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What is Home Insurance?

The simplest way to describe home insurance is that it is a type of property insurance that helps protect your home and belongings from damage or loss due to events like fire, theft, storms, and more.

Also referred to as homeonwers insurance, home insurance typically covers the structure of your home, personal possessions inside the home, and additional living expenses if you’re unable to live in your home due to a covered event. What’s more it can also provide liability coverage if someone is injured on your property.

Overall, home insurance can provide peace of mind knowing that you’re protected against unexpected events that could cause financial hardship.

Do I need Home Insurance?

The question is, could you afford to replace your home contents, or even rebuild your home out of your own pocket?

While it’s not compulsory or a legal requirement to have home insurance, having a policy can help protect your home and the things you've worked hard to build. With home insurance, you can rest assured knowing that if something unexpected happens, you have a policy protecting your valuable assets, including your largest investment.

Is building insurance the same as home insurance?

This is a common mistake some people make as whilst building insurance and home insurance are closely related, they do refer to slightly different aspects of property protection.

Building insurance specifically focuses on the physical structure of your home, while home insurance encompasses a broader range of coverage.

If you want to solely protect the physical elements of your property, such as the walls, roof, floors, and permanent fixtures like built-in cabinets, buildings insurance is what you need. Home insurance is a more comprehensive policy that combines building insurance with additional coverage. Additional coverage might include contents insurance, which could protect your household items and belongings.

One easy way to think about it is if you were to turn your home upside down – everything that falls out of it is likely to be covered by contents insurance, whereas the remaining build is your building insurance.

Ultimately, home insurance is an all-encompassing insurance policy, and building insurance is typically included within that as standard.

What are the benefits of using a home insurance broker?

You’ll be glad to know that using a home insurance broker has many benefits.

Firstly, thanks to the relationships brokers have with a range of home insurance providers, we can match you with the right insurance companies based on your coverage and budget needs.

What’s more, a home insurance broker also provides a personalised service that helps you understand the details of your policy and make sure that you have all the coverage you need, so that you’re not over- or under-insured.

They’re experienced in dealing with insurance companies and can negotiate better rates for you than if you were to go directly to an insurer. Add in the fact that brokers have access to discounts from various insurers, there’s every possibility you could end up with a lower insurance premium.

What’s more, when you use a broker like Howden and need to make a claim, we’re by your side every step of the way so that you don’t have to go it alone.

Different types of Howden Home Insurance

As an insurance broker, we recognise how important it is for our clients that they can be afforded as much flexibility as possible when it comes to getting a home insurance policy.

The different types of home insurance we have available include:

Contents Insurance

Contents insurance protects the belongings in your home, whether it’s high value items such as jewellery, or everyday home appliances and furniture.

Home contents insurance is certainly the policy to go for if you’re looking to protect anything which could be stolen from your home. If your items are particularly high value, we can advise on individual item cover as well, all under one roof.

Buildings insurance

It’s highly recommended that homeowners and landlords have buildings insurance to avoid being left out of pocket should your home be damaged, whether by flood, fire, or something else entirely.

Home buildings insurance focuses more on financially supporting you if the structure of your home needs repairing. This means that any damage done to your roof, and resulting leaks, would be covered, as well as permanent fixtures within the building such as units or windows.

Remember that both buildings insurance and contents cover can be bought separately or together under a standard home insurance combined policy.

What does Home Insurance cover?

What’s included in your cover depends on the type of home insurance cover you take out and any optional extras. But what can you expect your home insurance policy to include as standard?

• Burst pipes
• Subsidence
• Damage against severe weather and fires
• Theft and vandalism

Just be aware that each insurer is different, so checking the policy details is crucial. We're here to help with that.

What isn’t covered?

Whilst insurance providers try to offer the most comprehensive policies available, you should still anticipate that some aspects aren’t always necessarily covered when you buy home insurance. These include:

• Infestations from pests
• Fence damage caused by storms
• General wear and tear
• Damage caused by negligence
• Routine maintenance

Be sure to check the terms and conditions of your home insurance policy before you buy, to ensure you have full clarity over what your home is and isn’t covered for.  

