Home insurance

Is your home and its contents covered in the event of damage to your property and belongings?

Speak to an advisor today. Our specialist mortgage consultants are always happy to have a chat over the phone.

How we can help you

If you own your own home or are renting out a property, then you’ll need to have home insurance.

Lenders have certain mandatory conditions for property insurance as a requirement of your mortgage offer to protect their interests.

Cleerly can advise you on the best home insurance solutions so your home and belongings are protected.

Buildings insurance
Covers the structure of your home including permanent fixtures and fittings, such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Contents insurance
For items you keep in your home, like furniture, TVs, personal belongings and some types of flooring including carpets.

Home & Contents insurance

A combined policy from the same provider which can simplify the claims process.

Cleerly's experts are experienced in safeguarding both the structure and contents of your home from potential risks. We evaluate your specific needs, ensuring that you receive the appropriate level of protection tailored to your home. By leveraging our extensive network of providers, we aim to secure coverage that fits your requirements effectively at the best value.

Types of Home Insurance

Building Insurance

When arranging a mortgage, having building insurance is a compulsory requirement set by all lenders, whether you're buying a new property or remortgaging an existing one. Both homeowners and landlords require this type of insurance.

For leasehold properties, this coverage might be included in your regular maintenance fees, either monthly or annually. However, if you're acquiring a freehold property, it's typically your responsibility to secure building insurance, which must be in place by the time contracts are exchanged.

Building insurance offers protection for your home's physical structure and its fixtures, including the roof, walls, and fitted kitchens and bathrooms. This coverage also extends to outbuildings such as garages and sheds, along with any drains and pipes you are responsible for.

Building insurance provides the necessary financial assistance to rebuild or repair your home if it's damaged by events like:

  • Fires;
  • Storms;
  • Theft and attempted theft;
  • Vandalism;
  • Subsidence;
  • Or impacts from moving objects like vehicles, falling trees, or lamp posts.

Contents Insurance

In addition to building insurance, it is important to have coverage for the contents of your home. While not mandatory, contents insurance provides homeowners with essential protection for their possessions against theft or damage.

Contents Insurance safeguards the possessions within your home from damage or theft, typically covering furniture, appliances, clothing, and carpets. It also extends protection to high-value items like jewellery, costly electronics, and antiques or collectibles. Anyone looking to protect their personal belongings should consider this form of coverage.

 

House & Contents Insurance

Opting for a single policy from one insurer that includes both buildings and contents insurance can simplify the claims process. Additionally, a combined insurance policy can prove to be better value compared to purchasing separate policies.

It's important to talk to an experienced broker to understand whether single or combined insurance cover will work best for your circumstances.

Feeling inspired?

Looking for home insurance options designed for your specific needs?

Whether you’re looking to get the ball rolling on a mortgage application or you’re just after some friendly advice, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 02394 212912 or request a call-back.

Home Insurance for clients' specific needs

Having both buildings and contents insurance can assist with the expenses of repairing or rebuilding your home following an insured event. It also provides coverage for replacing stolen belongings or repairing items that are damaged.

Clients with specific circumstances may require specialist home insurance policies:

Residential Home Owners

As a homeowner, you are responsible for insuring both the structure of your house and the possessions within it.

If you have a mortgage, your lender may require you to maintain buildings insurance for the duration of the mortgage.

You have the flexibility to purchase buildings insurance from any provider, not just the one linked to your mortgage.

If you own a second home, it's advisable to secure insurance for that property as well, which may require a more specialist policy depending on how the house is utilised.

 

Holiday Home Owners

Holiday home insurance is designed to cover properties you don't consider your primary residence, but instead use for family breaks, renting out to guests, or both.

Owning a property of this type with an appropriate mortgage means you will need to have buildings insurance in place, like with a property that you live in.  Although it's not a legal requirement, having this type of insurance provides peace of mind even if you don’t have a mortgage. Standard home insurance policies generally don't cover properties used as holiday homes, making it advisable to consider holiday home insurance for added protection that is more likely to pay out in the event of a claim.

 

Listed Building Insurance

Living in a building of significant historical or architectural value can result in expensive repairs, as the listing—be it Grade I, Grade II, or Grade III —reflects its historical and cultural importance. Maintaining such listed buildings often demands unique materials and the expertise of specialized tradespeople to preserve their integrity.

For these homes, specific types of insurance coverage are available. A listed buildings insurance policy should provide the appropriate level of protection.

 

High Net Worth Home Insurance

Properties classified as high value, for building insurance purposes, typically require over £500,000 for reconstruction, although this threshold can differ by insurer.

Items considered high-value contents include pieces such as fine art, select antiques, engagement rings, and jewellery. Standard contents insurance often imposes a single-item cap, generally set at £1,000, which might not cover the full value if, for instance, a precious painting is stolen. Opting for a high-value home insurance policy ensures this additional worth is protected, offering you enhanced security.

 

Non-Standard Construction Building Insurance

Insurance cover is available for homes that don't meet typical standards, such as a self-build, a country cottage with a thatched roof or a contemporary house with a concrete frame.

 

Unoccupied Home Insurance

Standard home insurance policies generally discourage properties from being unoccupied for over 30 days due to heightened risks of vandalism and frozen pipes, for example. Unoccupied home insurance, also called empty home insurance, extends coverage for longer periods.

This type of policy typically protects against damages from fire, flooding, and theft. You can select the duration of coverage, which can range from 2 months to a full year.

 

Landlords

Property owners who rent out their buildings must ensure they are adequately insured. For those renting out furnished properties, a landlord policy can also safeguard personal belongings against damage or theft.

