Home insurance
Defaqto 5 Star rated Gold and Platinum home insurance
Get more when you buy from us directly
You're in the right place for higher limits and our best-rated insurance
Our highest limits for alternative accommodation
£1,000 Home Emergency limit (optional for Silver and Gold)
£5 million personal liability included with Platinum
Get more when you buy from us directly
You're in the right place for higher limits and our best-rated insurance
Our highest limits for alternative accommodation
£1,000 Home Emergency limit (optional for Silver and Gold)
No admin fees for any changes made to an active policy
Manage your insurance online
Sign in and you can:
- Continue a previous quote
- Make a claim, report an incident and get updates
- Download your certificates and documents
- Make changes to your cover 24/7
- Renew your insurance
How does home insurance work?
Our home insurance comes in two parts, which can be bought separately or together. Which cover you'll need depends on a variety of reasons, including if you’re a homeowner or renter, and the type of property, such as a freehold house or leasehold flat.
Buildings and contents
This is your typical homeowner insurance, which covers damage to the property itself and the items inside the house.
Buildings only insurance
Covers the main structures of your home, including permanent fixtures. This is often a requirement of any mortgage.
Contents only insurance
Covers your possessions within your home. This might be suitable if you rent, lease or already have buildings insurance.
Direct cover levels
We have three cover levels available for each type of home insurance with varying policy limits. Use the table to compare and see whats right for you.
silver
Simple cover, higher excess
- Lower limits and higher excesses (it will cost you more if you need to claim)
- Optional extras to enhance your cover
gold
Go beyond the basics
- Comprehensive cover limits
- Optional extras to enhance your cover
platinum
All extras and max cover limits
- Our highest cover limits
- Includes Accidental Damage, Home Emergency cover and Family Legal Protection
Compare cover limits
Get to know what's included before you choose your cover.
| Silver | Gold | Platinum | |
|---|---|---|---|
Buildings sum insured
More about buildings sum insuredThis is the rebuild cost for your home. It's different from your home's market value or council tax band, as those include the value of the land. If something happens to your home and the structure needs to be rebuilt, your buildings sum insured is is the upper limit of what you can claim. It covers permanent fixtures and fittings both outside and inside, including kitchen units, patios, garden walls, gates, fences and outbuildings. Get an idea of how much you might need using the rebuild cost calculator from the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS). Full details are in your policy document. |
Up to £750,000 | Up to £1 million | Unlimited |
Contents sum insured
More about contents sum insuredIf something happens to your contents and they need to be replaced, this is the upper limit of what you can claim. This might be an appliance or an antique, a bed or a bicycle. Whatever the type of thing, if it's part of your home contents (but not your car or something of your landlord's), this is the sum that covers it. Full details are in your policy document. |
Up to £50,000 | Up to £175,000 | Up to £175,000 |
Trace and access (buildings)
More about trace and accessIf a water leak or oil leak is causing damage and part of your building needs removing to get to the source of the leak, we'll cover the cost. That means both the removal, and the cost of getting things back to normal. We won't cover the thing that's leaking, such as a tank, pipe, appliance or heating system. Full details are in your policy document. |
Up to £2,500 | Up to £5,000 | Up to £10,000 |
Service pipes and cables
More about service pipes and cablesFor pipes and cables that run underground to service your home, and for which you're legally responsible, we'll cover accidental damage. The same goes for tanks and drains. Full details are in your policy document. |
Up to £2,000 | Up to £1 million | Unlimited |
Theft from outbuildings (contents)
More about theft from outbuildingsCover for items that are stolen (or damaged during a theft) from your garage or other outbuilding that's part of your home. Full details are in your policy document. |
Up to £1,000 | Up to £5,000 | Up to £7,500 |
Personal possessions
More about personal possessionsYou can add cover for items that you normally wear or carry when you're out and about. This means items worth £2,000 or less each, such as phones, watches, glasses and sports equipment. For Home and Home Plus customers, the cover includes up to 60 days abroad in any one policy year. Full details are in your policy document. |
Optional Up to £2,000 single item limit (UK only) |
