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Types of Home Insurance in the UK: What You Need to Know
The level and type of home insurance you need depends on your property type, what you want to protect, and the risks you're exposed to.
Many households underestimate those risks. In 2024, it’s estimated that 76% of UK homes were underinsured, highlighting how often people underestimate rebuild costs.
This guide explains what each type of home insurance covers, and which optional extras can improve your protection. This is general information, not personal advice
Why home insurance matters
Your home is likely your largest asset, and adequate cover protects it against fire, theft, flood, and accidental damage
While home insurance isn’t a legal requirement in the UK, mortgage lenders typically require buildings insurance, and many expect cover to start from exchange of contracts.
The three main types
Most policies fall into three core categories, each designed to protect different aspects of your home and belongings.
Buildings insurance
Buildings insurance pays to repair or rebuild your home's structure when damaged by fire, flood, or subsidence. It includes permanent fixtures like kitchens and bathrooms, and extends to outbuildings such as garages and sheds.
Most mortgage lenders require borrowers to have buildings insurance in place as a condition of the mortgage, often from exchange of contracts.
Typically covers:
- Damage to walls, roof, floors, and ceilings
- Kitchen units, bathroom suites, and other permanent fixtures
- Outbuildings such as garages and greenhouses
- Fire, flood, storm, and subsidence damage
- Escape of water and vandalism
If you own a listed building or a home with non-standard construction, you may need specialist buildings insurance to reflect the full rebuild cost and meet conservation requirements.
Contents insurance
Contents insurance covers personal belongings inside your home. It pays to replace or repair items stolen, damaged, or destroyed by fire, flood, or burglary. It applies to items kept inside your home, and in some cases, those temporarily taken outside.
Typically covers:
- Furniture, electronics, and appliances
- Jewellery, watches, and valuables
- Mobile phones, laptops, and personal tech
- Clothing, books, and soft furnishings
- Theft, fire, flood, and accidental damage (if selected)
If you own valuable jewellery, artwork, or premium electronics, standard contents insurance may fall short. Specialist policies like rivr’s offer higher single-item limits and can include worldwide protection for your belongings.
Combined buildings and contents insurance
A combined policy includes both buildings and contents cover in one plan. It protects the structure of your home (such as walls, roof, kitchen, and bathroom) along with personal items like furniture, electronics, and clothing.
This setup makes it easier to manage your policy and submit a single claim if an incident affects both the building and your belongings. Your insurance company may offer a discount for combining policies, which can lower your overall home insurance cost.
Specialist types of home insurance
Beyond standard home insurance, the UK market offers tailored policies for specific living situations and property types.
High-value home insurance
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This is rivr's area of expertise. Standard home insurance policies aren't designed for substantial properties or valuable collections. If your home's rebuild cost exceeds £1 million, or you own fine art, jewellery, or antiques, you need specialist cover.
When standard cover falls short
Standard policies cap single items at £1,500 to £2,500. If you own a Rolex worth £15,000, those limits leave you significantly underinsured. rivr offers up to £25,000 for unspecified jewellery and watches, with the option to specify high-value items individually at agreed values.
High-value home insurance recognises that your possessions are exceptional and your property requires specialist reinstatement. Higher coverage limits. Better protection. Fewer restrictions
What high-value policies offer
Increased single-item limits for valuable jewellery, watches, artwork, and antiques.
Worldwide cover so your valuables remain protected at home or while travelling.
Comprehensive building protection that reflects the true cost of rebuilding unique architectural features (includes specialist cover for listed buildings).
Accidental damage can be added for everyday mishaps, from spilled wine to dropped electronics.
Tailored policies designed around your specific circumstances rather than one-size-fits-all packages.
rivr's high-value approach
rivr specialises in protecting substantial homes and valuable possessions. Policies cover buildings, contents, fine art, jewellery, and watches with higher limits for exceptional items. Accidental damage cover can be added; worldwide protection and home emergency assistance are included as standard
For more guidance on high-value home insurance, rivr's specialist team can help you understand the cover that matches your circumstances.
While the insurance products below fall outside rivr's high-value home insurance focus, understanding your options helps ensure you're protected appropriately
Landlord insurance
If you rent out a property, landlord insurance is essential. It covers the building and any fixtures or furnishings you provide, such as appliances, flooring, or furniture. According to NimbleFins, basic landlord buildings insurance in the UK costs around £170 to £226 per year, based on a typical £200,000 rebuild cost.
Unlike standard home insurance, landlord policies include cover for risks such as rent loss after fire or flood, damage caused by tenants, legal expenses, and public liability if someone is injured on the property.
