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In 2026, rebuild cost accuracy is under pressure from five key areas: labour capacity, regulatory standards, material price variation, property complexity and the age of the valuation. It is no longer enough for a sum insured to look plausible. It also needs to be supported by evidence that reflects current reinstatement conditions. “Rebuild cost accuracy is about more than the price of materials,” said Gautham Rajendar, Technical Lead at RebuildCostASSESSMENT.com. “It’s a co

The conversation around rebuild costs often focuses on underinsurance, but overinsurance can also create unnecessary costs. In 2026, FCA fair-value scrutiny remains relevant, so materially inflated sums insured may need to be clearly justified. “Overinsurance is often overlooked because it sounds safer than being underinsured,” said Sharon Masters AIIRSM MARLA TechCIOB, Technical Lead and Surveyor at RebuildCostASSESSMENT.com. “But in practice, it means a client could be payi

When should a property alteration prompt a rebuild cost assessment? Property alterations can improve a building, but they can also change its rebuild cost. Where works materially affect a building’s size, layout, specification or services, the sum insured may need to be reviewed. “It is a common misconception that smaller renovation projects will not affect the rebuild cost of a property,” said Sharon Masters AIIRSM MARLA, Technical Lead and Surveyor at RebuildCostASSESSMENT.

What is commercial landlord insurance and how does it link to your lease? Commercial landlord insurance covers landlords who let out business premises like shops, offices, warehouses and mixed-use property. It usually covers the building, property owners’ liability and loss of rent. Your commercial lease should say who arranges the cover, how the cost is passed on and what happens if the building is damaged. In many commercial leases, the landlord arranges the buildings insur

A new regional breakdown of RebuildCostASSESSMENT.com’s latest data has revealed just how unevenly inaccurate building insurance is spread across the UK, with Wales , the North West and Northern Ireland emerging as some of the areas most exposed to underinsurance . Based on the latest RCA analysis, 70% of properties in the UK are underinsured overall , while 23% are overinsured . That leaves only a small minority covered for the right amount, reinforcing the scale of the ch

The UK’s soft insurance market is giving brokers a rare opportunity to address chronic underinsurance, as new industry insight shows the problem is increasingly leading to reduced or declined claims. Research from Aviva’s 2026 Broker Barometer indicates that underinsurance is no longer a hidden issue but one now regularly affecting claims outcomes. Brokers report growing concern that clients are discovering gaps in cover only after a loss, prompting renewed focus on ensuring

Getting the building sum insured right is one of the most important parts of arranging appropriate cover. It is also an area that can easily cause confusion if the basis of the figure has not been clearly explained. At a time when the FCA remains focused on fair value and client outcomes, brokers have an important role to play in helping clients understand what the sum insured is really there for. A building sum insured is not the property’s market value and it is not a fig

Commercial properties across the UK face a growing risk of underinsurance in 2026 as rebuild costs and compliance requirements continue to change. Rising rebuild costs, regulatory change and more complex rebuilding requirements can leave even well-managed portfolios underinsured if sums insured are not kept up to date. “Commercial reinstatement is inherently more complicated than domestic rebuilding,” said Gautham Rajendar, Technical Lead for Commercial Properties at...

Materials inflation has eased. Labour costs remain elevated and that is where reinstatement values can shift most quickly. Recent government data shows materials price growth easing, with the “All Work” materials index rose 3,3% in the year to December 2025. However, construction earnings data and insurer commentary continue to highlight labour shortages and sustained pay growth. Where skilled trades are constrained, repair and reinstatement costs can remain under pressure.

If you’ve ever seen “desktop” and “site” rebuild cost assessments and thought, “Right… but what’s the actual difference — and does it matter?” you’re not alone. It’s one of the questions we’re most often asked by people coming to us for the first time. And the honest answer is: both options can be the right one – it just depends on the building, the level of complexity, and what you need the valuation to stand up to. What do “desktop” and “site” actually mean? A desktop rebu

In high-net-worth (HNW) property insurance, underinsurance has long been a concern. And rightly so – with 70% of UK properties insured for less than they should be. However, overinsurance is increasingly drawing attention. Many premium homes are insured for more than their true rebuild cost . This means HNW property owners are paying more than they need to for their insurance, while brokers face potential challenges in evidencing fair value under the FCA’s Consumer Duty. “A

