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Sorting Home Insurance When You Move
Cover needs to be active from the moment you're responsible for the new home — and during the move itself.
Overview
Home insurance is the one utility-like task with a hard deadline: cover must be live from the day you become responsible for the new property. For buyers that's usually exchange of contracts, not completion. Contents cover also matters during the move itself, when belongings are most at risk in transit. It is not something to sort after you arrive.
Why it matters
- Buildings cover is typically required from exchange of contracts, not move-in day
- Contents are most at risk in transit — check whether your move is covered
- Renters need contents cover too; the landlord's policy doesn't protect your belongings
- A move is the natural point to review cover levels for a new property's size and value
When to arrange it
Arrange cover to start from the day you're responsible for the property — exchange of contracts if buying, move-in day if renting. Sort it in the weeks before, not after.
If you delay
Leave it too late and you could be liable for a property — or moving belongings — with no cover at the riskiest moment. A gap of even a single day can be costly.