Buildings insurance is there to protect your home from risks such as fire, flood and storm damage, fallen trees or lampposts, or theft and vandalism. It covers the cost of rebuilding your home should something happen and also protects any outbuildings, garages and sheds. It’s important to note that buildings insurance does not cover your possessions or items in your home - for this, you will need contents insurance. Age Co Home Insurance offers both buildings insurance and contents insurance, which can be bought separately or as a package.
See if you could save today with Age Co's 5 Star Defaqto rated home insurance.
If you have already started a quote, the details have been saved for you, retrieve your home insurance quote here.
Please note, insurance for a non-standard construction property would be based on the customer’s sum-insured amount for the rebuild cost. Cover cannot be provided if you are not the owner.
For full details, please refer to the Home Insurance policy documents. Terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions apply.
Home Insurance (underwritten by Ageas) Policy Document
Get a Buildings and/or Contents Home Insurance quote today.
Below, you can find out exactly what is covered when you take out Age Co Home Insurance for over 50s.
Your home is covered against water damage that occurs from frozen pipes, leaking appliances (such as a washing machine, dishwasher, waterbed or fish tank) and heat or drainage installation. You’ll also be reimbursed for any costs you’ve acquired in finding where the water is coming from. Age Co Home Insurance's excesses for escaping water is £250.
If your roof is made from slate, tile, metal, concrete or asphalt or is turnerised (made from metal with a layer of bitumen coating), your roof will be covered for damage caused by incidents such as fire, explosion, lightning, storm, falling trees and subsidence. However, general wear and tear, such as defective rendering, is not covered. You cannot claim for having a chimney repointed or for general roof maintenance.
Subsidence can be a major problem for a house, causing large cracks and instability. However, with Age Co buildings insurance, subsidence and ground heave of the site your home stands on are covered, though there are some exclusions that you should be aware of. These include if the subsidence is caused by the sea or a river, faulty design, materials that are shrinking and expanding when they shouldn’t or subsidence that started before your policy start date.
Age Co Home Insurance excess is £1,000 for subsidence claims, however, for a property that is under 10 years old, this reduces to £100.
Age Co buildings insurance covers burst pipes. If you find that this problem is happening regularly, you should lag the outside water taps to prevent them from freezing or look into installing additional insulation. Age Co Home Insurance's excesses for escaping water is £250.
Buildings insurance will cover almost every structure on your property boundary, including garden walls, paths, driveways, tennis courts and permanent swimming pools or jacuzzis.
Dry rot can be very destructive and it is for this reason that many insurance providers don’t offer cover for an infestation, including Age Co.
Dry rot is a type of fungus that decays wood and spreads very quickly. Once an outbreak has occurred, it can be very difficult to control and it is expensive to replace wooden fixtures that have been affected, like timber beams and door or window frames.
However, you may find that if the dry rot has been caused by an incident that is covered on your insurance, such as a leak, then it is possible that you may be covered for the damage that’s been done.
While buildings insurance protects the structure and foundations of your home, contents insurance is designed to protect the belongings inside your home and garden. It can provide you with the reassurance that the things you value are protected. Age Co offers both buildings insurance and contents insurance, which can be bought separately or as a package.
Below is a summary of what contents insurance will cover. For full details, please refer to the Home Insurance policy document.
Get a Buildings and/or Contents Home Insurance quote today.
What does contents insurance cover?
Contents insurance is there to cover:
Your rent payments could also be covered, as well as alternative accommodation costs†† if an incident means that your home can’t be lived in. Accidental Damage Cover can be included as an optional extra should you require it, for an additional fee.
Home contents cover is available up to £60,000. Increased contents cover of up to £100,000 may also be available, subject to terms and conditions. Read our guide on how to value your home’s contents and see how much cover you need.
See if you could save money with 5 Star Defaqto-rated home insurance. If you have already started a quote, the details have been saved for you - retrieve your quote here.
The contents of your home will be protected against certain accidents or disasters, including:
Generally, fixtures and fittings are covered by buildings insurance and not contents insurance. This is because they are things that are permanent, stay in the home or are built-in, such as fitted wardrobes, kitchen units, wall lights, etc. Buildings insurance typically also covers garden walls, fences and paths.
