Home Insurance
Compare home insurance quotes from up to 50 providers
- Live prices online
- Suitable for all home types
- Buildings, contents or both
How comparing works
Quote Goat provides access to a quote tool that returns a range of quotes from leading providers in price order, so you can see how they compare with your current home insurance provider and switch if you choose to.Find home insurance in 3 steps
Complete the form
Provide a few brief details about you and your property.
Compare prices
View live prices from up to 50 insurance providers, listed in price order.
Purchase cover
Choose your preferred policy and buy online or by phone.
What is home insurance?
Home insurance financially protects the policyholder and consists of two main covers: buildings insurance and contents insurance. Buildings insurance covers costs relating to theft, damage or destruction of the building itself. Contents insurance covers loss, damage, theft or destruction of the policyholder's belongings.
Home insurance is not a legal requirement, but a mortgage provider will often insist on it. You can take out buildings insurance, contents insurance, or both, and if you are a homeowner who needs both it is often cheaper to arrange both through the same provider.
How much does home insurance cost?
There is no single price for home insurance. What you pay depends on the cover you choose, whether you need buildings insurance, contents insurance or both, and the details you give about yourself and your property.
Buildings insurance quotes are based on the cost to rebuild your home, not the property's market value. Contents insurance depends on the value of your belongings, so it helps to put a value on the items in each room and add them up to reach a total for your property. Your voluntary excess also affects the price: a higher excess often means a lower premium. Premiums typically go up after you make a claim, and you lose your no claims bonus.
Types of home insurance explained
Home insurance is made up of two main covers, which you can buy separately or together.
Buildings insurance
Covers the house itself, meaning the bricks and other materials of the building. The policy pays for the cost of repairing or rebuilding your home if it is damaged or destroyed. Quotes are based on the cost to rebuild your home, not the property's value.
Contents insurance
Covers your belongings inside the house, including clothes, electrical equipment, valuables, furniture and any other items you own. It can help to value your belongings room by room so you know the total value of goods in your property.
Tips for when you compare home insurance
How to keep home insurance quotes to a minimum without cutting the cover you need.
Do not cut your cover to lower the price
Home insurance is important, so reducing your cover to keep premiums low is not recommended.
Combine buildings and contents
If you are a homeowner and need both contents and buildings insurance, it is often cheaper to get both through the same provider.
Only claim when necessary
Premiums typically go up when you make a claim, and you also lose your no claims bonus.
Set a voluntary excess you can afford
The voluntary excess is the amount you pay towards any claim. A higher excess often means a lower premium, so pick a level you are comfortable with.
Give accurate information
Describe your property accurately, for example the locks on the house, and say if you use the property as a workplace. Inaccurate details can invalidate a claim.
Check what extra protection is included
Look at the additional protection on offer, such as accidental damage, legal expenses and home emergency cover. Some may be included automatically and some may cost extra.
What details do I need to get a quote?
Have these to hand before you start.
About you
A few brief details about yourself.
About your property
Details about the home you want to insure, including security such as the locks and whether you have a burglar alarm.
How the property is used
Whether you use the property as a workplace.
The cover you want
Buildings insurance, contents insurance or both, and the voluntary excess you are comfortable with.
What extra protection can I add to home insurance?
When comparing home insurance policies, look at the additional protection on offer. It may be included automatically or come at an additional cost.
- Accidental damage - covers accidents, for example knocking a TV off a ledge.
- Legal expenses - protects you against the cost of being sued and other legal costs.
- Home emergency - includes cover for heating, electrics and plumbing.
What should I do if my home needs urgent repairs?
Speak to your home insurance provider first. They may need you to use a selection of pre-approved tradespeople to fix the problem. You should also take reasonable steps to prevent any further damage once you notice the issue.
What can invalidate a home insurance claim?
There are several ways you could inadvertently invalidate a claim:
- Giving inaccurate information when you apply, for example about the locks on the house.
- Not using your burglar alarm when you have told your insurer you have one and received a lower premium because of it.
- Not telling your insurer that you use the property as a workplace.
- Leaving windows open when you are out or away from the property.
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Frequently asked questions
Is home insurance a legal requirement?
No. Home insurance is not a legal requirement in the UK, but if you have a mortgage your lender will often insist that you have it.
What is the difference between buildings and contents insurance?
Buildings insurance covers the structure of your home, meaning the bricks and other materials, and pays to repair or rebuild it if it is damaged or destroyed. Contents insurance covers your belongings inside the house, such as clothes, electrical equipment, valuables and furniture.
Is buildings insurance based on my home's value?
No. Buildings insurance quotes are based on the cost to rebuild your home, not the property's market value.
How do I work out how much contents cover I need?
Put a value on your belongings in each room of your house or flat, then add them together to reach the total value of goods in your property.
Is it cheaper to buy buildings and contents insurance together?
If you are a homeowner and need both covers, it is often cheaper to get both premiums through the same provider.
Does making a claim increase my home insurance premium?
Premiums typically go up when you make a claim, and you also lose your no claims bonus, so only claim when it is necessary.
What is a voluntary excess?
The voluntary excess is the amount you agree to pay towards any claim. A higher excess often means a lower premium, so choose a level you are comfortable paying.
How many providers does Quote Goat compare for home insurance?
Quote Goat provides access to a quote tool that returns live prices from up to 50 providers, listed in price order, for buildings insurance, contents insurance or both.
Written by Michael Foote, Insurance & Finance Expert
Founder of Quote Goat, with over 20 years' experience in finance and insurance. He has appeared on TV and in Forbes, The Telegraph and The Metro.
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Quote Goat provides access to a home insurance comparison service operated by Seopa Ltd. This page is general information, not advice. Always check the policy documents to make sure the cover meets your needs.