What is buildings insurance?

Find out how to protect the structure of your home against damage.

Buildings insurance covers you if something happens to your home. For example, if a fire, flood or storm damages the building it will cover the cost of the repairs.

It will cover the cost to rebuild, repair or replace things like your roof, walls, windows, doors or fitted bathrooms and kitchens. Check your buildings insurance policy to know what is and isn't included. 

Buildings insurance doesn't cover the things inside your home, like TVs, cash or furniture. For that, you'll need contents insurance.

You can purchase buildings insurance by itself, or combine it with contents insurance.

Do I need buildings insurance?

Most mortgage lenders request that you have buildings insurance. This is to protect against the cost of serious damage to your home.

Rebuilding part or all of your home would be expensive, so buildings insurance can offer peace of mind that these costs may be covered. With Lloyds Bank Insurance we will also find you somewhere to stay if your home is unfit to live in due to a claim. Limits, terms and exclusions apply. 

Renters won't need to get buildings insurance, as this is the landlord's responsibility. You may need contents insurance which protects your items within the home.

How does buildings insurance work?

Buildings insurance covers you if something happens to your home. For example, if it's damaged by a storm, fire or flood. 

You pay to your insurer a premium, and if something goes wrong, they might be able to put it right. You can find out what is and isn't covered in your policy documents.

Always check your policy documents for any limits, terms or exclusions that may apply, such as when the home is vacant for a long period.

Making a claim on your buildings insurance

If you need to make a claim, contact your insurer as soon as you can. Some give you up to 180 days to make a claim. But the sooner you do, the better.

You may need to:

  • Give a list of what has been damaged
  • Take pictures of the damage
  • Keep any damaged items if you can
  • Say what has happened
  • Provide copies of receipts for damaged items if you have them

If your insurer accepts your claim, they'll pay the costs of repairing the damage, replacing items, or rebuilding the property. The amount they'll pay will depend on your excess and policy limits.

Paying a bigger voluntary or compulsory excess can lower your insurance payments. This can mean you pay more to repair your property or replace your things when making a claim. It's important to think about this when deciding on how much you want to pay for your insurance.

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Buildings insurance: FAQs

Does buildings insurance cover boilers?

Buildings insurance will usually cover damage to your boiler, but not if it breaks down. Home Emergency Cover is the best way to keep your home toasty and warm.

Does buildings insurance cover burst pipes?

A burst pipe can lead to water damage. Most home insurance policies will cover you for damage to the building that happens due to burst pipes, but not usually for damage to the pipe itself. You will normally need to pay a higher excess for this type of claim. 

Buildings insurance won't normally cover the plumbing costs to stop or repair the leak. Some policies will cover the cost of repairing damage to your buildings caused as a result of finding and getting to the leak.

Does buildings insurance cover leaks?

Buildings insurance will usually cover damage caused by leaking water and oil. If the leak is as a result of wear and tear or poor maintenance, you may not be able to claim for it. Wear and tear is damage that happens naturally as something gets old.

You will normally need to pay a higher excess for this type of claim. Buildings insurance won't normally cover the plumbing costs to stop or repair the leak. Some policies will cover the cost of repairing damage to your buildings caused as a result of finding and getting to the leak.

Does buildings insurance cover roof repairs?

Your policy will cover damage to your roof caused by a storm. If your roof isn't in a good condition or there are signs of wear and tear, you may not be covered. Wear and tear is damage that happens naturally as something gets old.

Does building insurance cover subsidence?

Yes. Most policies will cover damage caused by subsidence. You will normally need to pay a higher excess for this type of claim.

To find out more, review our policy documents.

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