However, as with all insurances, you do have to shop around as some providers will offer a combined policy cheaper, while with others it can work out cheaper buying separate cover.



What does a contents policy do?

A contents policy allows the homeowner to insure the possessions in the home. This includes everything that is movable from CDs through to clothing and furniture. Should they be damaged or stolen, the policy would look to replace them.

What does a buildings insurance policy do?

A buildings insurance cover policy on the other hand would protect the bricks and mortar of your property as well as the fixtures and fittings (eg wardrobes; kitchen units; fitted bathrooms etc) in the event of fire, flood, subsidence and other disasters.

Home insurance cover would bring financial relief in the case of lost items in the home or in the case of damage, repair or having to totally rebuild your home from scratch due to fire, for example. It would also save a lot of heartache and stress.

For example, suffering a complete loss of your belongings or home would mean you would have to rebuild and start from scratch and without cover you would struggle to find the money to do so.

How to buy?

One of the easiest and quickest ways to buy household cover is online with a specialist broker who will be able to access some great deals for you. They can save you the legwork by shopping around for the right policy on your behalf.

Lowering the cost

There are several things you can do in order to attract lower premiums:

• Paying out more than the provider states in the terms and conditions for the excess can often lead to cheaper premiums for your policy. This is called a voluntary excess;

• To some extent the security of your home will be taken into account when determining your premiums and the harder it is to break into your home the cheaper the insurance cover would be. Good quality door and window locks, alarms and walls around the property can help to make it more secure and could keep down the premiums;

• only insure for the amount that you need when considering your contents policy. A great way to come to this figure is to take an inventory of all the items in your home. This will help you to not pay over the odds for insurance cover that you do not need.

• It goes without saying that remaining with the provider year after year can often mean that you pay more than you need to for the cover;

• Always look carefully into the various options for taking out household cover and check to see if you could obtain both contents and buildings insurance cover together for a reduced premium from the same provider. Also look for extras which might be thrown in when buying them together.

Do note when buying your household cover that if you wish to protect any special items then it is imperative that you state what they are and their value when taking out a contents policy. The majority of items which are over a certain amount would require extra cover and therefore a higher premium.