First Home Insurance: What New Homeowners Need to Know
An online session for first-time buyers and recent homeowners covering buildings and contents insurance — what each covers, how to calculate the right sum insured, what questions to ask before you buy, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.
About this session
Buying your first home brings a new set of insurance responsibilities. Buildings insurance is usually required by your mortgage lender from exchange; contents insurance protects everything you own inside. Many first-time buyers get both wrong — under-insuring the rebuild value, under-estimating contents, or missing important exclusions. This session addresses all of that in plain language.
Session agenda
| Time | Item |
|---|---|
| 18:00 | Welcome and introduction |
| 18:05 | Buildings vs contents — what each covers and who needs what |
| 18:25 | Calculating the right sum insured (rebuild cost, contents replacement value) |
| 18:45 | What to check before buying — excess, accidental damage, single-article limits, flood cover |
| 19:05 | Common mistakes new homeowners make — and how to avoid them |
| 19:20 | Live Q&A |
| 19:30 | Close |
Event FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Yes. You can start comparing home insurance before you exchange. Most mortgage lenders require buildings insurance from the date of exchange (not completion). Understanding the products before you need them means you are not rushing through a comparison on a stressful day. See our home insurance buyer's guide.
- Yes. Registration is free and a recording is sent to all registered attendees within 48 hours.
- Yes. A specific section covers leasehold situations — where buildings insurance is typically the freeholder's or management company's responsibility, what leaseholders need to check about that policy, and what leaseholders must arrange themselves (contents, personal liability).
- Our home insurance buyer's guide covers the core concepts. For the rebuild cost section, our article on home rebuild costs is useful background. For under-insurance, see under-insurance.