Summary
- Typical cost is $1,200–2,600 (US) or £150–450 (UK) per year.
- Insure buildings for rebuild cost, never market value.
- Valuables above roughly $2,000 or £1,500 must be listed individually.
- Gradual damage, poor maintenance and long unoccupancy are excluded.
- Photos, receipts and a home inventory decide most claims.
Quick answer
Home insurance costs roughly $1,200–2,600 per year in the US and £150–450 per year in the UK for a typical home, the difference reflecting what each market's standard policy covers and local risk.
What the cover includes
| Cover | What it protects |
|---|---|
| Buildings | The structure, roof, walls, permanent fixtures, often outbuildings |
| Contents | Furniture, electronics, clothing, valuables inside the home |
| Liability | Injury or damage you cause to others |
| Alternative accommodation | Somewhere to live while the home is uninhabitable |
| Accidental damage (often optional) | Spilt paint, a foot through the ceiling, a cracked worktop |
| Away-from-home cover (optional) | Phones, bikes and jewellery outside the property |
Getting the sums insured right
Common exclusions and gaps
Reducing the premium
How to claim well
Summary
Insure buildings for rebuild cost, be honest with the contents total, list valuables individually and read the exclusions on maintenance and unoccupancy. Those four things decide almost every claim outcome.
Frequently asked questions
home insurance
contents
buildings
claims