How do I change my home insurance provider?

Key takeaways

• Switching your home insurance provider can save you money and get you better cover

• You can generally find the cheapest quotes 25^[1] days before your current policy expires

• You can switch insurer at any point, but if you change mid-policy you may be charged fees

How do I change my home insurance provider?

Here’s what you need to do:

💡 Top tip: If you don't want to switch but have found cheaper deals, you use your new quotes to negotiate a discount with your current provider.

When is the best time to switch my insurance providers?

Our data show that you can generally find the cheapest quotes 25^[1] days before your current policy expires. The most expensive time to renew is usually the day your current policy expires.

However, the cost saving isn't huge. On average you would save £5.35^[1] by renewing a month in advance.

Can I switch my insurance provider mid-policy?

Yes, you can change your home insurance provider at any point,.

However, if you cancel midway through a policy you may be charged cancellation fees and lose your no-claims discount for that year.

It may still worth switching mid-policy if the saving you'll make outweigh the costs, or if you want more comprehensive cover.

Should I switch home insurance providers if my circumstances change?

If you decide to move house or undertake major home renovations, or make a new purchase that affects your personal possessions cover, it's a good idea to reassess your home insurance policy to make sure it’s still offering what you need at a competitive price.

The same is true if you’ve had any incidents occur in your home, from burst pipes to subsidence.

Getting a new home insurance quote with your updated information might help you save money by changing provider or negotiating with your existing insurer.

💡 Top tip: Not telling your home insurer that you're doing home renovations can invalidate your insurance.

How can I avoid penalties or fees when switching provider?

Generally, you will only be charged fees if you switch mid-policy. Moving to a new home insurer after your current policy ends is cost free.

(Policies end after one year, although most home insurance is set up to automatically auto renew if you don't choose to switch.)

To take advantage of this, find out when your renewal date is - it will be on your policy documents. Your insurer must also inform you when you're about to start a new policy, so you will get a letter or email from them with the date in it a few weeks before.

💡 Top tip: Customers are legally entitled to a 14-day cooling off period when purchasing insurance products, during which you can cancel for free. This applies to auto-renewed policies. You can be charged for the days you've been insured for.

What are the benefits of switching home insurance providers?

The main benefit of switching providers is that you should be able to save some money on your home insurance premiums. Comparing quotes from different insurance companies means you’ll be able to find the best possible deal going.

You might find that other providers can offer certain other benefits, such as specialist add-ons or optional extras that your current provider doesn’t give you.

You will usually be able to transfer your no-claims discount to a new provider if you switch at the end of your policy.

Should I switch home insurance?

That depends on your circumstances. But reasons you might want to switch include:

• You feel like you're overpaying for your existing cover and want cheaper home insurance

• The service you've received from your current provider is sub-par

• You've found a policy that's better than your existing insurance and you want the extra protection