Instead, contents insurance covers household goods, valuables and personal belongings, such as jewellery, clocks, musical instruments or antique furniture. This even includes the food inside your fridge and freezer, credit cards and cash. Therefore, it’s a good idea to take out both buildings and contents insurance to be sure that everything inside and outside your home is protected.
Items that are not covered under contents insurance include business equipment (owned by a business and not by you personally). Any item that is lost or misplaced in the home is not covered either unless you have Personal Belongings Cover. Garden equipment, such as furniture, barbeques, lawnmowers, etc. are covered.
Accidental damage is usually defined as unexpected and unintended damage caused by something sudden and external. There are, however, certain occasions when the accidental damage may not be covered. For instance, accidental breakage to televisions and desktop computers is covered, unless the damage was caused by cleaning, maintaining, adjusting or misusing the item, by wear and tear, by electrical or mechanical breakdown or by computer viruses.
You should check your policy document to find out what is and isn’t covered under accidental damage.
A washing machine will likely be covered by buildings insurance and not contents insurance as it’s a permanent fixture in your home. However, you should be aware that if it’s broken from general wear and tear or mechanical breakdown, you won’t be able to claim on your insurance for a replacement.
Any contents that are damaged because of an escape of water from your washing machine are covered, and you could receive compensation for these to be replaced.
Boilers are generally not covered under your home insurance. This is because a boiler usually breaks down because of poor maintenance, a mechanical failure, or age. If you would like to have boiler protection, you can take out additional home emergency cover. This will cover not just the boiler, but your home’s entire central heating system. It can also cover the removal of wasps’ nests and mice within your home.
Carpets are generally covered by contents insurance.
When your home becomes water damage, either due to an escape of water or flood, fixtures and fittings such as built-in furniture will need replacing. The contents of your home, such as mobile furniture, carpets and clothing may need to be replaced too. This is why it's so important to have both buildings and contents insurance. Buildings insurance will cover the former, while contents insurance covers the latter.
Your buildings insurance protects you against the cost of finding the source of the water. For instance, a pipe in your home may be leaking, but it could be difficult to detect where the water is coming from. With buildings insurance, any damage to the walls, floors and ceilings caused when locating the source of the leak will also be covered.
See what is and isn't covered by Age Co's combined buildings and contents Home Insurance.
In addition to this summary of cover, please refer to the Home Insurance Policy Document for terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions and to the Buildings & Contents Cover Product Information Document for details specific to your quotation.
Buildings insurance |
Standard policy limits |
| Loss or damage to the building, as covered by your policy |
The maximum claim limit shown on your building insurance policy schedule |
| Trace and access source of leak for escape of water and escape of oil causes | Up to the maximum claim limit shown on your policy schedule |
| Property owners' liability | £2 million |
| Cover for rent or alternative accommodation costs†† if your home can't be lived in due to an insured event |
20% of the building's maximum claim limit shown on your policy schedule |
| Contents insurance | Standard policy limits |
| Loss or damage to your home contents, as covered by your policy | The maximum claim limit shown on your contents insurance policy schedule |
| Maximum claim limit for any valuable | £2,000. Cover for higher valued items may be available upon request |
| Valuables in the home | The maximum claim limit shown on your policy schedule |
| Money | £500 |
| Credit cards | £1,000 |
| Freezer food | £1,000 |
| Public and personal liability | £2 million |
| Unpaid damages | £2 million |
| Tenant's liability | 20% of the maximum claim limit for contents shown on your policy schedule |
| Loss or damage to contents during removal | Up to the maximum claim limit for contents shown on your policy schedule |
| 10% increase in the maximum claim limit for religious festivals, birthdays, family wedding, and civil partnership ceremonies | Maximum claim limit for contents increased by 10% |
| Counseling fees | £1,000 |
| Garden cover | £1,500 |
| Accidental breakage to audio/visual equipment, DVD equipment, fixed glass in furniture, mirrors, and desktop computers | Up to the maximum claim limit for contents shown on your policy schedule |
| Fraudulent use of credit cards | £1,000 |
| Carer's contents | £250 |
| Items covered while living in a nursing home, residential care home or staying with family or friends | Up to 20% of the maximum claim limit for contents shown on your policy schedule |
| Medical equipment on loan | £5,000 |
| Accidental damage to wheelchairs and stairlifts in the home | Up to the maximum claim limit for contents shown on your policy schedule |
| Rent and alternative accommodation | 20% of the contents' maximum claim limit shown on your policy schedule |
Buildings Insurance
Loss or damage caused by weight of snow. Loss or damage to gates and fences caused by storm or flood.
