Home insurance GWP grew by an estimated 9.8% in 2024, as insurers sought to offset rising inflation and high claims costs. Despite this, ownership remains steady at 65%, while 92%…
UK
Insurance
simple
UK Home Insurance Market Report 2025
"Rising premium costs are challenging policyholders' ability to see the value of their cover. Targeted retention strategies are needed to reduce policy churn."
Home insurance GWP grew by an estimated 9.8% in 2024, as insurers sought to offset rising inflation and high claims costs. Despite this, ownership remains steady at 65%, while 92% of policyholders say they would worry if they went without insurance, highlighting the reassurance it offers.
As premiums rise, proving policy value becomes more crucial and challenging. 87% of those who switched insurers at their last renewal did so for cheaper policies, while 43% with home insurance believe their policies either lack value or are uncertain about their worth.
There are significant opportunities to enhance customer retention by clearly demonstrating the value of insurance policies and improving pricing transparency. Simplifying access to policy details, including selected or eligible add-ons, can help reduce confusion about cover held and boost customer satisfaction. Additionally, a more segmented approach can better address diverse customer needs. For instance, offering cyber protection add-ons tailored to higher tier policies targeting higher income households or integrating smart home features into insurance apps to appeal to tech-savvy policyholders. These strategies can create a more personalised and engaging experience, fostering stronger customer loyalty.
This report looks at the following areas:
The market is expected to grow in value over the next five years, with gross written premiums rising by 9.8% in 2024 and reaching £9.4 billion by 2029
Retaining customers is challenging in a highly competitive market. Insurers need to give consumers reasons to stay beyond pricing
Opportunities exist for insurers to up-sell and offer tailored products that reflect different lifestyles and digital security concerns
Insights into how companies are navigating a challenging market through strategic partnerships and tiered solutions
Market Definitions
For the purposes of this Report, Mintel has used the following definitions:
This Report examines the UK market for domestic property insurance, which encompasses two main policy types: buildings and contents insurance. These can be bought separately or combined in one policy.
Buildings insurance covers the structure of a home and any permanent fixtures and fittings, such as fitted kitchen units and bathroom suites.
Contents insurance covers the cost of replacing or repairing possessions if they are damaged, destroyed or stolen.
Policy add-ons – policyholders can add additional cover to their basic buildings insurance policy to include extras such as accidental damage, legal expenses and home emergency. They can also extend their contents insurance to protect possessions when taken outside their home.
Collapse All
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Opportunities for the home insurance market
Improved transparency to reduce customer churn
Cyber cover add-ons resonate with higher-income households
Insurers can stand out with great customer service
Market dynamics and outlook
Market size and forecast
Market predictions
Gross written premiums are expected to grow steadily over the next five years
What consumers want and why
Shop around activity persists, despite pricing rule changes
Beyond price, policyholders are looking for reassurance
Retention strategies resonate differently across age groups
Graph 1: factors influencing policy choice, by age, 2024
Cyber cover and home emergency cover show most potential as policy add-ons
Graph 2: ownership of and interest in policy add-ons, 2024
Policyholders recognise the importance of home insurance, but question its value
MARKET DYNAMICS
Market size
GWP increased by almost 10% in 2024 as costs increase
Graph 3: domestic property insurance gross written premiums, ABI members, 2019-24
Severe weather and costly building materials lead to sharp increase in premiums
Graph 4: average domestic property insurance premiums, at current prices, by policy type, 2019-24
Market forecast
Market forecast to grow to £9.4 billion by 2029
Elevated costs and lower competition will fuel premium growth
Claims and underwriting results
Domestic property claims declined in 2024 in value terms
Graph 6: number of domestic property claims notified, 2019-24
Average claims incurred increased by 16 %
Graph 7: average value of a domestic property claim incurred, 2019-24
Escape of water and weather-related claims account for the highest proportion of costs
Graph 8: proportional distribution of domestic property gross claims incurred value, by type of peril, 2022-24
Underwriting results improved slightly in 2023, but remained far from profitable
Market share
Top five insurance groups continue to dominate over half the market
Graph 9: share of domestic property underwriters in total market GWP, 2022 and 2023
Aviva continues to lead in home insurance underwriter share
Sustained market consolidation challenging home insurers
Market drivers
Inflation continues to place upward pressure on premiums
Graph 10: CPI and CPIH inflation, 2021-25
House rebuilding and consumer durable costs are settling down, but inflationary pressures remain
Graph 11: annual change in the House Rebuilding Cost, RPI (all items) and the RPI (consumer durables), 2017-25
House prices and private rents are steadily increasing
Graph 12: private rent and house price annual inflation, 2021-24
Financial wellbeing remains fragile
Graph 13: the financial wellbeing index, 2016-25
Consumer confidence is in recovery mode
Graph 14: the financial confidence index, 2016-25
A third plan to spend on their homes in the next three months
Graph 15: consumer spending on the home, 2022-25
Opportunities for insurers to attract homeowners investing in their homes
