Home Insurance

The best home insurance policy depends on your specific needs. Using a comparison tool like Ensure allows you to compare policies from multiple providers quickly and easily. This increases your chances of finding the most suitable deal by giving you access to quotes from up to 50 providers.

Home insurance isn’t legally required in the UK, but mortgage lenders will typically require buildings insurance. Even though tenants may not need buildings insurance, contents insurance is a wise investment to protect personal belongings.

The claims process typically involves an insurance adjuster reviewing the damage or loss before determining the payout. Each provider may handle claims differently, so it's important to understand the claims process before choosing a policy. Ensure’s home insurance comparison tool helps you find providers with easy-to-understand claims processes.

Most home contents insurance policies will replace damaged or stolen items with new equivalents. This is known as like-for-like replacement. However, some policies may only cover the current value of the item at the time of the claim. Always review the terms of your policy to understand the level of cover.

The excess is the amount you must contribute when making a claim. For example, if your excess is £200, you will pay the first £200 of any claim. You can often adjust the excess level to suit your needs, with a higher excess potentially lowering your premium. Be mindful that claims can affect future policy costs.

Home insurance typically does not cover vehicles. You will need a separate vehicle insurance policy. Some home insurance policies may cover damage to your car if it occurs while it is parked on your property, but it will not provide coverage for driving-related incidents.

Pets are not usually covered under home insurance. You will need a separate pet insurance policy. However, it is important to declare pets on your home insurance policy, as some policies may cover accidental damage caused by them, while others exclude such claims.

Yes, not all home insurance policies automatically cover malicious damage or acts of vandalism. Coverage for terrorism or civil unrest may also be excluded, so it’s essential to review your policy for any limitations.

Some home insurance policies cover personal belongings taken outside the home, such as laptops, phones, or bicycles. This may be included as standard in premium policies or available as an optional add-on. Always check the policy to ensure your belongings are covered when you're out and about.

If you own high-value items, it's important to check your policy’s coverage limits for individual items. Some policies may have a cap on the amount they’ll pay out for specific items, so you may need to list these valuables separately to ensure full coverage.

Accidental damage cover is not always included in standard home insurance policies, but it can usually be added as an extra. This type of cover protects against unexpected incidents, such as breaking a window or damaging an appliance. Be sure to check whether your policy includes accidental damage and understand any exclusions.

If you own a rental property, holiday home, or Airbnb, you will likely need landlord insurance instead of regular home insurance. Landlord insurance covers property-specific risks, such as damage caused by tenants or loss of rental income, which may not be covered by standard home insurance policies.

Boiler cover is generally not included in standard home insurance policies but can be purchased as an add-on. While home insurance may cover damage caused by a faulty boiler, it won’t cover boiler repairs or replacements due to wear and tear.

If you're working from home, standard home insurance will likely cover your home office equipment. However, if you meet clients at home or use your property for business, you should inform your provider to ensure your policy covers any additional risks.

Home insurance may cover the cost of repairing a roof leak if it is caused by extreme weather or a sudden incident, such as a fallen tree. However, damage due to wear and tear is generally not covered.

Home insurance may cover roof replacement if the damage is caused by a sudden event like a storm. Routine maintenance and repairs due to wear and tear are typically the homeowner's responsibility.

Most home insurance policies do not cover damage caused by damp or mould, as they are considered maintenance issues. It’s the homeowner's responsibility to prevent damp and mould through proper upkeep.

Most home insurance policies cover an empty property for up to 60 days. If your property will be unoccupied for longer, you may need a specialist insurance policy to protect against risks like theft or structural damage.

Homes near rivers, canals, or the coast may face a higher flood risk. While flood insurance is often included in standard policies, it’s important to verify the specific terms when living near water.

Standard home insurance may not cover risks associated with major building work like extensions or loft conversions. You should inform your provider before starting any structural renovations to ensure you're fully covered.