Home insurance explained: buildings, contents and combined cover
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Quick answer: Buildings insurance covers the structure — required with a mortgage. Contents insurance covers belongings inside. Combined policies are convenient but not always cheapest; check sums insured, accidental damage and away-from-home limits.
Home insurance is two products that are often bundled. Under-insuring contents or using the wrong rebuild value on buildings cover are the costliest mistakes — not the premium itself.
Before you start: Skip this page if you need a personal recommendation or a live quote. This is general UK information — confirm today's figures with the official source linked below.
Buildings cover
Covers walls, roof, floors, permanent fixtures and outbuildings against fire, flood, storm and subsidence (subject to policy terms). Your mortgage lender sets minimum requirements.
Use the BCIS rebuild calculator or insurer tools — rebuilding costs differ sharply from sale prices.
Contents cover
Covers furniture, electronics, clothing and valuables. New-for-old is standard on many policies. List high-value items separately if they exceed single-item limits.
Personal possessions away from home is an optional extension — essential for phones and laptops carried daily.
Common questions
Do I need contents insurance as a renter?
Your landlord insures the building — not your belongings. Contents cover is your responsibility.
Does home insurance cover bikes?
Often only at home unless you add away-from-home cover or list the bike separately.