🏠 Home insurance compared
UK avg combined: £375/yr (ABI Q1 2026)Insure the rebuild cost, not the market value — underinsurance is the most common (and most expensive) home insurance mistake.
Aviva
- Defaqto 5-star options
- Contents new-for-old as standard
- Alternative accommodation cover
- Optional accidental damage
LV=
- Strong claims satisfaction record
- Escape-of-water cover standard
- Home emergency add-on
- Flexible excess options
Direct Line
- Not on comparison sites
- 8-hour emergency boiler response option
- Guaranteed repairs for 12 months
- Squatter removal cover
Policy Expert
- Top-rated home insurer on Trustpilot
- Simple tiered cover levels
- Competitive pricing
- UK-based claims team
Homeprotect
- Non-standard homes: listed, thatched, flood-risk
- Unoccupied property cover
- Renovation projects covered
- Online quote for unusual risks
Urban Jungle
- Built for renters and sharers
- Monthly rolling contents cover
- Trustpilot Excellent rating
- No paperwork, all online
Quickest way to compare: run one quote and see multiple 🏠 home insurers side by side.
quotes at GoCompareWhat to compare before you buy
- Buildings cover should equal the rebuild cost (use the free ABI/BCIS calculator) — not the purchase price.
- Accidental damage is usually an add-on, not standard — the most commonly mis-assumed feature.
- Check alternative accommodation limits: a serious escape-of-water claim can mean months out of the house.
- Single-item limits (often £1,500–£2,000) matter if you own jewellery, bikes or cameras — declare high-value items.
- Subsidence excess is typically £1,000; in older properties, check it before buying on price alone.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need buildings insurance as a leaseholder?
Usually not — the freeholder typically insures the building and you pay through the service charge. You normally only need contents cover. Check your lease.
What's the difference between rebuild cost and market value?
Rebuild (reinstatement) cost is what it would cost to rebuild the house from scratch — often much lower than market value, which includes the land. Insuring at market value means overpaying; underestimating rebuild cost risks claims being scaled down.
Is flood cover standard?
Standard policies include flood, but high-risk postcodes are priced via the Flood Re scheme. Specialists like Homeprotect handle non-standard and high-risk homes.
How much buildings cover do I need?
Insure for the full rebuild cost, not the market value — they're different. The rebuild figure (on your mortgage valuation, or via the ABI/BCIS rebuild calculator) is what it would cost to rebuild from scratch. Underinsuring here is the most common reason claims are cut.
Is accidental damage cover worth adding?
It covers the everyday mishaps standard policies exclude — a foot through the ceiling, red wine on the carpet, a drill through a pipe. If you have young children or are mid-renovation it usually pays for itself; otherwise it's optional.