Regulatory, social and environmental factors
FCA’s Thematic review seeks to drive up standards across general insurance
Record investment to strengthen England’s flood defences
WHAT CONSUMERS WANT AND WHY
Home insurance ownership
Home insurance ownership holds steady
Graph 16: any home insurance ownership – NET, 2020-24
Ownership increases with age and home ownership
Graph 17: home insurance ownership – NET, by housing situation, 2024
Graph 18: home insurance ownership – NET, by age, 2024
Homeowners look to home insurance as a source of reassurance
Only a minority opt for buildings only insurance
Graph 19: home insurance ownership, 2024
One in four has some form of specialist home insurance
Graph 20: specialist home insurance ownership, 2024
Switching activity at last renewal
Shop around activity persists, despite pricing rule changes
Graph 21: switching activity at last renewal, 2024
Price comparison sites continue to fuel the search for lower premiums
Switchers also see less value in home insurance
Graph 22: agreement that home insurance offers good value for money, by switching activity at last renewal, 2024
Challenging price sensitivity at renewal
Lowering costs is clear motivation for switching
Graph 23: reasons for switching insurance providers at last renewal, 2024
Propensity to stay or switch at next renewal
Switching mentality is more ingrained among younger policyholders
Graph 24: propensity to renew or switch at next renewal, 2024
“Wait and see” approach to renewal increases with age
Graph 25: propensity to renew or switch at next renewal, by age, 2024
Expected renewal behaviour shaped by previous renewal action
Graph 26: propensity to renew or switch at next renewal, by switching activity at last renewal – NET, 2024
Factors influencing policy choice
Beyond price, policyholders are looking for reassurance
Graph 27: factors influencing policy choice, 2024
Retention strategies resonate differently across age groups
Graph 28: factors influencing policy choice, by age, 2024
Harness customer reviews to attract new customers
Integrate app-based policy management with smart home technology
Graph 29: factors influencing policy choice, by household income, 2024
Ownership of and interest in policy add-ons
Cyber cover and home emergency cover show most potential as policy add-ons
Graph 30: ownership of and interest in policy add-ons, 2024
Cyber cover add-ons resonate with higher-income households
Bicycle cover add-on will widen appeal among policyholders under 35
Graph 31: policy add-ons not currently included in policyholders’ home insurance, but which they would be interested in adding, by age, 2024
Uncertainty about policy coverage will undermine trust and value
Behaviours towards home insurance
Policyholders recognise the importance of home insurance, but question its value
Graph 32: behaviours towards home insurance, 2024
Lack of policy understanding can lead to mistrust in claim payouts
Graph 33: “I think home insurance policies are easy to understand”, by financial situation, 2024
Clear and supportive communication is needed to foster trust and confidence
Older policyholders need convincing of policy value
Graph 34: proportion of adults agree that home insurance offers good value for money, by age, 2024
Insurers can stand out with great customer service
Graph 35: “I would pay more for a policy with an insurer that has a reputation for great customer service”, by age, 2024
INNOVATION AND MARKETING
Launch activity
Ageas and Saga agree a 20-year partnership
Allianz launches a new three-tier home insurance product
Lemonade and Aviva partner to launch fully-digital buildings and contents insurance
Virgin Money partners with Uinsure to launch new home and landlord insurance products
Yorkshire Building Society also partners with Uinsure to offer special home insurance
First Central enters the home insurance market
Advertising and marketing activity
Sharp decline in home insurance advertising
Graph 36: total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on home and motor insurance, 2019/20-2023/24
Go Compare leads home insurance and related products ad spending
TV continues to dominate home insurance adspend
Graph 37: total above-the-line, online display and direct mail advertising expenditure on home insurance and related products, by media type, 2019/20-2023/24
Admiral highlights storm damage concerns to promote Multicover policy
LV= focuses on the affordability of its home insurance cover
LV= also offers a discount on Multi Cover insurance
Go Compare incorporates £250 free home excess cover
APPENDIX
Supplementary data
Net written premiums reached £5.89 billion in 2024
Number of claims notified by type of peril
Gross claims incurred by type of peril
Above-the-line advertising on home insurance
Market forecast data and methodology
Market forecast and prediction intervals (value)
Forecast methodology
Report scope and definitions
Market definition
Abbreviations and terms
Methodology
Consumer research methodology
Nielsen Ad Intel coverage
Mintel: Market Intelligence Made Easier
The first Mintel Market Intelligence report was published over 50 years ago. Since then, we have provided our unique insights and understanding of consumers, innovation and global markets to thousands of customers worldwide. Here’s why our customers rely on Mintel:
Gain a comprehensive, 360-degree view of the market: Mintel reports blend consumer research, market forecasts, product innovation tracking, and competitive analysis, allowing businesses to see every angle of their industry and identify new opportunities quickly.
Make decisions with confidence, grounded in robust data: Each report draws on up-to-date, reliable information from trusted sources and industry experts, ensuring your strategies are based on solid evidence rather than speculation.
Benefit from expert analysis and practical recommendations: Mintel’s reports are written by experienced analysts who interpret complex data and provide clear, actionable insights you can trust to guide your next moves.