Contents Insurance
Loss or damage caused by weight of snow. Theft or attempted theft when your home or any part of it is lent, let, or sublet to or occupied by someone who is not a member of your family unless damaged was caused because force was used to get in or out of the building.
General policy exclusions applicable to all sections and optional extras
Property covered by another policy of insurance. Any criminal or deliberate act by you or your family. Loss or damage caused by wear and tear or lack of maintenance.
Choose from a wide range of optional extras to tailor the cover to suit you.
For an additional charge, you can add these optional extras to your insurance cover. Please download the policy document for full terms and conditions.
Cover | Standard policy limits |
Significant exclusions |
|---|---|---|
| Accidental damage to buildings and contents | Up to the buildings' or contents' maximum claim limit shown on your policy schedule |
|
| Unspecified personal belongings | Limited to £1,000 - £5,000 |
|
| Specified personal belongings | Limited to £10,000 |
|
| Pedal cycles | Limited to £300 unspecified and £1,000 specified |
|
| Static caravan | Up to £35,000 for the structure and up to £2,500 for the caravan equipment |
|
| Touring caravan | Up to £25,000 for the structure and up to £2,500 for the caravan equipment |
|
| Home emergency |
To qualify to add Home Emergency cover, the property has to be owned by the policyholder and also their main residence. Benefits include:
Limited to £1,500 during the period of insurance, with a claim limit of £500 per incident. Provides emergency repair by a qualified professional or permanent repair provided this does not exceed the cost of the emergency repair. Claim limits include the cost of call out, labour, materials and VAT. |
|
| Personal legal protection | Provides up to £100,000 of cover to take legal action for things such as employment, contract or property disputes and personal injuries or clinical negligence. |
|
Words written in bold/italicised have special meanings.
These meanings are explained in the policy definitions section of the policy booklet on pages 7-9.
If you are unsure who underwrites your policy, you can find this information on your policy schedule, or you can call the Age Co Home Insurance policy administration helpline on 0345 128 7916. Lines open Mon-Fri: 8am to 8pm, Sat: 9am to 1pm.
If you are aware of an incident that might lead to a claim or you need to make a claim, you must do the following as soon as possible:
Any claims against you can be negotiated, defended or settled in your name and on your behalf. Legal action can also be taken in your name but for the benefit of the insurer to get back any payment made under the policy.
If you're an existing customer, please call the friendly UK-based Age Co team at the Ageas contact centre on 0345 603 0512 if you need postal copies of any of your documents.
If your policy reference starts with 'UK' it is underwritten by Ageas. If your policy reference starts with 'AU' it is underwritten by Prestige. If you're unsure or if this doesn't apply, please get in touch.
Home Insurance Policy Document
(viewable in pdf, file size 1 MB)
Home Buildings & Contents Insurance Cover Product Information Document
(viewable in pdf, file size 261 KB)
Home Buildings Insurance (Only) Cover Product Information Document
(viewable in pdf, file size 260 KB)
Home Contents Insurance (Only) All Risks Cover Product Information Document
(viewable in pdf, file size 261 KB)
Home Insurance Policy Document
(viewable in pdf, file size 1 MB)
Buildings & Contents Cover Product Information Document
(viewable in pdf, file size 411 KB)
Buildings (Only) Cover Product Information Document
(viewable in pdf, file size 410 KB)
Contents (Only) All Risks Cover Product Information Document
(viewable in pdf, file size 410 KB)
Contents (Only) Cover Product Information Document
(viewable in pdf, file size 410 KB)
Home Emergency Cover Policy Document
(viewable in pdf, file size 3 MB)
Home Emergency Cover Product Information Document
(viewable in pdf, file size 206 KB)
Personal Legal Protection Policy Document
(viewable in pdf, file size 1 MB)
Personal Legal Protection Cover Product Information Document
(viewable in pdf, file size 252 KB)
Simply call the Age Co Home Insurance claims helpline 0345 602 5273. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You will need to have your policy details ready when you call.
