Buildings Insurance

Buildings insurance is designed to protect the structure of your property against insured events such as fire, flooding, storms and other unexpected damage. For homeowners, landlords and property investors, having suitable cover in place can help protect one of their most valuable assets.

SynergiseUK does not sell or provide buildings insurance. We introduce you to carefully selected specialist insurance providers who can discuss your property, explain the cover available and arrange a policy where suitable.

If you are looking for buildings insurance, you can Start Your Enquiry to begin the process of speaking with a specialist.

What Is Buildings Insurance?

Buildings insurance covers the physical structure of a property rather than the possessions kept inside it.

Depending on the policy, this can include:

• Walls, roofs, floors and ceilings
• Permanent fixtures and fittings
• Fitted kitchens and bathrooms
• Windows and doors
• Garages and certain outbuildings
• Pipes, drains and cables
• Rebuilding costs following a covered event

Policies vary between insurers, so it is important to check the individual policy wording, limits, excesses and exclusions before taking out cover.

What Can Buildings Insurance Cover?

Buildings insurance is generally designed to provide financial protection if your property is damaged by an event covered under your policy.

Depending on the insurer and level of cover selected, this may include damage caused by:

• Fire and smoke
• Flooding
• Storms
• Subsidence
• Burst pipes and water leaks
• Theft or attempted theft
• Vandalism
• Falling trees
• Vehicle impact

Accidental damage may be included within some policies or available as an optional addition.

Cover, exclusions and claims are always subject to the individual insurer's policy terms and conditions.

Do I Need Buildings Insurance?

Buildings insurance is not generally a legal requirement, but if you have a mortgage, your lender will normally require suitable buildings insurance to be in place.

Even if you own your property without a mortgage, buildings insurance may be worth considering because of the potential cost of repairing or rebuilding a property following serious damage.

For leasehold properties, buildings insurance may already be arranged by the freeholder, managing agent or management company. It is worth checking your lease and existing arrangements before purchasing separate cover.

Buildings Insurance for Different Types of Property

Not every property fits standard insurance criteria. This is where speaking with a specialist insurance provider can be particularly useful.

Cover may be available for:

Residential Homes

Buildings insurance for your main residence can protect the physical structure against a range of insured risks.

Landlord and Rental Properties

Properties that are rented to tenants may require specialist landlord insurance rather than a standard residential home insurance policy.

Non-Standard Properties

Properties with unusual construction materials, flat roofs, listed status or other non-standard features may require a more specialist approach.

Unoccupied Properties

Standard policies can restrict cover when a property is left unoccupied for an extended period. Specialist unoccupied property insurance may therefore be required.

High-Value Properties

Higher-value homes or properties with unusual rebuilding requirements may need increased policy limits or specialist underwriting.

If your property falls outside straightforward insurance criteria, Start Your Enquiry and SynergiseUK can introduce you to a specialist who can discuss the options available.

Buildings Insurance and Rebuild Cost

Buildings insurance is generally based on the estimated cost of rebuilding your property rather than its market value.

The rebuild cost can include more than simply reconstructing the building. It may need to account for professional fees, demolition, site clearance, materials and labour.

Setting an appropriate rebuild value is important. Underinsurance could affect the amount paid following a claim.

Where you are unsure of the appropriate figure, a suitably qualified professional or insurance specialist may be able to explain what information is required.

Buildings Insurance vs Contents Insurance

Buildings insurance and contents insurance protect different things.

Buildings insurance is primarily concerned with the physical structure of the property and permanent fixtures.

Contents insurance is designed to protect belongings within the property, such as furniture, televisions, appliances and personal possessions, subject to the policy terms.

The two types of insurance can sometimes be arranged together as a combined buildings and contents insurance policy.

Optional Buildings Insurance Cover

Depending on the insurer, additional protection may be available alongside the core policy.

This could include:

• Accidental damage
• Home emergency cover
• Legal expenses insurance
• Alternative accommodation
• Trace and access cover
• Property owner's liability

Not every addition will be appropriate for every property. A specialist can explain what is included as standard and what can be added for an additional premium.

What Can Affect the Cost of Buildings Insurance?

Insurers consider a range of factors when calculating premiums.

These can include:

• Property type and construction
• Location
• Rebuild value
• Previous insurance claims
• Property age
• Security features
• Flood or subsidence risk
• How the property is occupied
• Level of excess selected
• Additional cover required

The cheapest premium will not necessarily provide the most appropriate protection. Policy limits, excesses, exclusions and the scope of cover should also be considered.

How SynergiseUK Can Help

SynergiseUK is a professional referral network. We do not sell buildings insurance and we do not act as your insurer.

Instead, we make it easier to find relevant specialist insurance providers without having to search for them yourself.

The process is straightforward:

1. Tell us what you are looking for
   Provide some basic information about your property and insurance requirements.
2. We identify a relevant specialist
   We review your enquiry and introduce you to a carefully selected insurance provider from our network.
3. Discuss your requirements
   The specialist can explain the available options, policy features, exclusions and costs.
4. Decide whether to proceed
   You can consider the information provided and decide whether the proposed insurance is suitable for your requirements.

There is no obligation to proceed simply because SynergiseUK has made an introduction.

Who May Benefit From Specialist Buildings Insurance?

Speaking with a specialist may be particularly useful if you are:

• Buying a home
• Remortgaging
• Reviewing an existing policy
• A landlord
• A property investor
• Insuring a non-standard property
• Insuring a high-value home
• Looking for cover for an unoccupied property
• Unsure what type of property insurance you require

Why Choose SynergiseUK?

Finding the right specialist can sometimes be as important as finding the right product.

SynergiseUK brings together carefully selected independent businesses across insurance, mortgages, finance, tax support, legal services, wealth management and other professional services.

For buildings insurance, our role is simple. We take your initial enquiry and introduce you to a relevant insurance specialist who can discuss your requirements directly.

We do not provide insurance advice or sell the policy ourselves.

Protect Your Property With Suitable Cover

Buildings insurance can provide valuable financial protection if your home or investment property suffers serious damage.

Rather than trying to determine which insurer or type of policy may be suitable on your own, SynergiseUK can introduce you to a specialist who can discuss your property and insurance requirements.

Start Your Enquiry or use the enquiry section below to begin the process of speaking with a specialist.

Enquire today with no obligation.