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Home insurance for over 80s
Compare quotes for over 80s home insurance
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What is over 80s home insurance?
Once you reach your 80s, you may find that your home insurance premiums are lower. This is because insurers calculate premiums based on risk—essentially, how likely they believe a policyholder is to make a claim and how costly that claim might be.
Statistically, older homeowners tend to be less risky in this regard. They are generally more cautious, spend more time at home, and maintain their property carefully, which reduces the likelihood of accidents or damage that could lead to a claim.
🚩 When claims are made by older homeowners, they are often smaller in value compared with claims from younger policyholders.
📌 For example, younger homeowners may be more likely to claim for things like accidental damage, home improvements gone wrong, or theft, whereas older homeowners typically make fewer and more modest claims.
Because insurers take both the frequency and cost of claims into account, this lower-risk profile can translate into cheaper premiums for homeowners in their 80s.
Homeowners aged 80 and above have a choice when it comes to insuring their property.
They can opt for a standard home insurance policy, which provides the same level of cover available to younger homeowners, or choose a policy specifically tailored for over-80s.
Do I need home insurance?
Even if you’re over 80 and your mortgage is fully paid off, home insurance can still be important. It protects against unexpected events like fire, floods, burst pipes, or subsidence that could otherwise be costly to repair.
Home insurance is also useful in everyday scenarios, such when family and carers stay in your home, as it can cover accidental damage to the building or belongings.
Policies can cover the building, the contents, or both. Buildings insurance protects the structure itself, contents insurance covers your possessions, and a combined policy provides both in one, often at a lower overall cost.
If you live in a retirement property, you might just need contents insurance as buildings insurance will usually be arranged for the block as a whole and paid for via service charges.
What does home insurance cover?
Home insurance for over-80s covers the same basic risks as standard home insurance but is tailored to the needs of older homeowners.
Buildings cover protects the structure of your home, including walls, roof, floors, and permanent fixtures, against risks like fire, flood, storm damage, or subsidence.
Contents cover protects personal belongings inside the home. For over-80s, this often includes items commonly used at this stage of life, such as mobility aids, stairlifts, medical equipment, walkers, wheelchairs, as well as furniture, electronics, and valuable personal items.
Accidental damage can sometimes be included or added, covering mishaps like spills, dropped items, or damage caused by carers or visiting family.
Combined policies cover both the building and contents, providing comprehensive protection and peace of mind for older homeowners.
What is covered – and what it not covered?
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What is usually covered?
Over-80s home insurance generally protects the building and/or contents against risks like fire, floods and storms, burglary or vandalism, burst pipes, and subsidence or ground heave.
Many policies also cover the cost of alternative accommodation if your home becomes uninhabitable.
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What isn't usually covered?
Policies typically exclude damage from wear and tear, negligence (like leaving doors unlocked), lack of maintenance, or incorrectly supplied information.
Homes that are unoccupied for extended periods, such as holiday lets, are also generally not covered.
How much is home insurance for over 80s?
Home insurance can often be cheaper, on average, for over-80s because insurers view older homeowners as lower risk. People in this age group are generally more settled, spend more time at home, and take good care of their property, which means fewer accidents, less chance of burglary, and fewer claims overall.
70+ years
£253
.85^
When older homeowners do make a claim, it’s usually for smaller amounts compared with younger policyholders, as they’re less likely to have high-value electronics or take on risky DIY projects. Insurers take these factors into account, so the likelihood and cost of claims are typically lower—resulting in reduced premiums.
However, prices can still vary depending on factors such as location, property age, and the level of cover chosen. For example, a listed building or a home in a flood-risk area may still attract higher premiums, even for over-80s
What affects the cost of home insurance for over 80s?
Several key factors affect the cost of home insurance for over-80s, and understanding them can help homeowners find the best value cover.
The biggest influences are location, property type, and rebuild cost. Homes in flood-prone or high-crime areas are more expensive to insure, as are older or listed properties that would cost more to repair or rebuild. The size and value of your contents also matter—larger homes or those with valuable belongings, like jewellery or antiques, push premiums up.
Your claims history and level of cover play a major role too. Fewer past claims usually mean lower premiums, while adding extras like accidental damage, personal possessions outside the home, or high-value item cover can increase the price. Although over-80s often benefit from cheaper premiums due to fewer and smaller claims, insurers still calculate costs individually—so two people of the same age can pay very different amounts depending on their home, lifestyle, and insurance needs.
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Our expert says…
If you’re over 80, your home is likely your most valuable asset, along with the possessions you’ve built up over a lifetime—so the right insurance is essential. Recent ABI data shows subsidence claims reached £60 million between April and June 2024, the highest on record, highlighting how costly damage can be.
Home insurance protects you from unexpected repair or replacement costs, and comparing quotes can help you find the best deal—51% of customers paid an average of £243.56
^ for combined buildings and contents cover in July 2024.
David McDermottroe Insurance & Personal Finance Expert
What optional extras can I get with over 80s home insurance?
When buying over-80s home insurance, you can add optional extras for extra peace of mind. These add-ons increase the premium slightly but can be well worth the cost, especially if they help you avoid large or unexpected bills later.
Home emergency cover (most valuable)
This is one of the most useful extras for older homeowners. It covers the cost of call-outs, labour, and parts for urgent repairs—such as burst pipes, broken locks, heating failures, or electrical issues—so you’re not left struggling to find and pay for help in an emergency.
