High Value Home Insurance
Compare cover for larger homes and valuable contents
- Cover for higher rebuild and contents values
- Compare quotes with one short form
- List jewellery, watches and art
High value home insurance is cover built for homes with a large rebuild cost, valuable contents or both. It usually offers higher limits for single items and more room for specialist repairs than a standard policy.
Is high value home insurance right for you?
A standard policy suits most homes. The table shows signs that you may have outgrown one.
| Sign | What it means for your cover | What to look at |
|---|---|---|
| Rebuild cost well above typical limits | Standard policies may cap the buildings sum | Specialist buildings cover |
| Jewellery, watches or art worth thousands | Single item limits may be far too low | Higher limits and listed items |
| A collection, such as wine or stamps | May be excluded or capped on standard cover | Named collection cover |
| A listed or period property | Repairs may need traditional materials | Non-standard home insurance |
| Several homes or a holiday property | Each may need its own policy | Holiday home insurance |
| Valuables you wear or carry abroad | Cover outside the home may be limited | Worldwide personal possessions cover |
How high value cover differs from standard home insurance
The main differences are in the limits and the way claims are settled.
| Feature | Typical standard policy | Typical high value policy |
|---|---|---|
| Single item limit | Lower, set per item | Higher, with listed items |
| Contents sum | Fixed bands or a set sum | Set to your full replacement value |
| Valuables away from home | Optional add-on | Often included worldwide |
| Repairs | Standard trades and materials | Specialist trades where needed |
Policies vary, so check each quote’s wording rather than relying on a label.
Valuing a high value home and its contents
The Association of British Insurers says getting the contents value right matters. If you underestimate it, you will not be fully covered if you claim.
Rebuild cost for large or unusual homes
Bespoke designs, high-spec finishes and specialist materials push the rebuild cost up. The Building Cost Information Service offers a tool for indicative rebuild costs, but a surveyor’s figure is safer for a high value home.
Valuations for jewellery, watches and art
Keep receipts, photographs and up-to-date valuations. Many insurers ask for them on items above a set amount, and they make a claim much quicker.
Security on a high value home
Insurers often set conditions for larger homes, such as an approved alarm, a safe for jewellery or locks of a set standard. Read these conditions before you buy. A claim can be cut or refused if the alarm was not set or the safe was not used.
Checklist before you compare high value home insurance
- A rebuild figure from a surveyor
- A room by room contents total
- A list of every item worth more than a standard single item limit
- Valuations or receipts for jewellery, watches and art
- Details of alarms, safes and any monitored security
- Any time the home is left empty, such as long trips abroad
Pros and cons of a specialist high value policy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Limits that match what you own | Premiums are higher than standard cover |
| Fewer gaps for valuables away from home | You may need valuations and better security |
| Repairs that suit a period or bespoke home | Fewer insurers to choose from |
Ian Wilson, Managing Director at Tiger.co.uk, says: “Check your single item limit against your three most valuable things. If any one is worth more, you need to list it or look at a higher limit.”
Comparing high value home cover with Tiger.co.uk
Tiger.co.uk compares home insurance quotes from over 40 UK providers with one short form, so you can see several prices for the same cover side by side. Tell the form your full rebuild cost and contents value, so the quotes you see reflect your home.
Not every insurer on the panel quotes for very high rebuild or contents values. If few or no quotes come back, a broker who arranges high net worth home cover may be able to help.
You can check any insurer on the FCA register. For a single piece of jewellery, jewellery insurance can be an alternative. For the standard options, see contents insurance or the home insurance hub.
Ready to see real prices? Start your high value home insurance quote with Tiger.co.uk. It takes a few minutes, and policies vary, so check the cover and excess on each quote before you choose.
What counts as a high value home for insurance?
There is no single cut-off. Insurers usually treat a home as high value when the rebuild cost or contents total is well above a typical policy limit. A home holding valuable art, jewellery or collections can count too.
Do I need to list valuable items separately?
Yes, if any single item is worth more than your policy’s single item limit. If you leave it off, the insurer may only pay up to that limit when you claim.
Do I need a valuation for jewellery and watches?
Most insurers ask for a valuation or receipt for items above a certain value. Get valuations updated every few years, as prices for gold, gems and watches can change.
Is high net worth home insurance the same as high value cover?
The terms are often used for the same thing. High net worth policies tend to be aimed at larger homes and collections, with higher limits and specialist claims handling.
Does high value contents cover protect items away from home?
Many policies include worldwide cover for jewellery and watches, but check the limit and whether you need to tell the insurer before you travel with them.
Can I insure a high value listed or period home?
Yes. Specialist policies often allow for traditional repair methods. Give the insurer a rebuild figure from a surveyor who knows period buildings, as standard calculators can miss those costs.
Fact-checked by Ian Wilson, Managing Director at Tiger.co.uk. 20+ years in price comparison; MEng, Queen’s University Belfast.
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