A beginner’s guide to home insurance

It’s natural to want to insure your property. After all, it’s more than just bricks and mortar; it’s also your home.

When you buy a house, buildings cover is typically one of the conditions of the mortgage. But a surprising amount of people don’t take out contents insurance at the same time, leaving a big hole in their future financial security.

The key differences between buildings and contents

The main thing a buildings policy covers is the physical property itself, as well as all the permanent fixtures such as fitted kitchens. You can also include cover for outbuildings such as greenhouses, garages and sheds. Typically a buildings policy will cover damage caused by flood, fire, subsidence, theft, storms or malicious damage.

Contents insurance is the sister product and is often taken up alongside buildings cover. This protects against damage and loss of valuable possessions. Roughly speaking, these are the items you would take with you if you moved, such as furniture, goods, equipment, electrical items, and personal expensive items.

It’s easy to underestimate the value of your contents

Your house may be the most expensive purchase you ever make, which makes it easy to assume that it is the only thing worth protecting. But it is common to underestimate how much you have accumulated in your home. Without contents insurance, you might find out exactly how much when it is already too late.

Some people categorised by providers as high net worth, might not necessarily label themselves as such. But when we sit down and work through exactly what you have to protect, we find people are often surprised. Whether you have fine art, large luxury goods, or small but equally expensive items such as jewellery, we will be able to find a policy that works for you.

Working with landlords

There are plenty of options for landlords when it comes to home insurance. Whether you are just looking for buildings cover or wish to ensure the contents of your property are protected as well, we will be able to help you find the right cover. As well as accidental damage cover and legal expenses, landlords also have the option of rent protection and emergency cover.

Staying flexible

No matter your circumstances, our providers have a range of building and contents products that can be tailored to work for you. You can choose to add options such as alternative accommodation, accidental damage, personal possessions cover, home emergency cover, or legal expenses cover.

How House and Holiday Home Mortgages can help you

Our expert advisers can work with you on choosing the right extras and features that fit not just your circumstances, but your budget as well. We’ll ensure you only pay for the cover you need and nothing more! Contact us today by calling us on 01453 887179 or sending us an email at hello@hhhmortgages.com and we will assign you the right mortgage adviser for your case.