What Does Household Insurance Cover?

Buildings and contents insurance policies typically pay out for damage and loss caused by fire, flood, storms, theft and attempted theft, vandalism, riots, leaks of oil and water, explosions, subsidence, (though there's usually a substantial excess for subsidence), heave, landslip, earthquakes, and impact - for example by vehicles, animals (but not pets), trees, lamp posts, telegraph poles, aerials, and aeroplanes. It also usually pays for the cost of alternative temporary accommodation, for instance if you were flooded and had to leave your home.

Basic cover also usually includes your legal liability as owner or occupier, for example if a visitor or tradesperson sues you after an injury resulting from disrepair in your home.

Excess is an initial figure that the insurance company will not pay on a claim - you have to meet this and the insurer pays the balance on the sum you are claiming. The insurer will not meet claims below the excess.