The average UK combined buildings and contents policy cost £383 a year in the second quarter of 2026, down 2% on a year earlier (ABI, 3 August 2026). Buildings-only cover averaged £309 and contents-only £118. The average home claim passed £7,000 for the first time, with subsidence claims averaging a record £20,000.
KEY FACTS
- Average combined premium £383 (Q2 2026), buildings only £309, contents only £118: ABI.
- Home insurers paid £846 million in property claims in Q1 2026; the average claim was £6,340 and passed £7,000 in Q2.
- Average theft claim a record £5,100 in Q2 2026, up 27% year on year.
- Buildings cover is not required by law, but almost every mortgage lender makes it a condition of the loan.
- Insure for the rebuild cost, not the market value. Under-insurance lets an insurer scale down a payout.
- An insurer has 8 weeks to give a final answer to a complaint before it can go to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which is free to use.
- Flood Re, the joint industry and government scheme, keeps flood cover available for eligible homes and is due to run until 2039.
What this hub covers
Home insurance in the UK is two separate products that are often sold together. Buildings insurance covers the structure, the fixtures and the permanent fittings against events such as fire, storm, flood, escape of water and subsidence. Contents insurance covers the possessions inside the home, usually with single-item limits for valuables and optional accidental damage. The guides in this hub explain what each policy includes and excludes, how insurers price risk, how to work out a rebuild figure, and what the Financial Conduct Authority rules on claims handling mean in practice.
A second group of guides covers the add-on market: boiler and central heating cover, home emergency plans, plumbing and drainage cover, and appliance protection for washing machines, fridges, ovens and dishwashers. These products are sold by energy suppliers, specialist firms and retailers as well as insurers, and the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and manufacturer guarantees already give households some of the protection they pay for. Each guide sets out what the plan covers, what it costs, and when the statutory rights make it unnecessary.
The insurer reviews use Financial Conduct Authority complaints data and Financial Ombudsman Service uphold rates rather than star ratings, and the claims guides follow the FCA ICOBS 8 rules on prompt and fair settlement. Kael Tripton does not sell quotes, take commission or route leads: every guide is written from primary sources and commercial placements, where they appear, are labelled.
Start here: guides by need
Cover basics
Claims and complaints
Weather, flood and subsidence
Boiler and home emergency
Appliances and warranties
Insurer reviews
Landlords, tenants and second homes
All guides in this hub
119 guides, newest first.
| UK Appliance Protection: Your Rights, Guarantees and Warranties |
| Storm and heat damage: what home insurance covers when the weather turns |
| Subsidence Payouts Hit Record £20,000 in UK Heatwave |
| Home Insurance and Subsidence: Signs, Cover and Claims |
| Home Insurance and Storm or Flood Damage: What Is Covered |
| Carbon Monoxide Alarm Rules UK: What Landlords Must Provide and Tenants Can Demand |
| What Is Tenant Liability Insurance and Do You Need It? |
| Is Contents Insurance Worth It? How to Decide Honestly |
| Aviva Launches Home Insurance App on ChatGPT |
| Does Home Insurance Cover Mobile Phones? |
| Heatwave 999 Calls: Which Ambulance Categories Run Highest |
| Central Heating Cover UK: What It Includes, What It Costs and How It Differs From Boiler-Only Cover |
| What Does "Insurer in Default" Mean in the UK? |
| Compulsory vs Non-Compulsory Insurance: The 90% and 100% Protection Rule Explained |
| What Happens If Your Insurer Goes Bust in the UK? |
| Tumble Dryer Running Cost UK: How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dryer in 2026? |
| Fridge Temperature UK: Correct Settings for Food Safety and Energy Efficiency |
