Your home is one of your most valuable assets, so protecting it with the right home insurance is essential. Whether you’re buying your first property, moving home, remortgaging, or simply reviewing your current policy, having the right level of cover can provide valuable peace of mind should the unexpected happen.
At Empire Mortgages, we provide expert advice on home insurance for homeowners across Dunfermline and Fife. We take the time to understand your property, your belongings, and your individual circumstances, helping you find suitable cover that protects both your home and everything inside it.
Home insurance is designed to protect your property and your belongings against unexpected events such as fire, flooding, theft, storms, or accidental damage. Depending on the policy you choose, it can cover the structure of your home, your personal possessions, or both.
While every property owner’s needs are different, the right home insurance policy provides financial protection should something go wrong. Repairing damage or replacing valuable belongings can be expensive, making suitable insurance an important part of protecting your financial wellbeing.
Many mortgage lenders also require buildings insurance to be in place before your mortgage completes, making it an essential consideration when purchasing a property.
Buildings Insurance – Buildings insurance protects the physical structure of your property. This includes the walls, roof, floors, ceilings, windows, doors, and permanent fixtures such as fitted kitchens and bathrooms. Many policies also include cover for garages, driveways, fences, sheds, and other permanent structures within your property’s boundary. If your home is damaged by events such as fire, flooding, storms, vandalism, or subsidence, buildings insurance can help cover the cost of repairs or rebuilding, subject to the terms of your policy.
Contents Insurance – Contents insurance protects the belongings inside your home. This includes furniture, televisions, laptops, clothing, kitchen appliances, jewellery, and many other personal possessions. If your belongings are stolen, damaged, or destroyed following an insured event, contents insurance helps cover the cost of repairing or replacing them. When arranging contents insurance, it’s important to accurately estimate the value of everything you own. Underestimating this figure could leave you underinsured if you ever need to make a claim.
Combined Buildings & Contents Insurance – Many homeowners choose a combined buildings and contents insurance policy, bringing both types of cover together under one policy. This can often simplify administration, provide comprehensive protection for both your property and possessions, and may even prove more cost-effective than arranging separate policies. Empire Mortgages can help you understand the differences between individual and combined policies so you can choose the option that best suits your needs.
Unlike car insurance, home insurance is not a legal requirement in the UK. However, if you have a mortgage, your lender will almost always require buildings insurance before releasing mortgage funds.
This protects both you and the lender by ensuring the property can be repaired or rebuilt if significant damage occurs.
Even if you own your property outright without a mortgage, home insurance remains highly recommended. Unexpected events such as flooding, fire, escape of water, or burglary can result in substantial repair or replacement costs that many homeowners would struggle to meet themselves.
Having appropriate cover provides reassurance that your finances are protected if the unexpected happens.
The exact level of cover varies between insurers, but most home insurance policies provide protection against a wide range of unexpected events.
Buildings insurance commonly covers damage caused by fire, lightning, storms, flooding, escape of water, burst pipes, subsidence, vandalism, and vehicle impact.
Contents insurance generally protects your belongings against theft, accidental fire damage, water damage, and certain types of accidental loss depending on the policy selected.
Many insurers also provide additional benefits, such as temporary accommodation if your property becomes uninhabitable following an insured event.
While home insurance provides valuable protection, it’s equally important to understand what is not normally included.
Most standard policies do not cover general wear and tear, poor maintenance, gradual deterioration, pest infestations, or damage caused by faulty workmanship. Cosmetic improvements and routine maintenance also remain the homeowner’s responsibility.
Many insurers exclude pre-existing damage that occurred before the policy started, and there may be restrictions if a property is left unoccupied for an extended period.
Certain high-value items may also require additional cover if they exceed standard policy limits.
Understanding these exclusions before arranging your insurance helps avoid surprises if you ever need to make a claim. Our advisers explain policy wording clearly, ensuring you understand both the protection provided and any limitations that may apply.
The cost of home insurance varies depending on several factors, including the type of property you own, where it is located, its rebuild value, and the level of cover you choose. Your claims history, security features, excess amount, and whether you require additional optional cover can also affect your premium.
For example, homes fitted with approved burglar alarms or secure locks may benefit from lower premiums, while older properties or homes in areas with a higher risk of flooding may cost more to insure.
It’s important to remember that the cheapest policy isn’t always the best option. The level of protection, policy limits, exclusions, and claims service can vary significantly between insurers. Choosing a policy based purely on price could leave you underinsured if you ever need to make a claim.
Many home insurance policies can be enhanced with optional extras to provide broader protection based on your lifestyle and circumstances.
Accidental damage cover can protect against mishaps such as spilling paint on carpets or damaging kitchen worktops. Home emergency cover may help with urgent issues including boiler breakdowns, plumbing emergencies, or electrical failures.
Legal expenses insurance can provide financial assistance if legal disputes arise relating to your property, while personal possessions cover protects valuable items when they are taken outside the home.