 

Renters

When renting a home, it's the landlord's duty to insure the building, though they aren't legally obligated to do so (it's wise to confirm their insurance coverage before moving in). Additionally, consider securing your personal items with rental contents insurance as you won't be covered by a landlord's policy.

 

Students

Students in halls or shared accommodation may want to consider insuring personal belongings such as laptops and gadgets. Whilst personal items might be covered under a parent's home insurance, it's important check existing policy coverage and review any restrictions or limits.

What affects the cost of Home and Contents Insurance?

Typically, higher risks of damage or loss to your home result in increased premiums. Several factors influence these risks and the associated costs, such as:

  • Size of the Property: Larger homes generally incur higher rebuilding costs than smaller ones.
  • Location: Insurance costs can vary based on crime rates, neighbourhood wealth, and susceptibility to flooding.
  • Age of the Property: Older homes might have expensive-to-replace features or materials and outdated plumbing or electrical systems.
  • Security Measures: Installing burglar alarms, quality locks, and smoke detectors can reduce perceived risk by insurers.
  • Construction Materials and Roof: Homes built with uncommon materials or those listed as historical may be pricier to insure. Roof types like thatched or flat can also pose higher risks.
  • Value of Belongings: Covering higher-value items typically increases insurance costs.
  • Additional Policy Options: Coverage for accidental damage or home emergencies often requires additional payment, as they are not usually standard.
  • Claims Record: A history free of recent claims can qualify you for a no-claims discount.
What affects the cost of Home and Contents Insurance?

Consider avoiding comparison sites for home insurance

Price comparison platforms typically present only 'standard' insurance options, which may not fully consider your unique needs and circumstances.

Since these sites lack personalised advice, you might end up with unresolved queries or, even worse, find yourself underinsured or unable to claim due to overlooked fine print or legal details during the application process.

Choosing to arrange your home insurance with Cleerly's experts guarantees that the policy suits you and your specific situation.

Why choose Cleerly for your Home and Contents Insurance?

Cleerly's insurance experts ensure your policy is established at the right stage of the process. Your adviser will confirm that your property is insured for its full rebuild cost and will organise coverage for your home's contents, including valuables you carry with you like jewellery, laptops, artwork and mobile phones.

Choosing Cleerly for your home insurance provides several advantages:

  • Top-tier insurance coverage selected from the entire market;
  • Bespoke policies tailored to your unique circumstances;
  • Availability of specialist insurers for non-standard scenarios;
  • No paperwork or administrative hassle – our team handles everything for you.

 

Home Insurance FAQs

Most standard home insurance policies typically do not provide coverage for rising damp, as it is regarded as general wear and tear.

Yes, you have the option to adjust the amount of voluntary excess on your home insurance. Increasing this amount can lead to reduced premiums. However, be cautious not to set the voluntary excess too high, as you will need to cover it in addition to the compulsory excess when filing a claim. The compulsory excess is determined by your insurance provider and cannot be altered.

Many home insurance policies offer optional add-ons that you can incorporate into your coverage. Common add-ons include:

  • Accidental Damage: This covers unintended damage you might cause, such as breaking a window or spilling paint on a carpet.
  • Home Emergency Cover: Provides access to emergency assistance for issues like burst pipes or electrical faults at home. Discover more about home emergency cover benefits.
  • Personal Possessions Cover: Protects your belongings when you're away from home. Most policies include items like jewellery and mobile phones both in the UK and abroad.
  • Legal Expenses Cover: Assists with legal costs related to property disputes, defective goods or services, and employment claims. Many insurers also offer a 24-hour legal advice line for consultation.

These enhancements come with additional costs, so consider carefully if they would be advantageous for you. They might prove cost-effective and save you from potential inconveniences if the need arises.

When you apply for a home insurance policy, providers perform a soft credit check before giving you a quote. This process ensures the accuracy of details like your address and age. This soft check won't impact your credit score.

Buildings Insurance may sometimes cover garages and sheds; however, additional coverage might be required if they are not connected to your home.

Securing buildings insurance can be challenging if your home is located in a flood-prone area. However, the government’s Flood Re initiative might help. This program was established to help homeowners in high-risk flood zones obtain coverage at reasonable rates. You can also still receive a quote from Cleerly's selected insurers even if you reside in a flood-risk area.

You should discuss with Cleerly or inform your insurance provider if you work from home, as typical home insurance policies might not cover items used for 'business or professional use'. We can guide you on whether additional coverage is necessary. Should you have clients visiting or store business-related stock at home, it's likely you'll need separate business insurance.

While you can't transfer your policy, you might be able to continue with your current provider. You'll need to inform them about your new residence, which may lead to a premium adjustment. They will calculate your costs based on factors such as your new address, the type of property, its rebuild cost, and the value of your belongings. Moving home could also be an ideal time to explore more affordable coverage options.

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Our other protection products

There are a myriad of different options available so your policy can be tailored to your family’s needs.

Relevant life cover

Relevant Life Insurance functions much like personal life insurance, providing a lump sum payment if you pass away or receive a terminal illness diagnosis with a prognosis of 12 months or less.

Life insurance

Cleerly can help find the right life insurance solution for you so your loved ones have the protection they need.

Critical illness insurance

Critical illness insurance provides a lump sum payment if you're diagnosed with a severe illness or suffer an injury that prevents you from working - unlike life insurance which pays out only on death.

Income protection

Need to protect your income if you're unable to work? Our experts can guide you through a range of tailored solutions.

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