What is Home Insurance
Home insurance, also known as property insurance or homeowner insurance, covers the damages caused to the structure and the home's contents from unexpected loss or damage caused by theft, natural calamity, fire accident, etc. A home insurance policy covers your own house, rented house, apartment or luxury mansion.
Benefits & Features of Home Insurance
Here are several benefits and features of a home insurance policy:
Home Insurance Policy Tenure
Home insurance policies are available for long-term and one-year policy terms. Long-term home insurance policies come with a policy tenure of more than one year. Take a look at the following policy tenure options under home insurance:
List of Home Insurance Plans in India
The following table showcases a list of all the insurance companies offering home insurance plans in India, along with their coverage and optional covers available:



Core Components of a Home Insurance Policy
Home insurance policies are available for long-term and one-year policy terms. Long-term home insurance policies come with a policy tenure of more than one year. Take a look at the following policy tenure options under home insurance:
Covered & Not Covered Under Home Insurance Policy
Fire & Allied Perils
Covers damages due to fire, lightning, explosion, aircraft damage, riots, strikes, storms, cyclones, floods, and missile testing operations.
Earthquake Cover
Offers protection against structural and content loss caused by earthquakes (excluding flooding or overflow resulting from quakes in some policies).
Burglary & Theft
Covers loss or damage to home contents such as electronics, jewellery, and valuables (when stored in a locked safe).
Natural Calamities
Includes protection against floods, storms, cyclones, and other natural disasters (subject to specific policy terms).
Man-made Incidents
Includes damages due to riots, strikes, malicious acts, or impact damage (e.g., vehicle crashes).
Wear & Tear/Depreciation
Losses due to ageing, regular wear, or lack of maintenance.
Loss of Cash
Physical cash or currency is not covered under theft or loss claims.
War & Invasion
Any damage caused by war, enemy attack, or military activity.
Nuclear Events
Damages resulting from nuclear accidents, radiation, or contamination.
Electrical Overload
Damage to electronics due to excessive voltage, overrunning, or pressure is excluded.
Natural Earth Movement
Loss due to volcanic eruptions, erosion, or landslides (unless specifically covered).
Pre-existing Damages
Any known or existing defects/damages before policy initiation are not covered.
*Disclaimer: *Disclaimer: A home insurance policy's above-mentioned inclusions and exclusions are general guidelines. The policy coverage details, limits, and exclusions may vary from insurer to insurer. Please refer to the specific policy document for exact terms & conditions.
Types of Home Insurance Polices
In India, property owners, homeowners, and tenants can choose from various house insurance policies, depending on their property type, ownership status, and specific needs. Here are different types of property insurance explained below:
The SFSP is one of the most common home insurance policies in India. It financially protects the house's structure and contents against risks like fire, lightning, explosion, storms, cyclones, floods, riots, and strikes. Banks or lenders often require this type of policy when you take a home loan or home loan insurance.
The BGR is another essential and most sold policy launched by IRDAI. It is a standardised home insurance policy designed for mass adoption. It covers the home's structure and/or contents against fire, natural calamities, and certain man-made events. The sum insured is based on the reinstatement value of the house, and is quite popular among Indians due to its affordability.
This type of policy only covers the home's structure, including walls, roof, flooring, and other built-up areas. It is suitable for homeowners who don't need contents cover or have separate protection for their belongings.
This policy covers personal belongings in the home, such as furniture, electronics, appliances, clothes, and valuables. It protects from risks like fire, theft, and natural disasters and is helpful for tenants who do not own the property but want to insure their belongings.
Home Insurance Add-on Covers
Home insurance add-ons or riders can be purchased to enhance the base policy. Some common add-ons include:
Eligibility Criteria to Buy a Home Insurance Plan
Anyone fulfilling the following criteria is eligible to buy a home insurance policy:
Why Should you Buy a Home Insurance Policy?
As a homeowner, securing your home from every possible peril is essential. Let us understand some reasons which make buying house insurance a necessity:
First, house insurance is essential as it protects your dwelling from any damage/loss that may occur at any time. For instance, if a tree fell upon the roof of your house or a vehicle collided with the boundary wall of your home premises, the correct type of property insurance will cover the incurred expenses.
If you intend to take a loan to either construct a house or buy a house, the bank will ask you to provide evidence that the property is insured, as you look forward to a home loan.
If a third person suffers any injury while on your property, having a home insurance policy will secure you from legal and third-party liabilities.
