UK home insurance costs have risen as part of the broader insurance inflation of recent years, but competition in the market means significant savings are available to those who shop around. These tactics work for both buildings and contents insurance.
Shop Around Every Year
The same rule as car insurance applies — auto-renewing is usually expensive. Home insurance comparison is quick and the market is very competitive. Use comparison sites, check insurer direct deals (Aviva, Direct Line, LV= are not always on comparison sites), and consider specialist home insurers for unusual properties.
- Use Comparethemarket, MoneySupermarket, GoCompare, Confused.com
- Check Direct Line, Aviva, LV= directly
- Never auto-renew without checking the market first
- Consider brokers for unusual properties (listed buildings, thatched roofs)
- FCA pricing rules mean renewals cannot charge more than equivalent new-customer price
Get Buildings and Contents Right
One common overpayment mistake is over-insuring contents by guessing a figure rather than totalling what you actually own. Another is failing to take advantage of combined buildings + contents policies, which are usually cheaper than two separate policies. For renters, contents-only policies are significantly cheaper.
- Total your contents properly — over-insuring costs money
- Combined buildings+contents: usually cheaper than separate policies
- Renters: contents-only needed (landlord covers buildings)
- Don't insure items already covered by warranty or specific policies
- Use a contents valuation guide to estimate accurately
How much contents insurance do I need?
Add up the replacement cost of all your possessions — furniture, electronics, clothing, jewellery, kitchen items. The average UK household has around £35,000 of contents. Under-insuring risks your claim being proportionally reduced.
Security Discounts
Adding qualifying security measures can reduce premiums. Approved locks (British Standard 5-lever mortise), working burglar alarms, and smart home security systems all attract discounts from most insurers. Some smart alarm providers (SimpliSafe, Ring Alarm) partner with insurers to offer direct discounts.
- 5-lever mortise locks: insurance requirement and discount trigger
- Burglar alarm: typically 5-10% discount
- CCTV/video doorbell: discount from some insurers
- NSI/SSAIB-approved alarm installer recommended
- Deadlocks on patio/back doors: often required by policy anyway
Adjusting Excess and Policy Options
Raising your voluntary excess reduces your premium, just as with car insurance. Also check whether add-ons like accidental damage, home emergency cover, and legal cover are genuinely needed — they add £50-£150/year and may duplicate cover you already have (e.g. through a bank account or via another policy).
- Raising excess from £100 to £250 can save £30-£80/year
- Accidental damage cover: useful with young children, otherwise consider skipping
- Home emergency cover: check if included in boiler service contract first
- Legal cover: often included in bank account packaged products
- No-claims discount: keep it by not claiming for small incidents
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