Cover for your home, done properly.

Buildings insurance covers the structure of your home — walls, roof, floors, and usually fitted kitchens and bathrooms. Contents insurance covers the things inside it that you'd take with you if you moved. Many policies combine the two, and if you own your home you'll generally want both.

It isn't required by law, but if you have a mortgage your lender will almost certainly require buildings insurance as a condition of the loan. Contents insurance is your choice — though replacing everything you own out of your own pocket is a sobering exercise.

More than most people first guess. The usual test is what it would cost to replace everything as new, room by room, including clothes, kitchen equipment and anything in the loft or garage. Under-insuring can mean a claim is only partly paid, so it's worth taking the time.

Not always as standard. Basic policies may cover it for buildings but not contents, or only in limited circumstances. If you have young children, pets or expensive flooring, it's usually worth adding — and we'll flag where a cheaper policy has quietly left it out.

Only if your policy includes personal possessions cover, which is often an optional extra. It covers things like a phone, laptop, jewellery or a bike when you're out and about. High-value single items usually need to be listed separately, so tell us about anything significant.

Standard policies generally cover both, but homes in higher-risk areas can find cover harder or more expensive to arrange, and some need a specialist insurer. If your property has any history of flooding, movement or unusual construction, tell us early and we'll search the right part of the market.