Accidental damage cover (worth considering)
This protects against mishaps like spilling red wine on your carpet or breaking a window. It can cover repairs or replacements to your home and contents, depending on your level of cover, and offers good protection for common household accidents.
Legal expenses cover (optional but useful)
This pays for certain legal costs, such as boundary disputes or personal injury claims. It’s less frequently needed than emergency cover but can save significant expense if a legal issue does arise.
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How much cover do I need?
To calculate how much cover you need from your home insurance policy, you’ll need to calculate for:
How much it would cost to rebuild your property from the ground up, including materials and labour, but not the value of the land it’s built on
The total value of your home’s contents, and how much it would cost to replace every item
It’s vital to estimate the cover you need accurately, so you don’t risk being under-insured, especially if you have valuable possessions. Most insurance cover policies will insure single items up to a value of £1500 but possessions of greater value will need to be declared. If you have valuable items such as art or jewellery it’s vital that you tell your insurer, as you may benefit from taking out a specialist insurance policy specifically to cover your valuables.
Additionally, there may well be specific conditions relating to how you safeguard your valuables, such as by keeping them in a safe.
What type of home insurance cover can I get?
If you’re over 80 and own your home, you’ll usually need two main types of home insurance:
Buildings insurance – protects the structure of your home against risks like fire, flooding, subsidence, or storm damage. This cover is especially important if you wouldn’t be able to afford major repair or rebuild costs yourself.
Contents insurance – covers your belongings inside the home, including furniture, valuables, and items often used by older homeowners, such as mobility aids, medical equipment, or stairlifts.
You can buy these separately or as a combined buildings and contents policy, which is often cheaper and simpler to manage, as insurers usually offer a discount for taking both together.
If you live in a rented or retirement property, you may only need contents insurance, since buildings cover is often included in your rent or service charges.
How do I compare over 80s home insurance?
Comparing over-80s home insurance is easy, and focusing on the right features can help you find cover that truly meets your needs.
MoneySuperMarket lets you quickly compare policies that match your circumstances. Simply share a few details about yourself and your home, including whether you need buildings, contents, or combined cover, and if you want extras like home emergency or accidental damage protection.
When reviewing your options, look for policies that offer strong claims support, UK-based helplines, and accessible customer service, such as 24/7 phone lines or easy online claims portals. These features can make a big difference if you ever need to make a claim or get help quickly. Once you’ve found the right policy, you can click through to the provider to complete your purchase with confidence.
Does home insurance cover mobility scooters?
Your home insurance can cover mobility scooters and other mobility equipment such as wheelchairs and walking frames under your contents insurance. Many insurers will cover these items while they’re stored safely at home—such as in a garage, shed, or hallway—but not necessarily when they’re used or kept outside the home.
If you use your mobility scooter regularly away from home, for example while shopping or visiting friends, you may need specialist mobility scooter insurance to protect it against theft, accidental damage, or third-party liability when out and about.
Mobility aids that are fixed to your property, like ramps, stairlifts, or adapted baths and showers, are usually covered under buildings insurance because they’re considered permanent fixtures. Always tell your insurer about any such modifications so they can ensure these features are properly included in your cover.
Do I need home insurance if I live in a retirement home?
If you live in a retirement home or sheltered accommodation, you usually don’t need to arrange your own buildings insurance. This is typically organised by the housing association or management company that owns the property and included in your service or management fees. The buildings insurance will cover the structure of the property, shared areas, and fixtures such as fitted kitchens and bathrooms.
However, you may still want to take out contents insurance to protect your personal belongings—such as furniture, jewellery, electronics, or mobility equipment—from theft, fire, or accidental damage. Some management companies include a basic level of contents cover in their fees, but this can vary.
Before buying your own policy, check with your retirement home management company to confirm what’s already covered. Ask specifically whether contents insurance is included, if there are any limits on personal belongings, and whether mobility aids or valuable items are protected. This ensures you don’t pay twice for cover or leave anything important uninsured.
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One of the best ways to get the lowest prices and best deals is to compare quotes from different companies. We do the work for you, comparing quotes side-by-side and giving you all the information you need so you can choose the right deal for your needs and your wallet.
We don’t give recommendations or financial advice, but we give you clear information so you can choose financial products that suit your circumstances.
Does MoneySuperMarket work with all the providers on the market?
No, not every company can be included in our service. This is because some companies don’t want their products included on comparison sites, and some decide that they would rather not pay a fee. There are also a few smaller providers who can struggle to cope with the volume of customers that can find their products if they appear on MoneySuperMarket.
Our goal is to search deals from as wide a range of companies as possible so that you can choose the deal that suits you.
Is home insurance eligible for SuperSaveClub and rewards?
Yes, you can earn SuperSaveClub rewards when you buy home insurance through MoneySuperMarket.
This includes:
Up to £15, which you can withdraw as a pre-paid Mastercard or a gift card for brands like Sainsbury's and Amazon.co.uk
Free Days Out pass (worth £180), which gives free entry to a range of UK attractions
Cashback of up to 10% when you spend at brands including eBay, Just Eat and Argos
To earn SuperSaveClub rewards on purchases you must:
Sign up to SuperSaveClub (it's free)
Be signed in to your account when you make the purchase
More information can be found on our SuperSaveClub homepage.
Is home insurance eligible for Price Promise?
Yes, home insurance is included in our Super Save Price Promise.
If you buy through us then find the same deal for less we will:
refund the difference
give you a gift card worth up to £20
Terms and conditions apply. More information can be found on our Price Promise page.
Reviewed on 12 Dec 2025 by