Cyclists may wish to insure expensive bicycles, while homeowners with valuable jewellery, watches, artwork, or collectibles should ensure these items are appropriately declared and covered.
Choosing the right optional extras depends on your individual circumstances. At Empire Mortgages, we’ll help you build a home insurance policy that reflects your property, your belongings, and your budget without paying for cover you don’t need.
The cost of home insurance varies depending on several factors, including the type of property you own, where it is located, its rebuild value, and the level of cover you choose. Your claims history, security features, excess amount, and whether you require additional optional cover can also affect your premium.
For example, homes fitted with approved burglar alarms or secure locks may benefit from lower premiums, while older properties or homes in areas with a higher risk of flooding may cost more to insure.
It’s important to remember that the cheapest policy isn’t always the best option. The level of protection, policy limits, exclusions, and claims service can vary significantly between insurers. Choosing a policy based purely on price could leave you underinsured if you ever need to make a claim.
Not all home insurance policies provide the same level of protection. While two policies may appear similar, differences in cover limits, excess amounts, exclusions, and optional benefits can have a significant impact if you need to make a claim.
Comparing policies carefully allows you to find cover that reflects your property, possessions, and lifestyle rather than simply choosing the lowest premium.
Our advisers take the time to understand your individual circumstances before recommending suitable home insurance options. This ensures your policy provides the protection you need without paying for unnecessary extras.
Whether you’re arranging insurance for a new purchase or reviewing an existing policy, professional advice can help you make an informed decision.
Every homeowner’s circumstances are different, which is why home insurance should be tailored to your individual needs.
First-Time Buyers – Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but arranging buildings insurance is often a condition of your mortgage offer. We help first-time buyers understand what cover is required and explain the difference between buildings and contents insurance before completion.
Home Movers – Moving home is the ideal time to review your insurance. A new property may have different rebuild costs, security features, or insurance requirements, making it important to ensure your policy remains suitable.
Buy to Let Landlords –Landlords often require specialist insurance designed for rental properties. Standard home insurance may not provide appropriate cover if the property is let to tenants, so landlord insurance should always be considered.
New Build Homes – Although new build properties often benefit from structural warranties, appropriate buildings and contents insurance remains essential. We can help you arrange suitable protection from the day you receive your keys.
High-Value Homes – If your property contains valuable jewellery, artwork, antiques, or designer furniture, additional cover may be required. We’ll help ensure your policy reflects the true value of your home and possessions.
At Empire Mortgages, we believe protecting your home is just as important as securing the right mortgage.
With over 60 years of combined industry experience, our advisers provide clear, honest, and personalised advice tailored to your circumstances. We take the time to understand your property, explain your options in plain English, and help you choose cover that offers genuine peace of mind.
Our commitment to excellent customer service means you’ll receive support throughout the process, whether you’re arranging home insurance for the first time or reviewing an existing policy.
Appointments are available in person, over the phone, or via video call, making it easy to receive expert advice at a time that suits you.
Your home is one of your biggest investments, and having the right insurance in place can provide valuable financial protection when you need it most.
Whether you’re buying your first home, moving house, remortgaging, or simply reviewing your current policy, Empire Mortgages is here to help you arrange suitable home insurance that meets your needs.
Most mortgage lenders require buildings insurance to be in place before your mortgage completes. This protects the property, which acts as security for the mortgage.
Buildings insurance protects the structure of your property, while contents insurance covers your personal belongings inside the home. Many homeowners choose a combined policy for complete protection.
Many home insurance policies include flood cover, although this can depend on your property’s location, flood history, and the insurer’s underwriting criteria.
Accidental damage is often available as an optional extra. This can provide protection for unexpected incidents such as damaging flooring, spilling paint, or breaking fixed household items.
A good starting point is to calculate the total cost of replacing everything you own, including furniture, electronics, clothing, and valuables. Underestimating this amount could leave you underinsured.
Yes. Many homeowners review their insurance each year to ensure they continue receiving suitable cover and competitive premiums. We can help you compare your options when your renewal is due.
Recommend a friend who is new to Empire Mortgages and if they then take out their mortgage with us, you’ll each receive £50 worth of vouchers.
The guidance provided within this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime and is therefore primarily targeted at consumers based in the UK.
Empire Mortgages Ltd is an Appointed Representative of PRIMIS Mortgage Network, a trading name of TenetLime Ltd. TenetLime Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Tenet Lime Ltd is entered on the Financial Services Register (www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 150643.
Empire Mortgages Ltd may charge a fee for mortgage advice. The amount of the fee will depend on your circumstances and will be discussed and agreed with you at the earliest opportunity. Our typical fee is £295 payable on receipt of a full mortgage offer.
Registered in Scotland under reference SC545434
Registered office address: Unit 9, Flexspace, Pitreavie Business Park, Dunfermline, KY11 8UU
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