Expert reveals the seven checks to do before you move home to avoid costly insurance mistakes

Ahead of the peak home-moving season, Go.Compare is urging people planning a move this spring to get their protection in place early. The comparison site warns that simple oversights, like leaving buildings cover until completion, assuming contents are insured in transit, or not reviewing life insurance when taking on a new mortgage, can lead to unexpected costs.

Nathan Blackler, expert at Go.Compare home insurance, breaks down his seven tips to be prepared:

1. Consider or review your life insurance:

While life insurance isn’t a legal requirement, it’s a good idea to get covered when you’re taking out a mortgage, as Nathan explains.

“Buying a home is a major financial commitment, particularly if you’re purchasing with a partner or have children or other dependents. Moving home is a good moment to consider whether cover is needed and, if so, whether it matches your mortgage.

“Decreasing term policies are often designed so that the payout amount reduces in line with a repayment mortgage, which can help to lower coverage costs. In comparison, level term cover pays out a fixed amount and may suit interest‑only borrowing or families wanting extra financial breathing room. Once you know your mortgage amount and term, comparing policies can help ensure you’re not paying for cover that doesn’t fit your circumstances or leaving gaps in protection.”

2. Secure your mortgage deal as early as possible:

If your mortgage is coming to an end soon, and you’re starting to look around at mortgage options that say they’re time-limited, you can still take advantage.

“Mortgage offers are usually time‑limited, but what many people don’t know is that mortgage offers stand for up to six months, so if your current deal is coming to an end within this time, you don’t have to wait to get a good rate.”

Nathan adds, “If you’re moving house, and getting a new mortgage, it also allows you to plan for associated costs – such as insurance, solicitor fees and moving expenses – with more confidence. In a busy housing market, being financially ready can also make you a more attractive buyer to sellers.”

3. Arrange buildings insurance from exchange, not completion:

Whether you’re getting a mortgage or paying in cash, timing your home insurance policy right could save you some money in a worst-case scenario, as Nathan explains:

“Many buyers don’t realise that they may become responsible for a property as soon as contracts are exchanged, not when they collect the keys. This is why lenders typically insist on buildings insurance being in place from exchange. If the property is damaged by events like fire, flooding or storms in this gap period, the cost of repairs could otherwise fall on you. Setting up cover early ensures the structure of your new home is protected before you officially move in and avoids any last‑minute panic.”

4. Check your contents insurance covers you during the move:

Everyone has a story of something getting damaged or going missing during the moving process, but what many people don’t realise until it’s too late is that home insurance doesn’t always cover your belongings in transit.

“Some insurance policies restrict cover to when professional removers are used, while others set conditions around how items are packed or transported,” Nathan says. “If you’re planning a DIY move, or using a man‑and‑van service, it’s particularly important to check what’s included. Clarifying this in advance can help prevent valuable items from being uninsured during one of the riskiest parts of the moving process.”

5. Reassess the value of your belongings and item limits:

Nathan says: “It’s easy to underestimate how much everything you own is worth, especially if you’ve lived in one place for several years. Moving home is an ideal opportunity to review the total level of contents cover you need and whether high‑value items such as jewellery, bikes, laptops or cameras exceed single‑item limits. Use a contents insurance calculator like this one to help you reassess the value of your belongings.”

6. Get Broadband ready:  

We rely on our internet connection for so much, so being without it can really cause problems. Planning ahead to get your new broadband set up for the day you move in is a great idea, but so is double-checking which broadband provider is right for your new home.

Nathan says: “Broadband speeds and availability can vary dramatically from one street to the next, even within the same town. Before you move, it’s worth checking what services are actually available at your new property and whether they meet your needs for working from home, streaming or gaming. The Go.Compare broadband speed checker lets you see which providers operate in your area and compare speeds and prices, helping you avoid moving in only to find your internet is slower or more expensive than expected.

7.  Plan for the ‘in‑between’ period and update insurers promptly:

Finally, Nathan adds: “If there’s likely to be a gap where your new property is empty, or if your moving dates change, it’s important to tell your insurer as soon as possible. Many policies have restrictions on how long a home can be left unoccupied, which could affect cover. On moving day itself, taking dated photos, recording meter readings and keeping key handover details can all help reduce the risk of later disputes. A little forward planning can make the transition smoother and protect you during a hectic time.”

To find out more about life insurance and what it covers visit here.