Compare the Market Home Insurance – 2025 Quotes and Savings Guide

Finding the right home insurance in the UK can feel like a maze of quotes, cover types, and small print. Compare the Market has become one of the most recognised ways to navigate this, promising savings and choice. This guide examines how the platform works, what it costs, and what experts like Martin Lewis advise when seeking the cheapest deals in 2025.

Home insurance is not a legal requirement in the UK, but mortgage lenders generally insist on buildings cover. Whether you own a house, live in a flat, or rent, protecting your belongings and the structure itself is a core financial decision. Comparison sites have transformed how people shop for this cover, and Compare the Market sits at the centre of that shift.

The market has evolved considerably since the early 2000s. Today, a homeowner can enter their details once and see quotes from dozens of insurers. But knowing which site to use, when to buy, and what to include in the policy requires more than a quick glance at the cheapest price. This article breaks down the process using the latest available data and expert guidance.

How do I compare home insurance quotes on Compare the Market?

The process is straightforward but requires accurate information to get meaningful results. Users enter details about their property, its rebuild cost or contents value, and any security features. The platform then returns quotes from its panel of providers.

To get an accurate quote, you will need your property’s rebuild value rather than its market price. The Association of British Insurers provides guidance on calculating rebuild costs. For contents insurance, a room-by-room inventory of possessions helps avoid underinsurance.

Compare the Market compares 28 trusted providers, including many of the UK’s best-known insurers. The platform allows you to compare buildings only, contents only, or combined policies in a single search. Once you select a quote, you are redirected to the insurer’s site to complete the purchase.

Key insights from the comparison process

• Compare the Market is the UK’s most used price comparison site for home insurance
• Typical savings quoted are up to £200, but actual savings depend on individual circumstances
• Martin Lewis (MoneySavingExpert) recommends comparing at least three sites including Compare the Market
• Over 50s home insurance can be cheaper through dedicated policies
• Using a home insurance calculator helps tailor coverage to your needs
• Quotes obtained 15 days before renewal tend to be the cheapest
• Bundling buildings and contents cover often reduces the overall premium

Snapshot of key facts

Is Compare the Market the best home insurance comparison site?

Compare the Market is the most used price comparison site for home insurance in the UK, but being the most popular does not automatically mean it always finds the cheapest quote for every household. The answer depends on what you are looking for and how you approach the comparison.

How does Compare the Market compare to other sites?

The major comparison platforms each have slightly different panels of insurers. MoneySuperMarket sometimes shows lower starting prices, while GoCompare includes a broader range of specialist providers. Confused.com also competes strongly on price. No single site covers every insurer, which is why experts recommend checking at least two or three.

Pros and cons of using Compare the Market for home insurance

On the positive side, the site has a large panel of providers, a simple interface, and a well-known brand that many users trust. It also offers a home insurance calculator to help estimate rebuild costs and contents values. On the downside, it does not include every insurer, and the cheapest deal may sometimes appear on a rival platform. The advertised savings of up to £200 are illustrative rather than guaranteed.

Users with non-standard homes, such as listed buildings or properties in flood-risk areas, may find that comparison sites offer limited options. In those cases, a specialist broker may be a better route.

What is the cheapest home insurance in the UK?

There is no single cheapest provider that works for everyone. Prices vary by postcode, property type, rebuild cost, claims history, and security features. However, the data available for 2025 gives a clear picture of the range you can expect.

How can I save money on home insurance?

Several strategies can reduce premiums significantly. Paying annually rather than monthly avoids interest charges. Increasing your voluntary excess lowers the premium, though you will pay more out of pocket if you claim. Building a no-claims discount over several years can reduce costs by up to 50% or more.

Security upgrades such as five-lever BS-approved locks, burglar alarms, smoke detectors, and doorbell cameras can reduce premiums by 5% to 20%. Insurers view these as lowering the risk of theft and damage. Accurate valuation also matters: over-insuring wastes money, while under-insuring risks a claim being rejected.

Haggling with your current insurer at renewal can also work. Calling with competitor quotes in hand often leads to price matching or a discount, potentially saving hundreds of pounds.

What does Martin Lewis say about getting cheap home insurance?

Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert, is emphatic: never auto-renew. Insurers count on customer inertia to raise prices. His updated guide for 2025 ranks strategies clearly, with timing as the first factor. Getting a quote 15 days before your renewal date typically yields the lowest prices.

He also recommends using the MSE Compare+ tool, which pulls quotes from over 100 policies. After finding a competitive quote, double-check the policy details, especially the excess level and what is actually covered. For non-standard homes, such as those in flood zones, he advises going through a broker rather than relying solely on comparison sites.

What types of home insurance cover does Compare the Market offer?