Optional Up to £2,000 single item limit (UK and 60 days Worldwide) |
Included Up to £4,000 single item limit (UK and 60 days Worldwide) |
Alternative accommodation for you and your pets
More about alternative accommodationIf we've accepted a claim, and the repairs mean you can't stay at home, talk to us about your plans for somewhere else to stay. Once we've agreed the costs with you, we'll cover where you're staying and kennel fees for any pets, as well as lost rent. The same applies if your home is occupied by squatters. Full details are in your policy document. |
Buildings up to £50,000 Contents up to £30,000 |
Buildings up to £75,000 Contents up to £50,000 |
Buildings up to £125,000 Contents up to £75,000 |
Matching sets and suites
More about matching sets and suitesFor bathroom suites or fitted kitchens, if you've got a set or a suite of which one part is damaged beyond repair, we'll aim to replace that part. For bathroom suites or fitted kitchens, if you've got a set or a suite of which one part is damaged beyond repair, we'll aim to replace that part. Full details are in your policy document. |
Included | ||
Property Owner's Liability
More about Property Owner's LiabilityWe'll cover the damages you have to pay for accidental harm to someone else or their property, up to the relevant cover limit. We may also cover expenses and legal fees, where we've agreed this in writing beforehand. Full details are in your policy document. |
Up to £1 million | Up to £2 million | Up to £5 million |
Accidental Damage (buildings)
More about accidental damage (buildings)This covers things that happen to your buildings suddenly, unexpectedly and unintentionally. It’s not for general wear and tear, or things that just break down. Buildings examples include:
Full details are in your policy document. |
Optional | Optional | Included |
Frozen food
More about frozen foodIf the food in your fridge or freezer gets spoiled because of the appliance having an unexpected temperature change or refrigerant leak, we'll cover the cost of any spoiled food. Full details are in your policy document. |
Up to £500 | Up to Contents Sum Insured | Up to Contents Sum Insured |
Accidental Damage (contents)
More about accidental damage (contents)This covers things that happen to your contents suddenly, unexpectedly and unintentionally. It’s not for general wear and tear, or things that just break down. Contents examples include:
Full details are in your policy document. |
Optional | Optional | Included |
Home Emergency cover
More about Home Emergency coverNew parts, labour and callout charges are all included for emergency repairs up to £1,000 per callout. (For customers that purchased a Direct Line Home Insurance policy with Home Emergency cover pre-15th August 2026 and are yet to renew, a £500 limit applies). Examples include:
Full details are in your policy document. |
Optional | Optional | Included |
Family Legal Protection
More about Family Legal ProtectionGet cover for legal costs if there’s a greater than 50% chance of success. With 24/7 access to legal assistance. Examples include:
Full details are in your policy document. |
Optional | Optional | Included |
What am I covered for?
Accomodation
Somewhere for you and your family to stay if an event means you can't live at home
Damage
Damage caused by fire, lighting, storm or flood, theft, vandalism and more
Locks and keys
Locks and keys for outside doors replaced if they're lost or stolen
What am I not covered for?
Wear and tear
Wear and tear, maintenance and routine decoration
Faults
The cost of repairing or replacing items following a mechanical or electrical fault
House unoccupied
Damage or theft if the house has been unoccupied for more than 60 days in a row
Reasons to choose Direct Line Home Insurance
Direct Line has been selling home insurance for over 35 years, so we’re confident we know what we’re doing.
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We'll act fast to replace your tech
We're ready to send replacements for everyday items like phones and laptops within two hours of an approved claim - reconnecting you ASAP.
Theft and accidental loss claims. Cover limits apply. Personal Possessions cover needed for items taken outside the home.
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12 month buildings repair guarantee
Trusted repairers, guaranteed peace of mind. If you make a claim on our Buildings cover, our verified repairers carry out the work - and it comes with a 12-month guarantee.
Direct Line has been selling home insurance for over 35 years, so we’re confident we know what we’re doing.
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We'll act fast to replace your tech
We're ready to send replacements for everyday items like phones and laptops within two hours of an approved claim - reconnecting you ASAP.
Theft and accidental loss claims. Cover limits apply. Personal Possessions cover needed for items taken outside the home.
