Plain-English definitions of the terms that matter when comparing home insurance. Every entry includes a worked example and links to relevant reviews and comparisons.
Core insurance concepts
Buildings insurance (UK) or dwelling coverage (US) covers the physical structure of your home — walls, roof, floors, fitted fixtures, and permanent outbuildings. Understanding what is and is not included in structural coverage is the foundation of any home insurance decision.
Core insurance concepts
Contents insurance (UK) or personal property coverage (US) covers your movable belongings against theft, fire, water damage and other defined perils. Understanding replacement cost vs ACV for contents is critical — many base policies default to ACV.
Comparison channels
A direct-only insurer sells policies exclusively through their own channels — their website, phone line, or agent network — and does not participate in price comparison platforms. State Farm (US) and Direct Line (UK) are the most significant examples.
Comparison channels
An insurer panel is the set of carriers a comparison platform or broker can quote from. Panels always have gaps — understanding which carriers are absent from which platform is the foundation of effective home insurance comparison.
Coverage concepts
The excess (UK term) or deductible (US term) is the amount you pay toward a claim before your insurer covers the rest. Understanding how compulsory and voluntary excess combine is essential for comparing home insurance quotes fairly.
Coverage concepts
Replacement cost and actual cash value (ACV) determine how much your insurer pays when a claim is made. Replacement cost pays what it costs to replace the item today; ACV pays the depreciated market value. The difference can be tens of thousands of dollars on a major claim.