UK buildings rebuild guidelines
In the UK, your mortgage lender requires buildings insurance covering the full structural reconstruction cost as calculated by the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS).
Individual valuables worth more than £1,500 (such as engagement rings, high-end bicycles, or artwork) must be specified separately on your contents schedule.
Worked example: UK semi-detached property
A 115 m² UK home with a BCIS rebuild cost of £2,150 per m² requires £247,250 in buildings cover. Adding £45,000 in general contents and £6,000 in specified jewellery gives a total sum insured of £298,250, with an estimated annual premium of £396.
Inputs for the home insurance UK calculator
Internal Floor Area
Gross internal floor area of your UK property measured in square metres.
BCIS Rebuild Cost
Professional rebuild benchmark rate per square metre based on RICS data.
Household Contents
New-for-old replacement value of furniture, carpets, clothing, and appliances.
Specified Valuables
Individual high-value items worth more than your policy's single article limit.
Policy Excess
Voluntary excess amount paid in addition to mandatory insurer excess.
CALCULATOR QUESTIONS
UK home insurance calculator questions
Is buildings insurance legally required in the UK?
While not required by law, buildings insurance is almost universally compulsory under the terms of any UK residential mortgage agreement.
What is the single article limit on UK contents insurance?
Most UK insurers set a single article limit of £1,500 to £2,500; items worth more must be individually declared on the policy.