Welcome to Insuring Your Home

Insuring your home may be complicated enough, with the need to ensure you've got the correct level of cover, but different types of homes in varying locations can present all sorts of challenges.

With many people accepting climate change as a reality, an increased risk of flooding is viewed as inevitable. If you live in an area that's prone to flooding, that's not good news. At best, it can result in increased premiums while the worst outcome is that insurers refuse to provide cover.

The Environment Agency publishes maps showing areas at risk from flooding. If you're considering buying a property, check it's not in such an area before signing the contract. If you've already got a property in a flood area, you can take measures to reduce premiums. These include erecting temporary flood barriers and moving equipment to dry areas. Builders can use flood-resistant materials, install sockets above flood levels and create flood defences, so check for these if you're considering buying.

If you live a in a listed building, you'll find many insurers can't provide adequate cover. This is important because English Heritage insists on full restoration in the event of significant damage. You'll need to ensure you have sufficient cover for this and should undertake a proper valuation beforehand. A specialist insurer will then need to be engaged to provide a policy.

Anyone planning to build their own home needs to have the necessary insurance in place before starting. This includes public liability cover against potential claims, insurance of the building work and materials, employers' liability to cover those who help on the project and legal expenses cover in case of disputes. Only when it's finished can you revert to normal home insurance.

If you work from home, you'll need additional business cover for office equipment. Having a holiday home requires cover for two properties and may be complicated if one is abroad. If you spend long periods in your holiday home, ensure the cover on your main home remains in effect if it's empty for long periods.

Landlords need special insurance that covers the building and possibly some contents, with options for emergency assistance, legal cover and rent guarantees. Insurance is also available for tenants who may have few contents and so don't need the same level of cover as for normal home insurance.