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12 month buildings repair guarantee
Trusted repairers, guaranteed peace of mind. If you make a claim on our Buildings cover, our verified repairers carry out the work - and it comes with a 12-month guarantee.
if you have Direct Line Car Insurance
This is an introductory discount and will be included in the price we quote. Excludes add-ons.
Get a home insurance quote
Are you a landlord?
Whether it's flexible options or specialist legal advice you need, our landlord insurance has been designed with buy-to-let owners in mind.
Find out more about landlord insuranceFrequently asked questions
You can find this in your policy schedule, which is in your account.
We've recently renamed our product levels when you come direct to Direct Line: Silver, Gold and Platinum. These have replaced the previous names (Home Essentials, Home Insurance and Home Insurance Plus). Look out for more details by email or in the post, depending on how you've chosen to get updates from us.
Price Comparison Website Customers:
For our price comparison website only products (Essentials, Standard and Premium), you can find all your relevant insurance details within your account and policy schedule.
If you choose to renew automatically, your renewal won't be any higher than if your policy isn't set up for automatic renewal.
If you don't select automatic renewal, you'll still get a renewal invite before your policy end date. However, cover will stop on the policy end date if you haven't contacted us to renew it.
If you do choose the convenience of automatic renewal, then you will not need to contact us next year to renew your policy.
If you're buying a new home insurance policy
The greater the risk of loss and damage to your home and belongings, the higher your insurance quote is likely to be. Your premium is based on several factors relating to you, your home and the value of your items.
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Where you live
It could be that you live in a city with a higher crime rate, a woodland area affected by tree roots, or a rural location exposed to severe weather conditions.
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Size of your house
If you live in a large house, the cost to have it rebuilt is likely to increase the buildings element of your quote.
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How close you are to water
Due to a higher risk of flooding, homes near rivers or coastlines are generally more expensive to insure.
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Age and property structure
The age of your property and materials used to build your house can have a huge impact on your quote. For example, wooded structures are particularly vulnerable to fire, termites and rot.
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Your lifestyle
Factors like your age, whether you’re married with children, or if you’re away from home for long periods of time can all have an impact on your quote.
If you're renewing your insurance
There are many reasons why the cost of your home insurance premium may have changed on renewal, with some having a bigger impact than others.
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Previous claims
Your claims history is taken into consideration when pricing your policy. If you’ve made a claim in the previous year this could result in an increased premium.
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Inflation
Inflation increases the price of goods and services, impacting Direct Line’s claims and general expenses. Policy premiums will reflect such changes.
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Crime rate
A spate of crimes resulting in more home insurance claims could see premiums increase to reflect the new risk level of your home’s location.
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Severe weather
Periods of extreme weather, such as prolonged cold or rain, can result in an increase in customer claims. This can lead insurers to review the likely cost of future claims.
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Changes to Insurance Premium Tax (IPT)
You don’t pay VAT on insurance, instead you’ll be charged Insurance Premium Tax (IPT). This is included in your premium, so any changes to the rate will affect what you pay.
Yes.
- Direct Line Silver with buildings cover gets up to £50,000
- Direct Line Gold with buildings cover gets up to £75,000
- Direct Line Platinum with buildings cover gets up to £125,000
For the cost of comparable, alternative accommodation, kennel fees for pets and lost rent. This applies if all or part of your home is not fit to be lived in when a valid claim has been made, or your home is occupied by squatters.
- Direct Line Silver with contents cover gets up to £30,000
- Direct Line Gold with contents cover gets up to £50,000
- Direct Line Platinum with contents cover gets up to £75,000
For the cost of comparable, alternative accommodation, kennel fees for pets and the temporary storage of your contents. This applies if all or part of your home is not fit to be lived in when a valid claim has been made.
For customers that purchased a Direct Line Home Insurance policy pre-15th August 2026 and are yet to renew
Yes. Direct Line Home Essentials and Home Insurance customers with buildings cover get up to £25,000 for the cost of comparable, alternative accommodation, kennel fees for pets and lost rent. This applies if all or part of your home is not fit to be lived in when a valid claim has been made, or your home is occupied by squatters. Cover is up to £50,000 with Home Insurance Plus.
