Differences between buildings and contents insurance

Sometimes you don’t realise how important insurance is until something happens. A water leak, a burglary, a natural disaster, etc. Situations you think will never occur can quickly become a headache if you don’t know what your policy covers or whether you’re really protected. So it’s not only about taking out home insurance, but about understanding what you’re actually insuring.

What is building insurance?

Imagine your home is a box. The buildings are the box itself: walls, floors, ceilings, windows, electrical wiring, pipework and so on. All this is part of the building. This is, buildings insurance covers the physical structure of the property.

If, for example, a pipe bursts and causes damp in a wall or ceiling, buildings insurance pays for the repair. The same applies if there’s a fire that damages the wiring or the walls.

This type of insurance is especially important if you own the property. If you rent, the landlord usually insures the buildings, as they are responsible for keeping the property in good condition. Also note that if you have a mortgage, lenders commonly require you to have buildings insurance in place.

And what is contents insurance?

Continuing with the box analogy, the contents are everything inside it: furniture, appliances, clothing, books, computers, TVs, toys, crockery, etc. In short, the things you have put in your home, that belong to you, and that you would take with you if you moved.

In general, contents insurance covers your personal belongings against events such as theft, fire, flooding or accidental damage. But you need to take into account that the exact cover always depends on the insurer and the policy you choose. For example, if a short circuit breaks your fridge, or rain blows in and ruins your sofa, that’s contents. The same if you suffer a burglary and your TV or laptop is stolen. All of this would fall under contents insurance – subject to your policy’s conditions and limits.

This cover is especially important if you have valuable items at home or if you're a tenant, since the landlord is likely to have insured the buildings, but not your contents.

How can I know if my policy covers what I need?

Home insurance isn’t something you buy once and forget. Ideally, review your policy from time to time, as your household’s needs change. If you buy new furniture, upgrade appliances or add something valuable, it’s worth checking that everything is properly protected. Insurers usually offer flexible options, so updating your policy is straightforward and helps keep your cover aligned with what you truly need.

Pay close attention to exclusions. Some policies may not automatically include certain high-value items such as works of art or collections. Likewise, for buildings insurance, certain structural repairs may be excluded, for example, those due to construction defects or normal wear and tear. Before signing or renewing, take the time to read what is – and isn’t – covered. If anything is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask.

What to do if you have a claim

Knowing how to act after an incident helps you stay calm and resolve things as smoothly as possible. If something unexpected happens, first make sure everyone is safe. Then contact your insurer as soon as you can to start the claims process. Each company has its own procedure – phone, website, WhatsApp or app – so make sure you know which steps to follow.

Once you’ve notified the insurer, you may be asked for details such as photos of the damage, a description of what happened, an inventory, etc. This information is key to speeding up your claim. Remember that buildings and contents cover different things, so knowing which applies in your case makes everything simpler.

It may seem that one type of cover is enough, but the most appropriate solution is usually to have both. In this way, if an incident affects your home, you’ll know that both the physical structure and your belongings are covered, giving you extra peace of mind.

In short, it’s not only about having home insurance, but about understanding what you’re covering and why. Whether buildings, contents or both, the important thing is that when you need to act, you’re not left wondering whether your policy really covers what you need. Knowing your cover well helps you prepare for the unexpected and protect your home and your family.