Home insurance doesn't actually exist as a policy. Whilst this might seem like an outrageous statement to make, home insurance is actually a conglomerate of two other types of insurance, buildings insurance and contents insurance. Whilst these are often sold together, they protect different things and if you make a claim you will most likely claim from one policy or the other. So what is covered by which policy, and what is not covered at all?



The British weather is increasingly becoming the bane of insurers? lives. Flooding in 2007, unseasonal snaps of severe cold and high winds have led to massive volumes of claims in recent years. Thankfully, the majority of weather damage will be paid for, regardless of where you live.

All buildings insurance policies will cover for damage caused to the structure of your property and to any fitted elements such as kitchens and bathroom. Most, if not all, policies will cover for storms and high winds and if yours doesn't then you should probably talk to your insurance provider. Any claim for damage to the fabric of your property should fall under the buildings insurance policy.

However, if you suffer damage that is so extensive some of your possessions are broken or needing repair or replacement you will have to claim on your contents insurance, or both. This happens most commonly when a pipe cracks and water spreads through your property. Thankfully, buildings insurance covers for any damage caused by freezing water in your pipes.

Almost all policies will cover you should something fall from your property onto a neighbor's property and cause damage. Many policies will also have a clause that pays for alternative accommodation for that neighbor if the damage is particularly severe. This will be claimed from your buildings insurance policy.

The hard and fast rule is that anything that you would take with you were you to move house falls under the contents insurance banner and therefore claims on damage to these items will be paid from that policy

Most insurance policies will not cover damage to garden furnishings or for damage by frost. Most relevantly insurance companies have no obligation to pay for keeping a property in a good state of repair, so if you don't keep up with the maintenance and a problem is made worse by wear and tear then more likely than not you'll be the one footing the bill.