Buildings Insurance
The structure and permanent fixtures, subject to the chosen policy.
Home Insurance
Cover for your home and the things that make it yours
Buildings and contents insurance are designed to protect different parts of your home life. Anderson Reed Financial Services can help you understand the cover available, the details to compare and the questions to ask before choosing a policy.
Clear information for homeowners, home buyers, leaseholders and people reviewing existing cover.
Buildings, contents or both?
Two types of cover with different purposes
Buildings Insurance focuses on the structure of the property and permanent fixtures. Contents Insurance focuses on the belongings kept in or associated with the home. They can often be arranged separately or as a combined policy, but each section has its own cover limits, excesses and exclusions.
The appropriate arrangement depends on whether you own or rent, the property's tenure, how buildings cover is already arranged and the belongings you need to consider. A combined policy may be convenient, but it should still be checked section by section rather than assumed to cover everything.
Contents Insurance
Household belongings and personal possessions, subject to limits and options.
Buildings Insurance
Protecting the structure
Buildings Insurance is designed to cover the cost of repairing or rebuilding the insured structure following events included by the policy. Depending on the insurer and policy, this may include the roof, walls, floors, fitted kitchens and bathrooms, permanent fixtures, garages, outbuildings, drives or boundary features.
Cover is not identical between policies. Fire, storm, flood, escape of water, subsidence, impact or theft-related damage may be included, excluded or subject to particular conditions and excesses. The policy documents provide the authoritative detail.
Mortgage, freehold and leasehold arrangements
Most mortgage lenders require suitable buildings insurance as a condition of lending, but the responsibility for arranging it depends on the property and tenure. For many leasehold flats, the freeholder or managing agent arranges a block policy and recovers the cost through the service charge. Check the mortgage offer, lease and existing policy.
Rebuild cost is not market value
Buildings cover is commonly based on the estimated cost of rebuilding the property rather than its sale price. Use an appropriate rebuild-cost source and tell the insurer about unusual construction, listed status or significant extensions.
Contents Insurance
The belongings inside your home
Contents Insurance is designed for belongings that could generally be removed from the home, such as furniture, clothing, appliances, electronics, books and other personal possessions. It may cover loss or damage caused by events listed in the policy, subject to its definitions, limits and exclusions.
Estimating the total replacement value room by room can help reduce the risk of leaving important belongings out. Pay particular attention to high-value items and collections, because policies can impose a single-item limit or require certain possessions to be listed separately.
Possessions away from home
Cover for items taken away from home may be optional, limited geographically or subject to separate conditions. Check whether the items, values and locations relevant to you are included.
New-for-old and indemnity cover
Review the settlement basis rather than assuming every item will be replaced at its original purchase price.
Comparing cover
Look beyond the headline premium
Price matters, but a lower premium can also reflect different limits, excesses or optional features. Compare how the policy would work for your home and belongings.
- Buildings and contents sums insured
- Single-item and valuables limits
- Compulsory and voluntary excesses
- Flood, subsidence and water excesses
- Accidental damage and possessions away from home
- Alternative accommodation and matching sets
- Security and unoccupancy conditions
- Exclusions, renewals and cancellation terms
Optional features are not automatically included, and similarly named policies can provide different cover. Read the Insurance Product Information Document and full policy wording before deciding.
How Anderson Reed Financial Services can help
Clear help with the details that matter
Anderson Reed Financial Services can help you identify the Home Insurance needs connected with your property, tenure and belongings. Where a policy is proposed, Anderson Reed Financial Services will explain the nature of the service and give you the relevant product information. Review the cover limits, excesses, significant exclusions, price and policy documents before deciding whether to proceed.
- 1.
Understand the property and tenure
Including who is responsible for buildings cover.
- 2.
Consider belongings and values
Including individual high-value items.
- 3.
Review cover details
Limits, excesses, optional features and exclusions.
- 4.
Make an informed decision
Using insurer product and policy documents.
Client reviews
What Anderson Reed Financial Services clients say about their experience.
Clear explanations and practical support can help make important decisions easier to approach.
1 / 4
★★★★★
“Cannot thank Scott for all his help support throughout the process of sorting our mortgage. Ours wasn’t a typical ‘let’s just go & get a mortgage’ situation, but Scott’s knowledge & expertise made everything so much easier. Would highly recommend”
★★★★★
“Scott was fantastic for myself and my business partners. Professional throughout and contactable throughout the day. Would recommend his service to anyone!”
★★★★★
“Cannot thank Scott enough, helped us throughout the entire process and was always available for support! 10/10.”
★★★★★
“Scott, Held our hand from start to finish with our purchase. Amazing service.”
Questions about Home Insurance
Home Insurance FAQs
What is the difference between buildings and contents insurance?+
Buildings Insurance concerns the structure and permanent fixtures; Contents Insurance concerns belongings, both subject to policy terms.
Do I need buildings insurance with a mortgage?+
Most lenders require suitable buildings cover, but check the mortgage offer and tenure arrangements.
Who arranges buildings insurance for a leasehold flat?+
It is often the freeholder or managing agent through a block policy, but verify the lease and policy.
Do renters need Home Insurance?+
A landlord normally handles the building. Tenants may wish to consider their contents and relevant liability features.
Is rebuild cost the same as market value?+
No. Rebuild cost is the estimated cost of rebuilding, which may be lower or higher than the sale price.
How much contents cover should I choose?+
Estimate replacement value throughout the home and consider single-item limits.
Does contents insurance cover belongings outside the home?+
Only where the policy includes the relevant option and subject to its limits and conditions.
Is accidental damage automatically included?+
It varies and may be optional.
What is a Home Insurance excess?+
It is the amount the policyholder bears when making a claim; different excesses may apply.
What changes should I tell my insurer about?+
Check the policy and tell the insurer about changes such as major works, extended unoccupancy, letting, business use or valuable items.
Does Home Insurance cover every cause of damage?+
No. Insured events, exclusions, limits and maintenance-related issues matter.
What information should I read before choosing a policy?+
Read the Insurance Product Information Document, schedule, statement of fact and full policy wording supplied.
Want to review your Home Insurance needs?
Speak to Anderson Reed Financial Services about the property, belongings and policy details you want to consider. A conversation does not commit you to taking out cover.