What is buildings insurance?
Buildings insurance covers the structure of your property if it is damaged or destroyed. It usually protects parts like walls, windows, doors, the roof, and fixtures and fittings. For example, if a fire, flood, or storm damages your property, your insurance will pay for repairs, rebuilding, or replacement.
What’s usually covered by buildings insurance?
A comprehensive buildings insurance policy usually covers structural damage to your property. This includes most elements including the windows, doors, walls, roof, and floors. Permanent fixtures inside and outside the property – like a bathroom suite, garage or shed – are also covered.
The following events are usually included
What’s not covered?
There are some exclusions to a standard buildings insurance policy, this typically includes:
- Damage from wear and tear, electrical and mechanical breakdown, or gradual deterioration
- Wet or dry rot
- Storm damage to fences, gates and hedges
- Certain losses and damage (eg, from burst pipes) to buildings or contents when your home is unoccupied for more than the number of days shown on your schedule.
What’s not covered?
There are some exclusions to a standard buildings insurance policy, this typically includes:
- Damage from wear and tear, electrical and mechanical breakdown, or gradual deterioration
- Wet or dry rot
- Storm damage to fences, gates and hedges
- Certain losses and damage (eg, from burst pipes) to buildings or contents when your home is unoccupied for more than the number of days shown on your schedule.
Do I need buildings insurance for my home?
Whether you need buildings insurance depends on how you own your home. It’s not always required, but it’s a good idea to have it. Buildings insurance protects your property against damage like fires, floods, or structural problems. Let’s look at different homeowners and when you might need it.
Homeowners with a mortgage
If you have a mortgage, your lender usually requires you to get buildings insurance. This insurance protects your home from damage and helps secure the lender’s investment.
Homeowners without a mortgage
If you own your home outright, you don’t have to get buildings insurance. However, it’s still a good idea to have it. Repairs after damage can be expensive.
Leasehold flat owners
If you own a flat on a leasehold basis, the freeholder usually arranges buildings insurance. They include the cost of the insurance in service charges. You should check your lease to make sure.
Landlords
If you rent out a property, buildings insurance is a good idea. It can help protect your investment. Some landlord policies even include cover for public liability.
When you may not need buildings insurance
If you’re a tenant – you don’t need buildings insurance. The landlord is responsible for it, but renters might want contents insurance for their items.
If the freeholder covers it – leasehold flat owners might have buildings insurance as part of the service charges.
If the property is temporary – mobile homes or holiday homes might not need normal buildings insurance.
What do I need to provide to get a quote?
All you need to do is provide some basic personal information along with details about your property.
Key property details usually required:
- Address & postcode
- Size & type of property
- Age of the property
- Level of security
Additionally, you may need to let your insurer know:
- If you’ve had any home insurance claims in the last five years
- If your property or local area has experienced subsidence in the past
What do I need to provide to get a quote?
All you need to do is provide some basic personal information along with details about your property.
Key property details usually required:
- Address & postcode
- Size & type of property
- Age of the property
- Level of security
Additionally, you may need to let your insurer know:
- If you’ve had any home insurance claims in the last five years
- If your property or local area has experienced subsidence in the past
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Frequently Asked Questions about buildings insurance
Subsidence coverage is usually included in your standard policy, not as a separate one. If there has been any history of subsidence at your property or nearby, you must inform your insurer when getting a quote. If your property is in a high-risk subsidence area, based on your postcode, it may affect your policy or the price you pay. Not providing this information could result in a claim being denied or your policy being voided.
To determine how much buildings insurance you need, consider the cost of rebuilding your home if it were destroyed. This is usually lower than the market value because you don't need to buy the land again.
The rebuild cost should include things like kitchen units, bathroom suites, and fixtures. The Association of British Insurers offers a free calculator to help you estimate your rebuild cost.
Many insurers may offer discounts to policyholders who haven’t made any claims. But please note that a discount at renewal is not guaranteed.
Several things can make your building insurance invalid, including:
- Leaving your home unoccupied for more than the number of days shown on your schedule
- Undervaluing your property rebuild cost
- Getting a lodger
- Using your home for business purposes, when you haven’t informed your insurer
- Not updating your personal details, for example, a change of name or address.
Before you begin any renovations, such as adding an extension, let your insurer know. Your home may remain insured as normal, depending on the work you do. Some insurers don’t require extra cover for small projects or jobs under a certain cost if needed, you can add home renovation and extension insurance through your current insurer – if they offer it. Otherwise, you can get cover from another provider.
Yes, contents insurance is a good idea. Buildings insurance covers your home’s structure, but contents insurance protects your belongings, like furniture, electronics, and personal items. It helps cover theft, fire, and accidental damage. You can buy these policies separately or as a combined home insurance policy for full protection.