Buildings & Contents Insurance Guide

A simple guide to protecting your home, belongings, and peace of mind.

Your home is more than bricks and mortar — it’s where your family feels safe, where memories

are made, and where your most valuable possessions live.

Buildings and contents insurance protect that peace of mind, ensuring that if something goes

wrong, you’re covered financially and can get back on your feet quickly.

1. What Is Buildings Insurance?

Buildings insurance covers the physical structure of your home — the walls, roof, floors, and

any permanent fixtures like kitchens, bathrooms, and fitted wardrobes.

It pays for repairs or rebuilding costs if your home is damaged or destroyed by events such as:

• Fire or smoke damage

• Floods or storms

• Burst pipes or water leaks

• Subsidence or structural damage

• Vandalism or accidental impact

If you own your home (or have a mortgage), buildings insurance is essential — most lenders make it a condition of the loan.

2. What Is Contents Insurance?

Contents insurance protects everything inside your home that you could take with you if you

moved.

This includes furniture, clothing, electronics, jewellery, and household goods.

It covers your belongings against damage, theft, or loss from insured events.

Think of it this way: if you could turn your house upside down, everything that would fall out is

your contents.

3. Combined vs. Separate Policies

Many insurers offer combined buildings and contents insurance for simplicity and

discounts, but you can also buy them separately.

This is useful if you rent (contents only) or if your building is covered through a block or landlord

policy.

Combined cover ensures both your home and your belongings are protected under one policy

— making claims and renewals easier.

4. Optional Extras and Add-Ons

Most insurers allow you to tailor your policy with add-ons like:

• Accidental Damage Cover: For spills, breakages, or DIY mishaps.

• Personal Possessions Cover: Protects items you take outside your home (like phones, watches, or laptops).

• Home Emergency Cover: For urgent issues like boiler breakdowns or burst pipes.

• Legal Expenses Cover: For disputes involving your home or property.

Always check what’s included and whether you really need the extras — they can offer great

peace of mind but add to the cost.

5. How Much Cover Do You Need?

For buildings insurance, your cover amount should reflect the rebuild cost, not the

market value.

Rebuild cost is how much it would cost to completely rebuild your home from scratch — you

can estimate this using tools from the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

For contents insurance, add up what it would cost to replace everything you own new for

old.

Most families underestimate this — a full home replacement value can easily reach £40,000–

£60,000 or more.

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Underinsuring your home or belongings. If you underestimate value, insurers may reduce

any payout.

• Not updating your policy after renovations or new purchases. Always review your cover

when things change.

• Assuming cover includes wear and tear. Insurance is for unexpected damage, not gradual

issues.

• Ignoring small print. Always check what’s excluded (e.g., unoccupied homes or

accidental damage).

7. Renters and Landlords

If you rent your home, your landlord’s insurance usually covers the building — but not your

personal belongings.

You’ll still need contents insurance to protect your possessions.

If you’re a landlord, you’ll need landlord insurance, which combines buildings cover with

optional extras like rent protection and liability cover.

8. The Claims Process

If you need to make a claim:

1. Contact your insurer as soon as possible.

2. Provide photos or proof of ownership if requested.

3. Keep receipts for large items — this speeds up claims.

4. Never throw away damaged items before your insurer advises.

Most insurers now offer 24/7 claims lines and digital claim tracking for faster support.

9. Protecting What Matters Most

Buildings and contents insurance protect your home and belongings — but your biggest asset is

still your income.

Consider pairing home insurance with Life Cover, Critical Illness Cover, or **Income

Protection** to ensure your family’s full financial safety net.

10. Final Message

Your home is your family’s foundation. Protecting it properly means peace of mind — knowing

that if the worst happens, you can rebuild and recover quickly.

Take time to review your cover each year and keep your policy up to date with life’s changes.

Protect. Plan. Prosper.

That’s Family Finance.