Age Co Home Insurance is designed with the over 50s in mind, however there is no age restriction and anyone can apply providing your home is:
In order to provide buildings cover, the property must be owned by you.
Cover cannot be provided if you or anyone living with you has:
Please note that other factors may also affect eligibility, not just those listed above. If you're unsure please call the Age Co team at the Ageas Contact Centre on 0800 028 7601*.
No. If you live in rented accommodation, your landlord should have buildings insurance and you only need contents insurance.
If you own your own property it is advised that you have both. Almost all mortgage lenders will require you to take out buildings insurance as part of the conditions of the mortgage contract.
All claims for contents cover are settled on a ‘new for old’ basis. So, damaged items will be repaired and anything stolen or damaged beyond repair will be replaced as new. With buildings cover, claim settlements are based on the full repair or rebuilding cost. Please note, the sum insured must be high enough to cover the full replacement or rebuilding cost at today’s prices.
Not necessarily. But, if you need to insure high sums or depending on the area you live in, you may need to take additional precautions as part of the arrangements for providing your buildings and contents insurance cover. See page 10 of the policy document for more details.
If you’re not satisfied with your policy, you can cancel at any time by telephoning the Age Co team at the Ageas Contact centre on 0800 028 7601* or writing to Age Co Insurance. You will only be charged for the time you have been on cover unless a claim has been made. If a claim has been made, you will need to pay the full annual premium. See page 10 of the policy document for more details.
You can add extras options to your cover online or over the telephone. The insurance arranger will be happy to discuss the options with you so that you can decide what additional cover you need. When you apply, just let them know which extras – if any – you want to include in your cover.
If you make a change to your policy during the period of insurance and the difference in the premium is less than £10, you will not be charged an additional premium or have a refund. Plus, unlike most insurers, Age Co Home Insurance will not charge you an admin fee for changing your policy.
'Admin fees' can include adjustment fees, cancellation fees and duplicate document fees. Age Co Home Insurance have no fees for policy amendments, cancellations or duplicate documents.
Defaqto are a leading independent UK financial researcher, specialising in analysing and comparing financial products such as insurance. They rate hundreds of insurance products, giving each a 1 to 5 rating based on quality and comprehensiveness of the features and benefits it offers. This may help you make a more informed decision about which one suits your needs. Defaqto are completely independent and unbiased and never knowingly exclude a product or policy from their Star Ratings.
Defaqto assesses products based on the features and benefits they offer, helping you see at a glance where a product sits in the market. Age Co Home Insurance provides one of the highest quality policies in the market as indicated by a Defaqto 5 Star Rating.
It’s important to make sure you have cover that’s designed to meet your needs. For instance, people over the age of 50 are more likely to have a greater number of high-value items~, having collected them over a lifetime. The over 50s are also more likely to have larger family homes. It’s also important for the over 50s to make sure you select cover which settles claims on a ‘new for old’ basis. This ensures that the cost of a replacement will be calculated based on how much it would cost to replace the item today, rather than the price you originally paid for it, be it 5, 15 or even 25 years ago.
And finally, the over 50s are more likely to use their free time to travel, so you should also consider how frequently your property might be unoccupied or whether you want your personal possessions to be covered while you are away from home.
Buildings insurance is compulsory if your property is mortgaged, and is highly recommended (but not compulsory) if you own your house outright.