| Oven Temperature Conversion UK: Gas Mark, Fan Oven and Celsius Guide |
| Before You Buy Zurich Private Clients Home Insurance: What the Data Actually Shows |
| Before You Buy Hiscox Home Insurance: What the Data Actually Shows |
| Before You Buy Tesco Home Insurance: What the Data Actually Shows |
| Before You Buy John Lewis Home Insurance: What the Data Actually Shows |
| Before You Buy Policy Expert Home Insurance: What the Data Actually Shows |
| Before You Buy NFU Mutual Home Insurance: What the Data Actually Shows |
| Before You Buy AXA Home Insurance: What the Data Actually Shows |
| Before You Buy Churchill Home Insurance: What the Data Actually Shows |
| Before You Buy LV= Home Insurance: What the Data Actually Shows |
| Before You Buy Admiral Home Insurance: What the Data Actually Shows |
| Before You Buy Direct Line Home Insurance: What the Data Actually Shows |
| Before You Buy Aviva Home Insurance: What the Data Actually Shows |
| Swimming Pool Insurance UK: What Your Home Policy Does Not Cover |
| Contents Insurance for Renters UK 2026: What It Covers and What to Check |
| Cheap Home Insurance UK: Average Costs and How to Save in 2026 |
| Appliance Repair Services UK 2026: How to Choose a Trusted Provider |
| Chauffeur Insurance UK: Cover for Luxury and Executive Private Hire |
| Gym Insurance UK: What Fitness Studios and Personal Trainers Need |
| Business Van Insurance UK: Cover for Commercial Vans and Light Commercial Vehicles |
| Unoccupied Home Insurance UK: Cover for Empty Residential Properties |
| Landlord Liability Insurance UK: Property Owners Liability Cover Explained |
| Wedding Insurance UK: What It Covers and When to Buy It |
| Personal Accident Insurance UK: Lump Sum Cover for Accidental Injury |
| Nurse Insurance UK: Professional Indemnity for Nurses and Healthcare Workers |
| Courier Insurance UK: Cover for Parcel and Package Delivery Drivers |
| Airbnb Host Insurance UK: Cover Beyond Airbnb Host Guarantee |
| Holiday Let Insurance UK: Cover for Short-Term Rental Properties |
| Subsidence Insurance UK: Cover for Ground Movement and Structural Damage |
| Self Build Insurance UK: Cover for Building Your Own Home |
| Small Animal Insurance UK: Cover for Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, and Ferrets |
| Reptile Insurance UK: Cover for Bearded Dragons, Snakes, and Lizards |
| Rabbit Insurance UK: Vet Fee Cover for Pet Rabbits |
| Horse and Equine Insurance UK: Cover for Horses, Ponies, and Equine Activities |
| Exotic Pet Insurance UK: Cover for Parrots, Tortoises, and Non-Standard Pets |
| Care Home Insurance UK: What Residential and Nursing Homes Need |
| Travel Insurance With Medical Conditions UK: Declaring Conditions and Finding Cover |
| Annual Travel Insurance UK: Multi-Trip Cover for Frequent Travellers |
| Travel Insurance UK: What It Covers and How to Choose the Right Policy |
| Dental Insurance UK: What It Covers and How It Compares to NHS Dentistry |
| Boiler Cover UK: What It Includes and Whether You Need It in 2026 |
| Breakdown Cover UK: What It Includes and How to Choose the Right Policy |
| Ride Sharing Insurance UK: What Cover Uber and Bolt Drivers Need |
| Taxi Insurance UK: Cover for Licensed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles |
| Caravan Insurance UK: Cover for Touring and Static Caravans in 2026 |
| Sports Equipment Insurance UK: Cover for Golf, Ski, and Specialist Kit |
| Bicycle Insurance UK: Cover for Theft, Damage, and Cycling Liability |
| Product Liability Insurance UK: What It Covers and Who Needs It |
| Window Cleaner Insurance UK: What Cover Window Cleaners Need in 2026 |
| Landscape Gardener Insurance UK: What Cover Landscapers Need in 2026 |
| Bricklayer Insurance UK: What Cover Bricklayers Need in 2026 |
| Joiner Insurance UK: What Cover Joiners and Carpenters Need in 2026 |
| Warehouse Insurance UK: Cover for Storage and Distribution Businesses |
| Office Insurance UK: What Cover Businesses in Office Premises Need |
| Commercial Landlord Insurance UK: Cover for Non-Residential Property Owners |
