• You need both contents and buildings insurance
• You don’t have to buy insurance from your lender – it may be cheaper to buy it from an insurance company
• If you are buying a flat, buildings insurance may be included in your service charge
• As a buyer you need to have a buildings insurance policy organised by the time you exchange contracts on your property
• Make sure you have your contents insurance arranged from the day you move in so that your possessions are insured as they are being moved
• Your belongings need to be insured while they are being moved to your new home. Check that your contents policy will cover this
• Some contents policies give you cover for belongings while on away from the home and on holiday
• A policy based on the number of rooms in your home may work out cheaper if you have a large home
• Opting for a voluntary excess may help to reduce the cost of the premiums you pay