Buildings insurance covers the structure of your property and your permanent fixtures and fittings, such as your kitchen and bathroom. To put it simply, buildings insurance covers the things you can’t take with you if you were to move to a new house. You cannot take out buildings insurance for a property you don’t own.
Whether you are in owned, rented or temporary accommodation, you should also protect your belongings. Contents insurance covers the items within your home from loss, damage or theft. Again, to put it simply, contents insurance covers the items you would take with you if you were to move. Most content insurance policies will have the option of covering items while you are away from your home or on holiday. An additional charge may apply.
It is sensible to have both buildings and contents insurance, as independently they might not give you the cover you need. Plus, many insurers will provide a discount to customers who take out both buildings and contents insurance from the same provider.
Consent to auto-renewal means you are giving us permission to renew your policy without you having to do anything other than check that the information we hold for you remains correct.
When you give your consent to auto-renew your policy, the insurance provider will issue your renewal documents and inform you that the policy will auto-renew without any intervention from you.
The consent will remain in force unless you change it or the policy is cancelled. If you choose not to auto-renew, you will need to contact the Age Co team at the Ageas Contact Centre on 0800 323 4437* at renewal to ensure you remain insured. You can change your auto-renewal preference at any time.
Auto-renewal can offer you peace of mind that your insurance will remain in place when it comes to your renewal.
When you give your consent to auto-renew your policy, the insurance provider will issue your renewal documents, which will include details of your cover and any associated costs, and inform you that the policy will auto-renew without any need for you to make contact and confirm.
The consent will remain in force unless you change it, which you can do at any time, or if the policy is cancelled. If you chose not to auto-renew your policy, when it comes to renewal you will need to contact the Age Co team at the Ageas Contact Centre to complete your renewal. If you don’t make contact then your policy will end, and you will not be covered.
You can change your auto-renewal consent at any time before your renewal is due by logging into the online portal or by calling the Age Co team at the Ageas Contact Centre on 0800 323 4437*. There is no charge for changing your mind.
If you have previously opted not to auto-renew, you will need to contact us at the time of renewal to ensure you remain insured.
Pay in Full
To 'Pay in full' is the cheapest way to pay for your insurance. Because you pay a single annual payment there is no interest to pay, as there is with some other payment methods such as direct debit. You can choose to auto-renew your policy if you pay in full.
Direct Debit
You may choose to pay monthly however, it will cost you more than paying in full with a single annual payment. You can choose to auto-renew your policy if you pay by Direct Debit.
0800 028 7601* 0800 028 7601*
Lines open Mon-Fri: 8.30 am to 6.00 pm, Sat: 9 am to 1 pm. Calls may be recorded.
^The UK based service team have been awarded the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award 2022.
†On standard construction properties.
††Rent and Alternative Accommodation cover is 20% of the Buildings or Contents sum insured.
^^The excesses are £1,000 for subsidence (reducing to £100 for properties under 10 years old) and £250 for escaping water.
*If you call the 0800 number, you will be dealing with Ageas Retail Limited.
~There is no obligation to complete the renewal date section, you will just need to complete your contact details and provide us with an email address. See the Prize Draw Terms and Conditions.
Age Co Car, Breakdown and Home Insurance are arranged and administered by Ageas Retail Limited. AgeCo Limited is a trading subsidiary of Age UK (registered charity no. 1128267). Both AgeCo Limited (Financial Services Register no. 311438) and Ageas Retail Limited (Financial Services Register no. 312468) are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. AgeCo Limited registered office: One America Square, 17 Crosswall, London, EC3N 2LB (registered in England and Wales, no. 03156159). Ageas Retail Limited Registered office: Ageas House, Hampshire Corporate Park, Templars Way, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO53 3YA (registered in England and Wales, no. 01324965).
Age Co Home Emergency Cover is provided by AXA Assistance (UK) Ltd.
AgeCo Limited are always committed to providing good customer service. If you buy a product from AgeCo Limited, you may be contacted by Feefo.com on our behalf to find out about your buying experience.
If you need to make a complaint, please refer your policy documents or find details on our Contact Us page.
Age Co are unable to offer insurance to residents of the Channel Islands.
HI478R4MAR22
