, typically around £1,000. Some insurers won’t cover damage to patios, garden walls or driveways unless the main building is affected. If your home has had subsidence before, you may face extra conditions or higher premiums.

Storm damage is covered, but fences, gates and outbuildings are often excluded. Insurers also expect homeowners to maintain their properties, and claims may be rejected if poor upkeep contributed to the damage.

If you live in a high-risk flood area, you should still be able to get cover through the Flood Re initiative, though homes built after 2009 aren’t eligible. Check your policy’s exclusions and excess amounts to make sure you’re fully covered if bad weather strikes.

• Find out more: does your insurance cover damage caused by bad weather?

4. Do I need accidental damage cover?

Accidental damage cover protects against unexpected mishaps, such as dropping your laptop, spilling red wine on the carpet or a child drawing on the walls. It covers one-off incidents but won’t pay for general wear and tear.

Some home insurance policies include limited accidental damage cover for certain items, such as TVs, but protection for things such as stained carpets or cracked sinks usually costs extra. If you have young children, pets or expensive furniture, this could save you money in the long run.

Homeowners may find accidental damage cover useful for repairs, especially for high-value items or built-in fixtures, while landlords can use it to protect against tenant damage that goes beyond fair wear and tear. 

If you’re renting, check your tenancy agreement. Some contracts make tenants responsible for accidental damage to the property’s fixtures and fittings.

Check your policy before adding accidental damage cover, as some insurers include it as standard.

• Find out more: home insurance add-ons, fees and charges

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5. Do I need to insure my house if it is empty?

If your home is going to be empty for more than 30 consecutive days, you may need a specialist unoccupied home insurance policy. 

Standard home insurance usually covers your property year-round, but most insurers have a limit on how long a property can be left empty, typically 30 days, though some allow up to 60.

Insurers see unoccupied homes as a higher risk because they are more vulnerable to damage, vandalism or break-ins. As a result, unoccupied property insurance is often more expensive than regular home insurance.

If you're a landlord, your landlord insurance may cover an empty property for up to three months between tenants, but this varies. Some policies require extra cover for longer void periods, so it’s always worth checking the terms of your policy to make sure you’re protected.

• Find out more: holiday home insurance

6. Does the insurer offer good customer service and competitive deals?

Choosing the right provider is just as important as picking the right level of cover. A good insurer will offer clear policies, fair pricing and reliable claims handling, while a poor one could leave you frustrated when you need support the most.

To help you find the best provider, we surveyed nearly 1,700 home insurance customers and reviewed 33 companies to see how they compare on policy quality, value for money and claims experience. Our research found big differences between insurers.

To see which home insurance providers offer the best cover and service, read our guide to the best and worst home insurance.