Home Insurance

Home Insurance is one of the most important types of insurance that you can buy. It protects your home and possessions against fire, theft, vandalism, floods and other types of damage.

There are two main types of home insurance: buildings and contents insurance. Buildings insurance covers the structure of your property, including the roof, walls and floors. Contents insurance covers your belongings, such as furniture, appliances and clothing.

When you are comparing home insurance, it is important to read the small print carefully so that you know what is and isn’t covered by your policy. It is also important to shop around and compare different home insurance policies to make sure you are getting the best deal.

At Echo Finance, we can help you find the right home insurance policy for your needs. We compare a range of policies from different insurers to help you find the right cover at the right price. Compare home insurance quotes in minutes and find the right policy for you.

Is Home Insurance Cover a Legal Requirement?

No, home insurance is not mandatory in the UK. However, if you have a mortgage, your lender will usually require you to have buildings insurance.

That being said, even if you don’t have a mortgage, we would still recommend that you get home insurance. It offers valuable protection for your property and possessions, giving you peace of mind in the event of damage or theft.

How Do I Choose Home Insurance?

The first step is to decide whether you need buildings insurance, contents insurance or both.

If you are a homeowner, you will need buildings cover as it is a requirement of your mortgage lender. Contents insurance is not a mortgage lender requirement, but it is still important to consider as it will protect your belongings in the event of theft, damage or flooding. If you're a tenant, you will only need contents insurance as your landlord is responsible for insuring the building.

Once you have decided what type of home insurance you need, you can start comparing policies. When comparing home insurance, it is important to consider the following:

- The level of cover you need: Do you need buildings insurance, contents insurance or both?

- The amount of cover you need: How much would it cost to replace your belongings or rebuild your home if it was damaged or destroyed?

- The excess: The excess is the amount you have to pay towards a claim. A higher excess will mean a lower premium, but make sure you can afford to pay the excess if you need to make a claim.

- The cover: Make sure you are aware of what is and isn’t covered by your policy. For example, most policies will not cover damage caused by wear and tear or accidents that are your fault.

- The provider: It is important to choose a reputable home insurance provider that will be there for you if you need to make a claim.

At Echo Finance, we can help you find the right home insurance policy for your needs. Our experts compare a wide range of policies from leading insurers, so we are sure to have the perfect policy for you.

How Much Does Home Insurance Cost?

The cost of home insurance varies depending on a number of factors, such as the level of cover you need, the amount of cover you require and the excess you are willing to pay.

To get an idea of how much your home insurance could cost, use our online quote tool. We compare a range of policies from different home insurance providers to help you find the right cover at the right price.

Comparing Cheap Home Insurance on Price-Comparison Websites

Price comparison websites can be tempting. If you're looking for buildings and contents insurance, you may have already compared deals and received a quote. With low prices, they might seem like good value, but how sure can you be that you're getting the cover you need? 

Lower prices often mean a reduced level of cover, and you may find you are not covered in certain areas at all. Here are a few of the common areas to look for when it comes to cheaper cover. 

Accidental Damage Cover

Accidental damage cover can protect you from life's unexpected mishaps. Policies found on price comparison sites are not always clear on the level of cover included. Many policies offer standard Accidental Damage cover for fixed glass, sanitary fittings, underground drains and pipes. Some contents insurance policies may also cover accidental damage to fixed glass in furniture, ceramic hobs, televisions, games consoles, and video and audio equipment.

You may assume your policy covers you against a tin of paint knocked over a brand new carpet or a glass of red wine spilt over a new cream sofa, but this may not be the case!

Window and Door Locks

By providing a detailed description of all window and door locks on your property, you have given the insurer a potential reason to not payout in the event of a theft. If they can show that the information they were provided was inaccurate in any way, they could use this as a way out of paying your claim. The less detail you provide, the better!

Home Emergency Assistance

For some claims, time is of the essence. Home emergency assistance gives you peace of mind against crises such as getting locked out of your home and needing an emergency locksmith or your boiler breaking down during cold weather.

You may find home emergency cover offered as standard on price comparison sites, but how much cover are you getting, and what are you covered for? In some cases, the cover can be restricted to a couple of callouts with a modest claim value. For total peace of mind, a bespoke home emergency policy may be preferable. 

New for Old Cover

How much is your 5-year-old TV or 10-year-old camera worth, and how would you go about replacing them if they were damaged? Personal possessions cover on price comparison sites are often based on the current market value of items, which can be a lot less than the amount you paid for them.

Without New for Old cover on your insurance policy, you would only be compensated for the market value of the item, taking into account wear and tear.

Under Insuring

You may feel as though you're saving money by taking out a reduced level of cover. However, if you were the victim of a burglary, only a percentage of your loss is likely to be compensated without the right level of cover. Make sure your policy adequately covers the total value of your contents.

Trace and Access

A leaking pipe can cause all sorts of damage, but sometimes finding where the leak is coming from can also cause damage. From removing plaster to taking up floors, finding the source of the issue can be hugely expensive. Watch out for policies without trace and access cover, as this could prove to be a costly mistake. 

Is House Insurance Cheaper If You Are Older?

The simple answer is yes! Older people are statistically less likely to make a claim on their home insurance, and so insurers are willing to offer them cheaper cover.So, if you're over 50, it's definitely worth seeing if you can get a cheaper deal on your home insurance.

Is It Worth Getting a Combined Home Insurance Policy?

A combined insurance policy can work out cheaper than taking out separate buildings and contents insurance policies. This is because insurers offer a discount for insuring both your home and its contents with them. However, it's important to make sure that you're not overpaying for your cover. Get in touch with our team of experts to find the right policy for you.

What if I Need Specialist Insurance?

If you require specialist home insurance, such as listed building cover or unoccupied property insurance, you may need to take out a specialist policy.

Our team of experts can find the right policy for you, even if you have a non-standard home. Get started with our home insurance comparison today.

How Do I Make a Claim on My Home Insurance?

If you need to make a claim on your home insurance, the first thing you should do is contact your insurer. They will be able to tell you what you need to do next and how to progress your claim.

In most cases, you will be asked to provide evidence of the damage, such as photos or a police report. You will also need to provide details of any repairs or replacements that have been made.

Your insurer will then assess your claim and decide whether or not to pay out. If your claim is successful, you should receive your payout within a few days.

Compare Deals Online

At Echo Finance, we believe that everyone should have access to great deals on home insurance. That's why we've created a simple and easy-to-use comparison service that lets you compare quotes from a range of leading insurers. Get started today and see how much you could save.