It also covers the appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, televisions, microwaves and other electrical appliances, furniture and furnishings, and jewellery, depending on the house insurance plan you choose.
What is Home Loan Insurance?
If you are planning to buy a home through a loan, banks may recommend or require you to have home loan insurance. A home loan insurance policy ensures that in case of the borrower's unfortunate death or disability, the outstanding loan amount is repaid, protecting your family from financial stress.
What is a Home Loan EMI calculator?
Before opting for a loan, it's essential to estimate your monthly instalments. Using our Home Loan EMI Calculator, you can easily check your repayment schedule, interest burden, and affordability. This helps in better financial planning alongside your home and home insurance purchase.
How to Calculate Home Insurance Premium Online?
Using an online home insurance premium calculator, you can easily find the estimated premium to insure your house and its contents. Using the steps below, you can do it without any hassles:
How to Buy Home Insurance Online?
The following are the basic steps involved in buying a home insurance policy online from Policybazaar.com:
Go to the official website of Policybazaar Insurance Brokers Private Limited and click on the 'Home Insurance' section.
To proceed, fill in your full name and mobile number in the provided form.
Choose any optional covers based on your needs, such as:
- Home structure cover
- Household items
- Jewellery and valuables
- Home loan insurance
Then click on 'View Quotes'.
Enter your property information, such as:
- Current market value of your house
- Value of your household items
- City or location of your property
Then click on 'View Discounted Plans' to proceed.
How to Raise Home Insurance Claims?
When the insured home becomes uninhabitable, the homeowners must raise the home insurance claim as soon as possible. Here is a comprehensive guide to filing home insurance claims online:
Documents Required to File Home Insurance Claims
Here is a list of documents required for filing home insurance claims in India:
How to Lower your Home Insurance Premium?
While home insurance is an essential policy for safeguarding your property and its belongings, a few strategies can help in bringing your house insurance cost down:
Who Should Buy a Home Insurance Plan?
One common misconception is that only 'homeowners/property owners' need insurance. But that is not true. A home insurance policy is equally important whether you own or live in a rented place.
Here is a list of individuals who must opt for this policy:
Let's take the example of Mr. Vijay Rao, whose furniture and appliances worth ₹8 lakh were destroyed after moving into a rented apartment in Mumbai. Fortunately, he had a flat insurance policy that covered household contents. It helped him recover smoothly and avoid financial stress.
Tenants may not own the property, but they own belongings in the policy, such as furniture, electronics, and personal belongings. A contents insurance policy protects these valuables from fire, theft, or natural disasters.
If you're a landlord, your concern is primarily protecting the house's structure. You can skip contents insurance if your tenant owns the belongings. If you hold home contents/belongings in the house, buy structural and content coverage.
Handy Tips for Choosing a Home Insurance Plan in India
With various options available in the insurance market, selecting the right plan can be overwhelming. To ease your selection process, we have listed down important points which should be compared while choosing one home insurance provider over others:
Begin by assessing your property's specific risks based on its location and structure.
For example:
If your home is in a flood-prone or landslide/rockslide area, ensure the policy covers such natural disasters. While choosing a plan, make sure the coverage aligns with your needs and the premium fits within your budget.
To make this easier:
- Use a home insurance premium calculator to get an estimated premium for free.
- Compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best deal.
A good insurer means excellent CSR. Therefore, always check the insurer's Claim Settlement Ratio (CSR) and their average turnaround time for claim approvals. An efficient insurance provider is known for efficient and timely claim settlements. A poor claim experience can defeat the purpose of buying insurance in the first place.
The insurer's reliability and customer service play a crucial role during emergencies. Before deciding:
- Read their customer reviews and ratings.
- Check if the company offers 24x7 support
- Ensure their representatives are helpful, knowledgeable, and responsive.
A well-reputed home insurance provider should easily guide you through queries, claims, and documentation.
Home Insurance Companies
Home Insurance Policy FAQs
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Q. What do you mean by home insurance?
Ans: A policy that protects your house structure and/or contents against risks like fire, theft, accidents, and natural disasters is called a home insurance policy. -
Q. Is it good to buy home insurance?
Ans: Yes, definitely, it safeguards you from unexpected financial losses. -
Q. Can we do insurance for a house?
Ans: Yes, both owned and rented homes can be insured. -
Q. Is it essential to have home insurance?
Ans: It is not mandatory, but highly recommended to get ultimate protection. -
Q. Why is home insurance not popular in India?
Ans: The basic reason for the low popularity of home insurance in India is low awareness and misconceptions about low risks.
