Which? highlights the most common home insurance claims

From past experience, you probably already think that it's a good idea to take out home insurance to protect the building from the vagaries of things that are beyond your control. 

In fact, buildings insurance is required by a mortgage company before they are prepared to sign on the dotted line and grant you a loan to buy the property in the first place.

But what about the contents and fixtures and fittings? Is it worth taking out the insurance policy to protect them, too? Isn't it a fair amount of money to be spending when it's relatively unlikely that you'll need to make a claim? 

And just how unlikely is it anyway? Just because you've never made a claim in the past doesn't mean there is the risk that you might need to in the future - it really comes down to the assessment of that risk.

So, to answer those questions is down to you and how much peace of mind you want to gain from having the insurance in place in case you need it.

Which?, the UK's consumer champion, has recently carried out a survey to identify what are the most common claims along with an evaluation as to how much the average claim will cost to rectify). The survey took in the responses of 1,507 policyholders in the summer of 2024. Some of the results are obvious, while others are claims that you might want to consider further for your own needs.

You are probably aware that premiums for insurance policies are going up all the time. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the industry's controlling body, British homeowners racked up a staggering £1.4 billion in claims just in the second quarter of 2024. 

As Which? points out, the majority of these claims will be in connection with storm or wind damage, floods and heatwaves (causing subsidence), all of which weather events are becoming more frequent.

But, of those surveyed for Which?, these are the most common responses for the reasons for making a claim, with the average amount claimed (where it is supplied):

Source: Which?

The evidence from Which?'s survey shows that there are many common areas that are a cause for concern when you own a property. This is why it's important to consider taking out insurance to cover the home. While you might consider some of the common claims to be unlikely in your case, there are some things that you can't prevent or take precautions for, so it may be worthwhile shopping around for that insurance policy that best fits your requirements and needs.

Which? helpfully provides an assessment of the best home insurance companies, but you should be aware that many insurance companies don't provide full accidental cover - this is something that is critical when researching your options, since it was the highest result in the survey.

Which? also presents a list of tips for making an insurance claim:

1. Contact your insurer quickly because the sooner you put your claim in the sooner it can be assessed and the cost of remedy reimbursed.
2. Hold on to damaged items because, while the temptation is there to simply throw them away, these are evidence of the problem that is the subject of your claim.
3. Take photos of any damage because your insurer will require proof of the reason for you to make your claim.
4. Consider the effect of claiming on your premium because the cost of fixing any issue might not be worth the financial impact.
5. Be careful with cash settlements because you need to ensure whatever settlement the insurer is offering is enough to cover all the associated remedial costs.

You can find out more about how to make a home insurance claim.

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They will start work on your planned purchase as soon as you agree to the quotation and appoint them to represent you. 

Homeward Legal will also provide a quote that will not change - what you are quoted is what you pay for standard conveyancing process.

There are some unforeseen items that might arise during the purchase and/or sale, but the solicitor discusses these and their cost as they come up. 

In addition, to protect the homebuyer further, Homeward Legal operates a ‘no completion, no fee' promise, which ensures that, should the purchase or sale not go through as planned to completion status, no payment is required.

Call  to get your conveyancing quote started, or to discuss your concerns with your plans to move.

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