| Van Insurance for Couriers UK: Hire and Reward Cover for Delivery Drivers |
| Black Box Insurance UK: How Telematics Car Insurance Works in 2026 |
| Learner Driver Insurance UK: Cover for L-Plates on Your Own or a Private Car |
| Roofer Insurance UK: What Cover Roofing Contractors Need in 2026 |
| Plasterer Insurance UK: What Cover Plasterers Need in 2026 |
| Electrician Insurance UK: What Cover Electricians Need in 2026 |
| Plumbers Insurance UK: What Cover Plumbers and Heating Engineers Need |
| Scaffolding Insurance UK: What Cover Scaffolders Need in 2026 |
| Food Delivery Insurance UK: Cover for Deliveroo, UberEats and Just Eat Drivers |
| Hire and Reward Insurance UK: What Delivery Drivers and Couriers Need |
| Convicted Driver Insurance UK: Car Cover With a Criminal Conviction |
| Impound Insurance UK: How to Release an Impounded Vehicle |
| Contractors All Risk Insurance UK: What It Is and What It Covers |
| Hired-In Plant Insurance UK: What It Covers and How Much It Costs |
| Is Domestic and General worth it? An honest 2026 assessment |
| Domestic and General vs British Gas HomeCare 2026: which is better? |
| Domestic and General home emergency cover review 2026 |
| Domestic and General boiler cover review 2026: plans, costs and verdict |
| Domestic and General appliance cover review 2026: what it covers and what it does not |
| Domestic and General review 2026: appliance cover, boiler plans and home emergency |
| Admiral insurance review 2026: car, home, travel, pet and van |
| Home Insurance Complaints Data UK 2026: FCA Firm-Level Analysis |
| Second Home Insurance UK 2026 - Protecting a Holiday Property or Investment |
| Santander Home Insurance Review 2026: Bank-Bundled Cover vs Open Market |
| Post Office Home Insurance Review 2026: Who Underwrites It and Is It Worth It? |
| MBNA Home Insurance Review 2026: Product Status and What Customers Need to Know |
| Home Insurance Costs UK 2026: Insurers Ranked on FCA Claims Data |
| Homeprotect Insurance Review 2026: Specialist Cover for Non-Standard Properties |
| Home Insurance Northern Ireland 2026 - Buildings and Contents Cover Guide |
| How to Make a Home Insurance Claim UK 2026 - Process, Timelines and Rights |
| Hastings Direct Home Insurance Review 2026: Cover Limits and 191,000 Reviews Analysed |
| Unoccupied Property Insurance UK 2026 - Cover for Empty Homes Explained |
| Renters Insurance UK 2026 - Contents Cover for Tenants Explained |
| New Build Home Insurance UK 2026 - What Buyers Need to Know |
| Listed Building Insurance UK 2026 - Specialist Cover for Historic Properties |
| High-Value Home Insurance UK 2026 - Cover for Properties Over £1 Million |
| Accidental Damage Home Insurance UK 2026 - Is the Add-On Worth Paying For? |
| Lloyds Bank Home Insurance Review 2026: Is the Mortgage Bundle Worth It? |
| John Lewis Home Insurance Review 2026: Partnership Cover and Underwriter Examined |
| Halifax Home Insurance Review 2026: Bank-Tied Cover vs Open Market Compared |
| Tesco Home Insurance Review 2026 - Clubcard Savings and Cover Examined |
| Policy Expert Home Insurance Review 2026: Trustpilot 4.7, Cover Limits and Claims |
| Sainsbury's Home Insurance Review 2026: Nectar Points Value and Cover Assessed |
| Direct Line Home Insurance Review 2026: Not on PCWs, Cover Limits and Claims |
| Aviva Home Insurance Review 2026: Cover Limits, Match Promise and Claims Data |
| Admiral home insurance review 2026 |
| UK Home Insurance Statistics 2026 |
Kael Tripton — Independent
Home Insurance & Cover Guides
Independent guides to home insurance, appliance cover, boiler protection, plumbing and drainage, and home maintenance costs. Primary-source verified. No quotes, no calls, no commission.
Sources: ABI · FCA · Which? · GOV.UK · Ofgem
Editor's Note
This section covers everything related to protecting and maintaining the home: buildings and contents insurance, appliance and white goods cover, boiler and central heating protection, plumbing and drainage insurance, and the real cost of home repairs. All guides are sourced from ABI, FCA, and GOV.UK. No affiliate links, no commission, no lead routing.