Buildings Insurance (UK)

Arranging buildings insurance can be daunting, but it is crucial to ensure that you have adequate cover in place for your home or property. Buildings insurance is a type of policy that protects the structure and fabric of your building if something happens, such as fire, subsidence, flooding or theft.

At Echo Finance, we work with the entire UK insurance market to find the right policy for you. We understand that one size does not fit all when it comes to buildings insurance, so we can tailor a policy to your specific needs. Our team of experts can help you to decide exactly how much cover is necessary for your property and provide advice on the type of policy that’s best suited for you.

We’ll also take care of all the paperwork associated with setting up a buildings insurance policy, so you can be sure that everything is taken care of quickly and efficiently. We are here to make the process simple and hassle-free, ensuring that you have peace of mind knowing that your property is adequately protected.

If you would like more information or need help arranging buildings insurance, our friendly team are always on hand to answer any questions or queries you may have. Get in touch by calling us on 0800 093 4914 or complete our quick online form for a callback.

What is buildings insurance?

Buildings insurance is a type of home insurance that covers the physical structure of your property, as well as any permanent fixtures and fittings, such as your windows and doors. This type of insurance also typically covers any outbuildings, such as garages and sheds.

It is designed to protect your home or property from damage caused by events such as fire, storms, theft and subsidence, to the cost of rebuilding or repairing your property. Buildings insurance can also protect you from other costs associated with rebuilding, such as professional fees and debris removal.

Buildings insurance policies do not usually cover the contents of your home, such as furniture and electronics. For this type of cover, you’ll need to take out a separate Contents Insurance policy.

How does buildings insurance work?

You'll provide information about your home or property, such as its size, age and location. Your insurer will then use this information to calculate an appropriate premium for you.

Buildings insurance works by covering the cost of repairs or rebuilding your property in the event that it is damaged due to a listed risk, such as fire or theft. The insurer will assess the claim and then pay out an agreed sum in order to cover the costs associated with repairing or rebuilding your property.

Having adequate buildings insurance in place can give you peace of mind knowing that your home or property is adequately protected from potential harm. It can help to safeguard your finances and provide you with financial security should something happen.

Do I need buildings insurance?

Although it's not a legal requirement to have buildings insurance cover in place, if you have a mortgage, your mortgage provider will require you to have a buildings insurance policy for the duration of the mortgage. This is because your mortgage provider has an interest in the property and so will want to make sure that it is covered for any potential damage.

If you rent a property, then it is usually the landlord’s responsibility to arrange buildings insurance. However, it is always worth checking with your landlord to make sure that this is the case.

No matter what type of property you own – including flats and houses – buildings insurance can be invaluable when it comes to protecting yourself against potential losses caused by damaging events. It’s also important to remember that if something unexpected were to happen to your home or property, such as fire or flooding, it can cost thousands of pounds in repairs and rebuilding costs – far more than most people would be able to afford without having buildings insurance in place.

For this reason, even if you don't legally need buildings insurance, we highly recommend that all homeowners consider taking out an appropriate buildings insurance policy so they are adequately protected should something happen. It’s always better to be safe than sorry! If you need help choosing the right type of home insurance for your home or property, our team of experts can help. Get in touch today for more information or to arrange a policy. We look forward to hearing from you!

What does buildings insurance cover?

Buildings insurance covers the repair and rebuild cost of your property in the event that something happens to it, such as a fire. It also covers any costs associated with this, such as debris removal and professional fees.

Building insurance policies typically cover damage caused by events such as:

• Fire, explosions, floods, storms & earthquakes
• Theft, attempted theft & vandalism
• Burst pipes, frozen pipes & subsidence
• Vehicle or aircraft collisions
• Fallen trees, lampposts & aerials

It is important to check your policy documents carefully to make sure you are aware of what is covered and excluded from your buildings insurance policy. Additionally, some insurers may offer additional cover including accidental damage and alternative accommodation should you need to leave your home while repairs are taking place.

It is important to remember that buildings insurance and contents insurance are two separate policies. Buildings insurance covers the structure of your home or property, not the contents. If you're looking for comprehensive protection then it's worth considering taking out a combined buildings and contents insurance policy, which will provide both buildings and contents cover. Our team of experts can help you find the right home insurance policy to suit your needs – get in touch today!

Do you need extra buildings insurance?

It may be worth considering extra buildings insurance coverage in addition to your standard policy to cover any additional risks or costs. This could include:

Accidental damage

Provides cover for damages caused by accidents, such as spilling a drink or knocking something over.

Alternative accommodation

If you need to leave your property while repairs are taking place, this can provide cover for the cost of alternative accommodation.

Legal expenses

Covers legal costs in the event of a dispute with your insurer or another party.

Flood or subsidence cover for high-risk areas

If you live in a high flood-risk area or area prone to subsidence, you may be able to purchase additional cover for these risks.

Liability cover

Provides cover for damage to property to someone else's property caused by you.

Damage to underground pipes and cables

Covers the cost to repair or replace any pipes or cables which are underground at your property.

It is important to remember that extra cover may cost more, so it is worth weighing up the potential risks against the additional costs before deciding whether or not to take out additional cover. Our team of experts are available to help you make an informed decision about what type of buildings insurance policy would be best for your needs.

How much buildings insurance cover do you need?

When deciding on the appropriate level of cover for your property or home, it is important to consider the rebuild cost of your property. This is the amount it would cost to replace your home in its entirety using similar materials and construction methods.

It is important to remember that the rebuild cost of your property can be higher than its market value, as this does not take into account the cost of rebuilding or repairing any damage caused by an insured event. The cost of rebuilding your property can be affected by several factors such as the size of your property, its age, the quality and type of materials used in its construction and any specialist building features.

It is also important to consider additional costs associated with rebuilding or repairing your home. These could include debris removal, professional fees and alternative accommodation if you need to leave your property while repairs are taking place.

Our team of experts can help you calculate the rebuild cost of your property and recommend an appropriate level of cover for your needs. Get in touch for more information.

How much does buildings cover cost?

The cost of buildings insurance can vary depending on the level and type of cover you require. The insurer will typically take into account several factors when calculating the cost of your policy, such as the age and condition of your property, its location and any additional risks or features associated with it.

Additionally, if you live in a high-risk area then this could affect the cost of your premiums. You may be able to reduce the cost of your premium by opting for a higher excess, installing security measures such as alarm systems or taking out other policies from the same provider, such as contents insurance.

Speak to an expert

We understand that finding affordable buildings insurance can be difficult so our team are here to help you find a policy which meets your needs at the most competitive price. Get in touch for more information.

We hope this guide has been helpful in answering your questions about buildings insurance and what type of cover you may need. If you have any further questions or would like to discuss your needs, our team of experts are on hand to help. Get in touch today for more information.