New build home insurance
Compare buildings and contents insurance for your brand-new home
Home insurance for new builds
New build homes are usually protected by a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty that covers issues relating to building work carried out by the developer.
Home insurance will cover your house and possessions for damage and losses outside of the control of you or the builder - things like fires, floods and storm damage.
If you’ve bought your new build with a mortgage, you’ll need to have buildings insurance - your lender will require you to have it from exchange of contracts on your new build.
Why do I need home insurance for my new build?
Just because your house is brand new doesn’t mean it’s not as vulnerable to damage as any other.
After you move in and start using the new features, some of them might not work as they should.
You’ll have warranties and guarantees for the build and appliances, but home insurance gives you immediate help and protects you from sudden, unexpected events outside your control.
You can get buildings cover, which protects the structure and permanent fittings, and contents insurance for your belongings.
Buildings and contents insurance can be bought together as a single home insurance policy, or separately, depending on your needs.
Free £250 home excess cover, only with GoCompare^
If you need to claim on your home insurance - for example, if your building is damaged by subsidence or your possessions are stolen - your free home excess cover will refund up to £250 of your excess.
There’s no hidden charge. But you won't be covered for things like accidental loss such as leaving a laptop on a train or accidental damage, such as spilling wine on your carpet or drilling through a pipe.
^UK residents and home insurance purchases only. Excess refunded after claim settled. Excludes accidental loss or damage claims made on your home insurance. Full T&Cs apply.
How to buy home insurance for a new build
Taking out new build insurance is the same as buying home insurance for any other property. Get quotes with us by filling in a few details about you and your new home.
The only thing that might be slightly different is that some insurers might not recognise your postcode. This is because your home is so new it’s not been logged on that insurer’s database yet. If this happens, you can either contact the insurer directly, or shop around for another provider.
To check whether your postcode has been registered, use the Royal Mail’s postcode finder. If you can’t find it, you can let Royal Mail know so it can update the database.
New build home insurance guarantees
Most new build homes will come with a guarantee from the builder and one from a specialist guarantee provider. The guarantee from your builder will cover you for a fixed period where you’re able to raise any issues.
The most common warranty offered by a provider is the Buildmark, which comes from the National House Building Council (NHBC). The Buildmark covers you if your builder goes bankrupt before your home's finished, and it’ll also cover any problems within the first two years that aren’t wear and tear. For the next three to 10 years you’ll be covered for structural problems.
Just because your new home has a Buildmark, this doesn’t mean you won’t need home insurance. Unlike Buildmark, home insurance covers damage that's outside of the control of you or the builder. Things like fires, floods and storm damage.
Are new homes cheaper to insure?
Sometimes, because new homes are built with all the latest technology. Which means they cost less to run and they’re often fitted with more secure doors, windows and locks. You'll get cheaper insurance quotes if your home's less likely to be broken into too.
This isn’t always the case though, which is why it’s a good idea to compare home insurance quotes from a range of insurers to find cover that suits your needs. As well as comparing prices, you could also save money on your home insurance by paying annually and building up your no-claims discount.
Home insurance guides and tools
You may also be interested in
Pet insurance
Find the right policy for you and your pet when you compare pet insurance
Pet insurance
Life insurance
Ease the financial impact that your death could have on your loved ones
Life insurance
Broadband
Find great deals on the market and get a fast connection for less
Broadband