In our latest analysis of home insurers, almost half of our top-rated policies can only be bought directly, meaning you could overlook the best cover if you rely on comparison sites alone.
We assessed 72 home insurance policies from 30 brands. Of the 13 policies that we rated Best Buys, six aren't available on any comparison sites.
In fact, almost all of the policies that we recommend for contents cover are only available directly from the insurer.
Here, we reveal the Best Buy home insurance policies you won’t find on price comparison sites, plus how to find good cover at a competitive price.
Which home insurance Best Buy policies aren’t on comparison sites?
We assess buildings and contents insurance separately, so a policy can be a Best Buy for one or both. The six policies that can only be bought directly are:
NFU Mutual also achieved high scores in our customer satisfaction survey and is a Which? Recommended Provider.
Do comparison sites show every home insurance policy?
No price comparison website covers the whole home insurance market. Of the 30 insurers in our analysis, 21 sold at least one policy through comparison sites, while 38% of the policies we assessed couldn't be bought through them.
Some insurers, including NFU Mutual, Ecclesiastical and Sagic, don’t sell any of the policies we assessed through comparison websites.
Others have different policies available on comparison sites and their own websites. For example, Aviva's Premium and Online policies are available on comparison sites, but the Best Buy Aviva Signature must be bought directly.
So even if you find an insurer on a comparison site, you might not be seeing all its policies. Checking insurers’ websites or contacting them directly could uncover other policies, but you’ll still need to compare their cover and price with the quotes you already have.
Find out more:Is buying home insurance directly cheaper?
Not necessarily. Buying directly could produce a lower quote, but comparison sites may offer a better price for the same policy or a similar one. Premiums are based on factors such as your property, location, claims history and the cover you choose, so there’s no single cheapest route for everyone.
A Best Buy recognises the comprehensiveness of a policy’s buildings or contents cover. It doesn’t mean the policy will be the cheapest option for you.
When comparing quotes, make sure you’re looking at equivalent cover. Check the limits, exclusions and total excess, as well as whether features such as accidental damage and home emergency cover are included or cost extra. A cheaper quote may offer less protection, while adding optional extras could considerably increase the initial price.
How to find the right cover at a competitive price
Comparison sites are a useful starting point, but they shouldn’t be your only stop. Follow these five steps to widen your search and find cover that suits both your home and your budget:
Start with our ratings and reviews: Try several comparison sites: Check policies sold directly: Look at buildings and contents cover separately: Compare more than the headline price: Find out more:source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/the-best-home-insurance-policies-you-wont-find-on-comparison-sites-av3yu2G3zxjx