There are three main types of home insurance – buildings, contents, and buildings and contents combined.

If you live in a rented house or flat you don’t need to worry about buildings insurance, it is your landlord’s job to sort that out (you might want to make sure they have!). Contents insurance, however, is your responsibility. Owner occupiers are likely to need both buildings and contents insurance. Click on the link to jump to the section on making sure you’re getting the right level of cover.

You can judge a policy by the amount it pays out for the core features of buildings and contents cover, how quickly companies pay out, how easy the claims process is and how much cover you’re getting for things like valuables, accidental damage or bike cover.

The best home insurance policies also include alternative accommodation for you and the inhabitants of your home if it needs to be rebuilt. But it can vary widely from company to company.

Some of the best Insurance Companies based on the quality of cover and independent reviews are –
 

 

Hiscox and John Lewis’s Premier policy offer cover for personal possessions, which includes items such as mobile phones and jewellery, away from your home. Other policies, such as M&S’s, offer it as an optional extra.
Bikes are often treated as a separate entity in relation to home insurance. In fact, we have looked at the best home insurance for pedal bikes separately because there can be a lot to consider if protecting your bike is a high priority.

Comprehensive policies will also provide some level of accidental damage cover for anything you might break or damage in your home. Cover levels vary but the very best policies have no limit on claims.

Other than policy features some companies aim to attract customers with special offers such as cashback, vouchers and discounts. While it’s not a good idea to choose a policy based on this alone if you’re torn between two insurers with similar, quality products it can help tip the scales.

 

At the moment John Lewis is giving new home insurance customers a £40 John Lewis voucher if they take a Premier or Specialist policy before the end of March. New Plus customers will receive a £25 voucher.
M&S is offering a £40 Marks & Spencer food voucher for new customers who join before April 13.
It is important to know exactly what is and isn’t covered by your policy and to make sure you choose the most suitable cover for your home. That might not be the most expensive but it doesn’t mean you should go straight for the cheapest.