Over 50s home insurance

Is home insurance for over 50s cheaper?

You might expect premiums to rise as you get older, but with home insurance, that’s not usually the case. Insurers don’t hike prices simply because of age. Instead, they look at risk: things like your property, where you live and previous claims.

Over‑50s might pay less because their homes are likely paid off and they tend to be more settled. They usually do less DIY than younger homeowners so fewer accidental claims happen in this age group.

That doesn’t mean everyone pays less automatically, your postcode, property type and chosen excess matter too.

Do you need over-50s home insurance?

Legally, you're not required to buy home insurance. But if you've got a mortgage, your lender will expect buildings cover. It steps in for issues like storms, flooding or fire. And even without a mortgage, it protects your hard-earned equity.

As for over‑50s cover, it’s not a special insurance product, it’s normal home insurance.

Types of home insurance for over 50s

Two core types:

• Buildings insurance – covers the physical structure: walls, roof and foundations. Ideal if you own your home outright or have a mortgage.
• Contents insurance – protects your belongings: furniture, gadgets and clothes. It’s essential whether you rent or own.

You might also want to consider:

• Accidental damage cover – handy if you or visitors might drop something valuable.
• Legal expenses – helpful if you need legal support over property disputes.

Benefits of over-50s home insurance

Buildings insurance

If you’re over 50, you may be able to get a higher level of buildings cover than someone younger. That’s because people in this age group are more likely to own larger family homes. So if serious damage did occur, you’d be more likely to have the full cost covered.

And if you travel often or spend time away from home, many insurers may still offer competitive premiums simply because you're seen as lower risk overall.

Contents insurance

It’s a similar story with contents insurance. Many providers will offer higher cover limits for over 50s and 60s and, in some cases, ‘new for old’ policies. That means if something like your washing machine is damaged and your claim’s approved, you'd get enough to replace it with a new one, rather than being paid its current value.

What information will I need to get an over-50s home insurance policy?

To get quotes, you’ll need:

1. Your address and property type – like semi-detached house, flat or terrace.
2. Build details – age, construction such as brick, roofing, for example, tiles or slate.
3. Home security – an alarm, locks or CCTV can lower premiums.
4. Sum insured values – rebuild cost for building cover; replacement value for contents.
5. Claims history – any in the past 5 years.
6. Payment method - Are you going to pay monthly or annually?
7. Lifestyle info – do you live there full‑time? Are you retired?

If you’ve not moved recently, your details are probably up to date. If not, they could affect your pricing or ability to renew.

Why compare over-50s home insurance?

1. Price varies wildly - It's worth shopping around. As you get older, you'll want to stretch your pension income and get a good deal.
2. Packages differ - Some include free accidental damage; others want up to £100 excess.
3. Renewal jumps - Sticking with the same policy can cost you, comparing annually ensures you're on top of the best deal.

How to get the best over 50s home insurance deal

1. Shop around every year – different insurers update their rates based on claim stats.
2. Be honest about your info – wrong details risk voiding your cover.
3. Consider voluntary excess – a higher excess means lower premiums, but you’ll pay more if you claim.
4. Look for no‑claims discounts – some providers reward claim‑free years.
5. Bundle it up – Combining building and contents policies might save you a chunk.