Improve your home cover with optional add-ons

So, we’ve covered what you can expect to be included and excluded from a home insurance policy, but that doesn’t have to be the be all and end all. No home nor homeowner is the same, and we and our insurers understand that individual requirements need catering for. The optional home cover add-ons we offer provides that extra flexibility where you need it the most:

• Legal expenses cover – Sometimes included as standard, this optional extra would cover you in the event of having to pay legal costs.
• Accidental damage cover – Accidents happen, so it’s only fair that you feel protected when the unforeseeable occurs.
• Personal belongings cover – Contents insurance may some items as standard, however personal belongings cover protects items you carry outside of the home, in case they get lost or stolen.!
• Home emergency cover – An emergency, such as a boiler breaking, could put your property or family’s health at risk, so it’s important you have adequate protection with access to the professionals when you need it.
• Host insurance - If you’re letting out your property, a host insurance add on - also known as holiday home insurance - can cover you in ways a standard home insurance policy can’t.

How can I get cheaper Home Insurance?

Everyone wants to save some money and get the best home insurance deal for them. We can help as much as possible to keep how much your home insurance costs down – but what can you do?

• Pay in one lump sum, not in instalments - If you can, try to avoid paying in monthly instalments to avoid being charged any added interest fees. Paying the home insurance premium up front could mean you pay less.
• Weigh up your options - Shopping around and comparing prices from different insurers might make all the difference, helping you to potentially access the best value price on the market. Talking to an insurance broker such as Howden will help to make that comparison process simpler and less stressful.
• The fewer claims you make, the better - Depending on the insurer, if you can avoid making a claim, you could be rewarded with a no-claims discount on your next premium. Be aware though that not all insurers offer this.
• Increase your home safety and security - Ramping up the security features in your home, such as installing a smoke alarm or adding additional locks to windows and doors could convince an insurer that you are less of a risk.

What factors affect the cost of Home Insurance?

We think it’s important that we lift the lid on how insurers calculate home insurance premiums, so you have a little bit more clarity. So, here’s several factors insurers consider in order to weigh up how likely you’re to make a claim:

• The size of the property
• Your claims history
• How old the property is
• Your personal possessions value
• Where the property is located   
• The property’s security features
• The building materials the property is built from
• Roof type

What you’ll need to get a Home Insurance quote

You help us, and we’ll help you! So that we can piece together the perfect policy for you, we need you to provide us with some initial information. This includes:

Details about your home

We need to know the postcode, whether you live there all the time, and whether you own the property.

Your personal details

The usual stuff such as your date of birth, your name and whether you’ve made a claim in the last 5 years.

Information about your policy

Tell us what add-ons you are considering including (or would like to ask us about), and how much excess you’re willing to pay.

Details about your possessions

Outline what ‘valuables’ you have, whether it be collections or items of jewellery.

Who we work with

The fantastic relationships we at Howden have with a variety of trusted home insurance providers allows us to offer a service which supports each and every one of our clients sufficiently.

Our team has years of experience working in the industry, which is why we have been rated so highly by our clients. 

Claims

We’re here to assist you when it matters most.

Whatever’s happened to you or your home, we’re here to help. It’s part of our service to make sure that your claim is dealt with as quickly as possible and without any hassle.

MAKE A CLAIM

Can I cancel my Home Insurance?

Yes, you can cancel your home insurance policy whenever is most convenient for you. However, it’s important to understand the implications of cancelling your policy. Depending on when you cancel and the terms of your policy, you may incur cancellation fees or be unable to receive a refund for unused premiums.

If you are considering cancelling, the best option is to give your local branch a call in the first instance, and they will also check whether you will incur any fees should you decide to go ahead.

How can I benefit from specialist Home Insurance?

