What does buildings insurance apply to?

Buildings insurance may include the house's outside structure, and also permanent fixtures such as sinks, toilets, baths and fitted kitchens or boundary features such as walls or fences surrounding the property. It can also cover outbuildings such as garages or garden sheds.

The list of events covered by buildings insurance can include:

• Fire
• Floods
• Vandalism or riots
• Earthquakes
• Subsidence
• Impact by vehicles
• Falling objects from aircraft
• Malicious behaviour
• Storms
• Falling trees or branches

Policies may also cover pipe frost damage. Subsidence may only be covered if it's been previously reported and noted on a property survey. Sometimes the property's postcode is adequate to inform insurance companies of any possible subsidence.

The cost and scope of buildings insurance cover may depend on your home's location - such as a high risk flooding area. It may cost more - but if you do not declare this risk to your provider your policy may be voided.