For brokers, 2026 brings a sharper and more personal spotlight on the accuracy of sums insured. Under the FCA’s Consumer Duty and fair-value expectations, brokers must be able to evidence, explain, and defend valuation accuracy within their advice process. Both over and underinsurance create client detriment – one through shortfall, the other through wasted premium – and neither is defensible when proper valuation data are available.“A broker’s duty doesn’t end with arranging

Renewal season is approaching, and for many property owners, that means one crucial question: does your current sum insured still reflect today’s rebuild cost? In 2026, the answer is often “no.” With rebuild costs still rising and insurers tightening their focus on valuation accuracy, renewal reviews are now essential to avoiding both underinsurance and unnecessary premium spend. To understand the scale of inaccurate property insurance in the UK, take a look at our latest inf

Many UK property owners assume that higher sums insured lead to better protection. New analysis shows this is not the case. While awareness of underinsurance has grown, insurance accuracy remains low across all major sums insured bands. As sums insured rise, behaviour changes – but accuracy does not. Underinsurance often gives way to overinsurance, while correct cover remains rare. This research builds on our annual property insurance infographic, which found that just 7% of

A new FCA push on home insurance claims standards, triggered by a Which? super-complaint, is putting renewed pressure on insurers and brokers to prove that policies will perform at the moment of truth. Which?’s super-complaint, submitted to the Financial Conduct Authority in September 2025, accused the home and travel insurance markets of failing consumers when claims are made, arguing that poor outcomes were being driven by weak oversight, unclear products and an enforcement

Construction costs across the UK remain high as we enter winter 2026. While inflation has slowed in the broader economy, rebuild costs continue to rise – driven by elevated labour rates, material inputs, and regulatory pressures. For property owners and insurance professionals, this means one thing: regular, data-driven review of sums insured is more critical than ever. Rebuild costs still rising “While the headline rate might look moderate, the detail tells a different story

Eviction is becoming slower and more costly. With Section 21 ending under the Renters’ Rights Bill, landlords now face longer court delays and higher legal fees when a tenant stops paying rent. Protecting rental income is more important than ever. Three types of cover support this: Rent Guarantee Insurance – protects you when a tenant does not pay Landlord Legal Expenses Insurance – covers the legal cost of eviction Loss of Rent Insurance – replaces income when the propert

Thatched properties are some of the most beautiful homes in the UK, full of history, character, and craftsmanship. But they’re also among the most complex when it comes to insurance. Because every thatched home is unique, estimating what it would cost to rebuild can be difficult. If your building's insurance hasn’t been reviewed for a while, there’s a real risk it no longer reflects the true rebuild cost. Why thatched homes need special attention We’ve assessed thousands of

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025, which received Royal Assent on 27 October, marks the biggest overhaul of England’s private rental sector in a generation. While much of the attention has centred on tenant protections and the end of “no-fault” evictions, the law could also reshape the financial landscape for landlords and insurers, particularly when it comes to rebuild costs. Higher property standards, higher rebuild values A major shift lies in the extension of the Decent Homes

Landlord insurance quotes in the UK can vary a lot – not only in price, but in what they actually cover. Before you compare policies or look for the lowest premium, it helps to understand what drives those costs and how to make a fair comparison. A key factor is your property’s rebuild cost – the amount every insurer uses to set your premium. If that figure is wrong, the rest of your cover can quickly fall apart. Recent data from over 43,000 assessments by RebuildCostASSESSM

Landlord insurance add-ons: are they really protecting you? When you take out landlord home insurance cover, you want to protect both your income and your property. Many landlords looking for total landlord legal & rent protection insurance add extras. These include rent guarantee, landlord home emergency cover, or boiler breakdown insurance. All which help with the most common problems, such as broken boilers, burst pipes, or tenants who stop paying rent. But what if, even w

Not every property is straightforward, and when it comes to rebuild cost assessments, one size doesn’t always fit all. In this episode of 2-Minute Tuesday , I explain what happens if your property isn’t suitable for a desktop assessment. When a desktop assessment isn't the right fit Some buildings need a closer look. Whether it's a listed property, unusually large, or simply too complex to assess remotely, we’ll always prioritise getting the figure right. If that happens, we’

Inaccurate building insurance continues to pose significant risks across the UK, with the latest property insurance infographic from...

The government has confirmed that a Building Safety Levy will come into effect on 1 October 2026 . It’s part of the ongoing reforms...