Specialist cover is ideal for those who own a non-standard property or alternative accommodation. As a specialist broker, we know we can't always rely on the same provider to provide cover for a wide range of clients, so we broaden our horizons and speak to variety of insurers who can offer the right over for your unique case.

Once we figure out your individual needs, we then look into finding the right cover to cater to any unique circumstances or potential risks associated with your property.

How soon can you claim on Home Insurance?

It's important to contact your insurance company as soon as possible after an incident occurs that may require a claim. This will ensure that you’re able to get the support you need and start the process of repairing any damage done to your home.

Once you have contacted your insurance company, they will send out an adjuster who will evaluate the damage and determine what kind of settlement amount should be paid out.

Does Home Insurance cover roof leaks?

The good news is that in most cases, your home insurance policy will cover roof leaks and other damage to your roof.

It's important to note that the cause of the damage must be sudden and accidental for it to be covered by your policy. This means that if the leak was caused by general wear and tear, rot, or animal damage, it won't be covered. However, if it was caused by a storm or fallen tree, then you should be able to get coverage for any repairs needed.

If you're ever unsure about whether a particular type of damage is covered under your policy, don't hesitate to reach out to your insurance provider for clarification.

Does Home Insurance cover mobile phones?

Yes, most standard home contents insurance policies will cover your mobile phone when it's in your home, just like other personal belongings or valuables.

For example, if your phone is stolen during a house break-in, you’d be covered for the cost of replacing it. Similarly, if your phone is damaged in a fire, flood or other insured event, you would be able to claim for the cost of repair or replacement.

It’s also worth pointing out that your home insurance will only cover your phone when it is in your home, not when you are out and about.

Do I need legal cover on Home Insurance?

Home insurance typically includes liability coverage which can help protect you in the event of a lawsuit or other legal issue.

Legal expenses cover is often included in standard home insurance policies, but it may also be available as an optional extra. This type of cover can provide financial protection if you require professional legal assistance for a dispute related to your home, employment, or other matters. It can also help with tenancy agreement disputes if you are renting your home.

Does Home Insurance cover cracked render?

Cracked render is a common problem for homeowners, but the good news is that most home insurance policies will cover the cost of repairing it. It is important to check with your insurer to make sure that you’re covered, as some policies may exclude certain types of damage or repairs.

It's important to assess the severity of any cracks before contacting your insurer, as this will help determine whether they can provide coverage.

Does Home Insurance cover damp?

Unfortunately, most home insurance policies don’t cover damage caused by damp and condensation. Damp is usually considered a maintenance issue, which results from inadequate protection or care of the property. To prevent damp, it’s important to ensure that the property has adequate ventilation and damp-proofing measures in place.

Ultimately, if you’re unsure whether your home insurance policy covers damp, it’s best to check with your provider. It’s also worth considering taking out separate coverage for growing damp, although this may come at an additional cost.

Are blocked drains covered by Home Insurance?

No, homeowners insurance generally doesn’t cover maintenance issues like clogged pipes. However, you may be able to add water backup coverage to your policy that will provide protection for blocked drains. This coverage typically covers damage caused by water backing up from a sewer or drain. You can check with your home insurance provider to see what type of coverage is available and if it’s right for you.

Does Home Insurance cover pest control?

Pest control is not typically covered under home insurance policies as it’s generally considered a result of poor maintenance and upkeep. Damage could be caused by the likes of vermin, such as mice and rats. However, if termites cause damage to your home that is not related to poor maintenance, you may be able to file a claim with your insurer.

This is why it's important to read the fine print of your policy carefully, so you know what type of damage is covered and what isn't.

Does Home Insurance cover carpets?

When it comes to home insurance, many people are unsure if their carpets are covered. The answer is yes, most home insurance policies will cover carpets if they’re damaged by a covered peril such as an accidental overflow of water or other incident.

If you're concerned about protecting your carpets from damage or need help understanding what is and isn't covered under your policy, it's best to speak with your insurer directly. They can provide more information on what types of incidents are covered and how much you can expect to receive in the event of a claim.