Home insurance · Plain-English guide
Best time to review home insurance before renewal
Renewal is the natural time to check the market, but price is only useful when the cover is genuinely comparable. Start when the renewal invitation arrives so you can confirm rebuilding costs, contents limits, excesses and add-ons without creating a gap in cover.
Reviewed 9 September 2026 · 3-minute read
The simple checklist
Do these in order
- Check the renewal date and previous premium shown on the renewal notice.
- Confirm the rebuild figure, contents value, valuable-item limits and accidental-damage needs.
- Compare compulsory and voluntary excesses, exclusions and add-ons—not just the premium.
- Check the total annual cost if paying monthly because premium finance can add cost.
- Make sure replacement cover is active before cancelling, especially where a mortgage requires buildings insurance.
Quick answers
People also ask
When should I compare home insurance?
Start when your renewal invitation arrives. That gives you time to verify the cover, compare like-for-like quotes and speak to your existing insurer before the renewal date.
Can my insurer charge me more than a new customer at renewal?
FCA rules say the renewal price must not exceed the equivalent new-business price from the same insurer through the same channel. Other insurers and channels can still offer different prices.
Is the cheapest home insurance quote the best one?
Not automatically. Check rebuild and contents limits, excesses, exclusions, add-ons and the insurer's terms. A low price with unsuitable cover can be poor value.
Check the official guidance
Official FCA explanation of home and motor renewal pricing rules. MoneyHelper also advises checking the market rather than automatically renewing.
FCA: general insurance pricing practices ↗One bill. One decision.
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