Protection and Insurance
Protecting yourself during and after property purchase
Having the right insurance in place protects your investment and gives you peace of mind. Some insurances are mandatory, while others are highly recommended.
Buildings Insurance
Essential protection for your property:
- Required by mortgage lenders
- Must start from exchange of contracts
- Covers structure, not contents
- Check rebuild cost is adequate
- Consider excess levels
Contents Insurance
- Covers your belongings
- Not required but recommended
- Can start from completion
- Check coverage limits
- Consider accidental damage
Life Insurance
Protects your family if you die:
- Often required by lenders
- Should cover mortgage amount
- Consider decreasing term insurance
- Joint life policies available
- Critical illness cover option
Legal Indemnity Insurance
Covers specific legal risks:
- Missing building regulations
- Lack of planning permission
- Restrictive covenant breaches
- Access issues
- Chancel repair liability
Cost: Usually £100-500 one-off payment
Home Emergency Cover
- 24/7 emergency repairs
- Boiler breakdowns
- Plumbing emergencies
- Electrical failures
- Often added to buildings insurance
Title Insurance
Protects against title defects:
- Fraud
- Forgery
- Missing documents
- Boundary disputes
- Usually arranged by solicitor
Warranty Protection
New Builds
10-year NHBC warranty
Older Homes
Consider home warranty
Appliances
Extended warranties
Boiler
Service contracts
When to Arrange Insurance
| Insurance Type | When to Arrange |
|---|---|
| Buildings | Before exchange |
| Contents | Before completion |
| Life | With mortgage offer |
| Legal indemnity | During conveyancing |
💡 Top Tips
- Compare insurance quotes from multiple providers
- Check what’s included in your mortgage offer – some include free insurance
- Review your insurance annually to ensure adequate coverage
- Keep all insurance documents in a safe place