Direct Line Home Essentials and Home Insurance customers with contents cover get up to £15,000 for the cost of comparable, alternative accommodation, kennel fees for pets and the temporary storage of your contents. This applies if all or part of your home is not fit to be lived in when a valid claim has been made. Cover is up to £30,000 with Home Insurance Plus.
If you're selling your home, the buildings section of our Direct Line Gold and Platinum policies automatically cover the buyer up to the date that the sale completes. Direct Line Silver policies do not contain this cover.
No matter your cover, if you need insurance for a new property you're in the process of buying or a property you've already moved into, you'll need to speak to our customer services team on 0345 246 3564.
For customers that purchased a Direct Line Home Insurance policy pre-15th August 2026 and are yet to renew
If you're selling your home, the buildings section of our Home Insurance and Home Insurance Plus policies automatically cover the buyer up to the date that the sale completes. Direct Line Home Essentials policies do not contain this cover.
No matter your cover, if you need insurance for a new property you're in the process of buying or a property you've already moved into, you'll need to speak to our customer services team on 0345 246 3564.
Yes, when moving home. With Direct Line Silver, Gold and Platinum, we'll provide cover for your contents while in a professional storage facility for up to 72hrs. Your contents would also be covered against accidental loss or damage while you're in the process of moving.
China, glass, earthenware or other fragile items aren't covered.
For customers that purchased a Direct Line Home Insurance policy pre-15th August 2026 and are yet to renew
Yes, when moving home. With Home Insurance, Home Plus and Home Essentials, we'll provide cover for your contents while in a professional storage facility for up to 72hrs. Your contents would also be covered against accidental loss or damage while you're in the process of moving.
China, glass, earthenware or other fragile items aren't covered.
For Direct Line Gold and Direct Line Silver policies, you need to tell us the value of individual items of jewellery, fine art, watches, antiques and sporting guns over £2,000.
For Direct Line Platinum, this applies to items over £4,000.
Direct Line Buildings Insurance has Trace and Access cover. This includes removing and replacing any part of the building to find the source of water or oil escaping from tanks, pipes, appliances or fixed heating systems, which is causing damage to the building.
Cover limits:
- Direct Line Silver: £2,500
- Direct Line Gold: £5,000
- Direct Line Platinum: £10,000
For customers that purchased a Direct Line Home Insurance policy pre-15th August 2026 and are yet to renew
- Direct Line Home Essentials: £2,500
- Direct Line Home Insurance: £5,000
- Direct Line Home Plus: £10,000
What's not covered is repairing or replacing the tanks, pipes or heating systems themselves.
Yes, if you take out our Personal Possessions cover. This is available as an optional extra for Direct Line Gold and Direct Line Silver, when you select contents cover. Your personal belongings (including up to £500 for Money) will be covered against theft, loss or accidental damage anywhere in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
A Direct Line Gold policy with Personal Possessions will also get cover for up to 60 days abroad each year.
Any individual items worth more than £2,000 must be specified on a Direct Line Gold or Direct Line Silver policy.
Personal Possessions cover is included as standard with Direct Line Platinum, when you select contents cover. Your personal belongings (including up to £1,000 for Money) will be covered against theft, loss or accidental damage anywhere in the UK and Republic of Ireland, plus for up to 60 days abroad each year. Any individual items worth more than £4,000 must be specified on the policy.
For customers that purchased a Direct Line Home Insurance policy pre-15th August 2026 and are yet to renew
This is an optional extra for Direct Line Home Insurance and Direct Line Essentials, when you select contents cover. Your personal belongings (including up to £500 for Money) will be covered against theft, loss or accidental damage anywhere in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
A Direct Line Home Insurance policy with Personal Possessions will also get cover for up to 60 days abroad each year.
Any individual items worth more than £2,000 must be specified on a Direct Line Home Insurance or Direct Line Essentials policy.
Personal Possessions cover is included as standard with Direct Line Home Plus, when you select contents cover. Your personal belongings (including up to £1,000 for Money) will be covered against theft, loss or accidental damage anywhere in the UK and Republic of Ireland, plus for up to 60 days abroad each year. Any individual items worth more than £4,000 must be specified on the policy.
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