This protects you from legal liability for accidents involving tenants or visitors.A dd-ons like rent guarantee or legal expenses cover can provide further protection. Public liability cover is usually included as standard.
Tenants insurance (Renters contents insurance)
Renters often wonder, “What insurance do I need when the landlord already has insurance?” The answer lies in understanding the landlord’s responsibility. Their policy usually covers the building itself and any fixtures or furnishings they provide.
A dedicated tenants’ contents policy is crucial. It protects your possessions, including electronics, jewellery, clothing, and furniture, against theft, loss, or accidental damage. Some renters’ policies include tenants’ liability cover, which can help with the cost of accidental damage to your landlord’s fixtures or furnishings (for example, carpets).
Estimate the full value of your belongings to avoid underinsurance. Most tenant policies include liability protection if you accidentally damage the landlord's property.
Student insurance
Students typically live in shared accommodation, which presents unique risks. Student insurance ensures personal possessions, such as laptops, mobile phones, bicycles, and study materials, are protected against theft, loss, or accidental damage.
Unlike most home insurance policies, student cover is specifically tailored, offering affordable premiums and robust protection even outside your accommodation.
Make sure your insured amount reflects the full value of your possessions.
Non-standard home insurance
Homes with thatched roofs, listed buildings, or timber framing face challenges with standard insurers.
Standard home insurance is designed for standard construction and doesn't provide adequate protection for unique properties.
Non-standard home insurance provides tailored cover that reflects the full rebuild value of your property
Unoccupied property insurance
Most home insurance policies exclude properties left empty for more than 30 days due to higher risks of vandalism, break-ins, or undetected damage. Some policies (including rivr's), provide limited cover for up to 45 days before restrictions apply.
Unoccupied property insurance provides targeted protection for homes that are left vacant for an extended period, such as during renovation, probate, or a pending sale.
Unoccupied property policies often limit cover unless you meet certain conditions, such as regular inspections or draining plumbing systems. Some insurance companies may require additional security measures or specific endorsements, which can affect your overall insurance cost.
Second home insurance
Second home insurance is designed for properties used occasionally, like a holiday home, weekend retreat, or inherited house. It provides buildings and contents cover between visits, assuming the property is maintained and used periodically.
The key distinction is that second homes are still occupied at times, while unoccupied homes remain empty for extended periods. You can often add extra cover for accidental damage or public liability, especially if the home is let short-term. Always check the terms, as insurance companies may apply different conditions to second homes than to your main residence.
Optional extras and add-ons
To enhance your home insurance coverage, consider these popular add-ons:
How to choose the right type of home insurance
To find the right home insurance policy:
If you have specific needs (such as a leasehold flat or high-value home), use a specialist insurer or broker to understand policy features and coverage limits.
Conclusion
The right home insurance protects you against unpredictable events. Review your policy regularly, especially after home improvements or major purchases.
For more guidance on home insurance, visit the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. With rivr, your insured contents are covered anywhere in the world. This includes jewellery, watches and personal possessions when you’re travelling, as long as they’re insured under your contents cover.
Yes. Non-standard homes like thatched or timber-framed cottages usually need tailored underwriting because of higher fire or rebuild risks. Unfortunately, rivr cannot currently insure thatched properties.
The rebuild cost is what it would cost to rebuild your home from the ground up, excluding land value. It’s usually lower than the property’s market value.
While home insurance is not legally required in the UK, buildings insurance is usually compulsory if you're buying with a mortgage. Lenders require it to be in place from the date of exchange to protect the property against structural damage.
Combined buildings and contents insurance is the most popular type of home insurance in the UK. According to the FCA’s 2023 data, it accounts for the majority of home insurance premiums, with 45 pence in every £1 paid out in claims under this policy type. Industry research estimates that combined policies make up around 70% of the UK market.
The right type of house insurance depends on your circumstances.
- Homeowners usually need buildings insurance (often required by mortgage lenders) and contents insurance to protect belongings.
- Renters only need contents insurance.
- Landlords need specialist landlord insurance.
- High-value or non-standard homes may require tailored cover from specialist providers.
The general rule is that you may need high-value home insurance if you meet any of the following criteria:
- The rebuild value of your home is over £1 million
- Your general contents are worth over £100,000
- You have valuable items that together are worth over £30,000
The policy is insured by two of the largest insurance companies in the world, which are both A-rated for their financial strength. The Buildings, Contents and Liability cover is insured by HDI Global Specialty SE. The Home Emergency and Family Legal Protection cover is insured by AmTrust Specialty.
