The one policy your lender actually requires.
Buildings cover sized on rebuild cost, in force from exchange — plus contents cover priced properly rather than guessed.
Home insurance for a mortgaged UK property has two parts. Buildings insurance is a mandatory condition of virtually every mortgage offer and must be in force from exchange of contracts, with the sum insured at least equal to the rebuild cost (typically 50–70% of market value, taken from your survey or the BCIS calculator). Contents insurance is optional and covers possessions, usually £40,000–£75,000 as standard with single-item limits around £1,500–£2,500. Standard perils include fire, flood, storm, escape of water, theft and subsidence; high flood-risk postcodes may need Flood Re-backed cover, and prior subsidence usually brings exclusions or a higher excess. Leasehold flat owners generally need contents cover only, as the freeholder insures the building.
The numbers, at a glance.
What lenders want to see.
Who typically qualifies
- Owner-occupied freehold or leasehold UK property
- Standard or non-standard construction (thatch, timber frame, listed)
- Previous claims, flood risk and subsidence history all quotable
- Unoccupied and renovation cover available separately
- Joint policyholders and multi-generational households accepted
Documents to prepare
- Rebuild cost from your survey or a BCIS estimate
- Property age, construction type and roof material
- Number of bedrooms and any listed-building status
- Claims history for the last 5 years
- Security details — locks, alarm, occupancy pattern
How Elena helps, specifically.
Rebuild-cost accuracy
Sized correctly so you're neither underinsured nor overpaying.
Lender-compliant
Cover note issued in time for exchange, with your lender noted.
Flood & subsidence
Flood Re-backed options for high-risk postcodes and past claims.
Non-standard homes
Thatch, timber frame, listed and period properties all placeable.
Excess balanced
We model premium against excess rather than defaulting to the cheapest.
AI-matched
Elena compares cover wording, not just headline price.
Top insurer matches for this cover
"Strong all-round wording with reliable escape-of-water claims handling."
"Higher single-item limits and generous accidental damage as standard."
"Best for period, listed and high-value properties with unusual construction."
Questions, answered.
Elena, our AI mortgage expert, can answer it in seconds — or book you a free callback with a human broker.
Is buildings insurance mandatory for a UK mortgage?
What is the difference between rebuild cost and market value?
Does home insurance cover flood and subsidence?
Do I need cover from exchange or completion?
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