Stay ahead with actionable intelligence on market trends and consumer behaviour: By combining fresh research with long-term market monitoring, our reports help businesses anticipate changes and adapt strategically. So you’re prepared to make informed decisions and drive growth.
What goes into a Mintel Market Intelligence Report?
Curious about how a Market Intelligence report comes together? We like to think of it as building a detailed puzzle. We start with individual pieces: data from consumers, market statistics, industry trends, and online conversations. Then our expert analysts add world-class human insight and industry knowledge. The pieces are assembled to reveal a clear, comprehensive picture of a market.
The Four Pillars of Our Research
We use a combination of four main research methods when creating our reports, each adding a valuable perspective:
Consumer Research: Direct surveys with real people, giving us clear, current insights into what people think and do.
Desk Research: In-depth review of trusted data sources. We use this rich database, plus powerful internal tools that track new products and market sizes, to detect trends and guide forecasts.
Trade Research: Insights from conversations with industry experts. Their real-world experience helps us understand what’s happening behind the scenes.
Brand and Social Media Research: Analysis of online opinions and trends. This lets us spot trends, measure brand sentiment, and capture feedback in real time, adding further depth to our research.
For further information about our research and analysis methods, visit our helpdesk.
Bringing It All Together
Each of these four pillars provides a different piece of the puzzle. Consumer research tells us what customers think, desk research provides the factual framework, trade research offers an insider’s view, and social media analysis reveals public sentiment.
Our expert analysts are skilled in weaving these diverse data streams together. They apply a range of quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques to uncover the deeper story, connecting the dots to deliver clear, actionable insights. This comprehensive, multi-layered process is how we transform raw data into a market intelligence report you can trust to inform your most important business decisions.
For a closer look at a Mintel Market Intelligence Report, take a look at the sample PDF report below:
Please Note: All of the figures, graphs, and tables in this sample report have been redacted.
£ 2,195(Excl.Tax)
Download today with instant access
Pay via credit card or purchase order
Multiple formats provided
We send a PDF, Powerpoint and Excel Databook straight to your inbox. An interactive version of the report is also available on our online platform
Interactive databook included
Focus on the data that matters most to you with a customisable databook avaliable on our platform
Appetite for foreign travel is increasing, with 65% of UK adults expecting to travel abroad within the next 12 months compared to 44% who did so during the...
Only 42% of insured UK adults think insurance companies are innovative, highlighting large scope to change perceptions. However, most policyholders also believe insurers...
Most critical illness policies are sold as rider benefits to term life insurance and, as a result, the market's performance is heavily linked to it. Demand for both...
Despite households looking to make cuts, pet insurance has remained resilient during the cost-of-living crisis. The perception of good value for money has been a key factor, Â as...
The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic slowdown gave the UK protection market an unexpected boost. Annual sales of term insurance peaked at 1.71 million in 2021, up from...
The income protection market has shown strong resilience during the cost of living crisis, with sales of new individual policies reaching new heights in 2024. Growth have been...
Mintel is really good for getting a handle on a particular category quickly. If we are working on a new business pitch in an area we don’t have much experience in, it’s a brilliant way to get up to speed with what’s going on, what’s changing and what the key trends are in any category.
It’s very rare now that anyone will plough through a 200-page report – that’s why the summaries are really useful. We know they are backed up by a lot of detail, so if you need to go into something in more depth you know the information will be all there for you.
Pauline Robson, Managing Partner, Mediacom
We use Mintel Reports, mostly for financial services and ecommerce markets, plus a few retail and technology ones.
As a leading payments provider, we value additional insights into consumer behaviour, opinions and trends that are shaping the many different markets we operate in. Mintel is a very good and very quick way for us to obtain those insights.
We use Mintel to get a view on where a particular market is going, which can support us in product development and help us identify opportunities or indeed risks, it is a very useful barometer of a market’s potential.
Andrew Neeson, Market Intelligence Manager, VocaLink
One of the biggest challenges we face is the need to get smart on a business or category real quick.
We are talking to clients who live and breathe their category every day and the expectation is that we will be able to get caught up very quickly, and bring the thinking that can help them.
We need to do that often in a matter of days, so it’s not a small ask. Mintel gives us a very articulate view of category conditions and does so at the speed we need it.
Jeff White, Business Development Director, Deutsch
We have such a great working relationship with Mintel on lots of different levels. As an insight partner, they have helped us to develop our business planning in specific categories as well as supporting our creative process but they’ve also been super helpful with facilitating our events in their inspirational offices near St Paul’s.
They’re an innovative company, with a client-focused team that always delivers.
Abby Carvosso, Group Managing Director, Bauer Media Group
Working in a customer-obsessed organization means that data and insights have to be at our fingertips. Mintel’s reports help us support anecdotes with real quantifiable insights. The summary sections (which I really like) helps save time by giving a birds eye view of the content before spending time combing through the pages.
Our business review discussions are strengthened by the relevancy of the reports to help us better understand our customers. In addition, the customer service received from the team (especially in crunch periods) makes the process of understanding customer behavior even better.