The platform covers the three main types of home insurance: buildings only, contents only, and combined buildings and contents. It also offers tailored policies for over 50s, which often include enhanced personal possessions cover for items such as jewellery and hearing aids.

What is the difference between buildings and contents insurance?

Buildings insurance covers the structure of your home, including walls, roof, floors, and permanent fixtures such as kitchens and bathrooms. It also covers outbuildings like garages and sheds. The sum insured should be based on the rebuild cost, not the market value of the property. The Association of British Insurers and the BCIS (Building Cost Information Service) provide calculators for this.

Contents insurance covers your belongings, from furniture and electronics to clothing and valuables. High-value items such as jewellery, art, or expensive watches may need to be listed separately. Some policies, such as John Lewis Premier, offer unlimited contents cover with a limit of £3,000 per item for personal possessions.

Are there any special home insurance deals for over 50s?

Several providers offer policies tailored to older homeowners. These often assume lower theft risk and may include higher contents cover due to accumulated possessions. GoCompare’s guide to over 50s home insurance highlights that no-claims discounts can build faster for this age group, and personal possessions cover is often enhanced.

How much home insurance do I need?

For buildings insurance, you need enough cover to rebuild the property from scratch. This is almost always less than the market value. The BCIS rebuild cost calculator is a reliable tool for this estimate. For contents insurance, a room-by-room inventory of everything you own helps set the right sum. It is wise to include the cost of replacing all items at current prices.

If you live in a rented property, buildings insurance is the landlord’s responsibility, but contents insurance remains your own. Tenants should insure their furniture, electronics, clothing, and other possessions.

How has home insurance price comparison changed over time?

The home insurance comparison market in the UK has developed significantly over the past two decades. The timeline below shows key milestones that shaped how consumers shop for cover today.

1. 2003 – Compare the Market launched in the UK, entering a market then dominated by direct insurers and brokers.
2. 2008 – Martin Lewis launched MoneySavingExpert.com, which quickly became a leading consumer guide for cheap home insurance.
3. 2012 – Major comparison sites began offering dedicated over 50s policies, recognising the different risk profile and needs of older homeowners.
4. 2020 – The COVID-19 pandemic drove a surge in online comparison usage as more people managed finances from home.
5. 2025 – Current market: Compare the Market compares 28 providers, AI-driven quote engines are common, and price transparency regulation from the FCA requires insurers to show previous year’s premiums at renewal.

The Financial Conduct Authority now requires insurers to display last year’s premium prominently on renewal documents, making it harder for companies to raise prices without customers noticing. This regulation, introduced in recent years, has increased price competition.

What is certain and uncertain about home insurance comparison?

Understanding what is well established and what remains variable helps set realistic expectations when shopping for cover.

What factors shape the home insurance comparison market?

Home insurance comparison is a mature and competitive market in the UK. Compare the Market competes primarily on provider count and brand recognition. However, users should not rely solely on one site. Cross-comparing across multiple platforms and considering bundling options can lead to better deals.

Key factors that influence premiums include the property’s location, rebuild cost, security measures, claims history, and the level of excess chosen. Policy exclusions and the insurer’s reputation for handling claims are equally important but harder to compare in a simple price list.

Martin Lewis summarises the expert consensus: “Always compare at least the top three comparison sites and check cashback sites.” This approach maximises the chance of finding both a low premium and a reliable insurer.

What does Martin Lewis say about home insurance comparison?

Martin Lewis and his team at MoneySavingExpert have published extensive guidance on home insurance, updated regularly for 2025. Their core message is that most people overpay by sticking with the same insurer year after year.

“Save £100s on your home insurance with Martin Lewis’ guide. Compare 100+ buildings insurance quotes from top providers.”

— MoneySavingExpert (Martin Lewis)

The MSE guide ranks comparison sites by their ability to deliver low quotes. It recommends using cashback versions of sites first, then adding Compare the Market and GoCompare, and finally checking non-comparison insurers such as Aviva and Direct Line. The MSE Compare+ tool allows users to see over 100 quotes in one place.

“Save up to £200 on your home insurance with Compare the Market, the UK’s most used price comparison website.”

— Compare the Market official site

A Martin Lewis video guide demonstrates the process of opening multiple comparison sites simultaneously and copying details between them to save time. He also warns that non-standard homes, such as those with flat roofs or in flood zones, may need a broker rather than a comparison site.

“Super Save up to £196 when you compare quotes with MoneySuperMarket.”

— MoneySuperMarket

What should you do next?

If your renewal is approaching, the best time to act is around 15 days before the policy end date. Use a combination of comparison sites, including Compare the Market, and check cashback portals for additional savings. Set a calendar reminder to re-compare every 12 months, and always read the policy small print before switching. For those aged 50 or over, dedicated policies may offer better value, particularly if you have accumulated high-value possessions or live in a home with existing security features.

Frequently asked questions