Before, during and after moving day
Most people spend months protecting their ability to buy a home, but very few spend time protecting what happens afterwards. Understanding the different types of protection helps you make informed decisions.
Interactive overview
The six types of protection to know
Tap each card to see what it is, why people consider it, and when it's commonly arranged.
Where protection fits
Protection timeline
Different protection products are usually considered at different stages of the home-buying journey — there's no single "right" moment for everything.
- 1
Mortgage Offer
A good moment to start thinking about protection.
- 2
Exchange
The purchase becomes legally binding.
- 3
Buildings Insurance
Must be in place from Exchange.
- 4
Completion
Ownership transfers and keys are released.
- 5
Move In
Contents Insurance is commonly arranged around now.
- 6
Review Family Protection
Life, Critical Illness and Income Protection are often considered.
- 7
Review Your Will
A natural point to write or update your Will.
Which protection covers what?
A quick visual reference — not every protection covers every need. Most homeowners consider a combination that suits their family and circumstances.
| Protection | Pays off mortgage | Family support | Protects income | Protects property | Protects belongings | Records your wishes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life Insurance | ||||||
| Critical Illness | ||||||
| Income Protection | ||||||
| Buildings | ||||||
| Contents | ||||||
| Will |
This overview is educational only and isn't a recommendation of any specific product or provider.
Understanding each protection
A plain-English look at how each one works — so you can talk to an adviser or your family with confidence.
Life Insurance
Life Insurance pays out if the insured person dies during the policy term — typically a lump sum, sometimes an ongoing income.
Homeowners often consider it so that a partner or family isn't left with the mortgage if the worst happens.
Policies can be arranged on a single basis (covering one person) or joint (covering two people, usually paying out on the first death). A qualified adviser can explain which structure may suit your circumstances.
Critical Illness Cover
Critical Illness Cover pays a tax-free lump sum if you're diagnosed with one of the serious conditions listed in the policy — for example a heart attack, stroke or certain cancers.
It differs from Life Insurance in that it pays out while you're still living, helping cover treatment costs, lost income or lifestyle adjustments.
Some homeowners choose to combine the two, arranging a single policy that pays out on either a critical illness diagnosis or death.
Income Protection
Income Protection replaces a portion of your income if you can't work due to illness or injury — usually until you recover, retire or the policy ends.
Where Critical Illness Cover pays a lump sum for specific conditions, Income Protection focuses on your ability to earn — regardless of the reason.
For many homeowners, replacing income during long-term illness is what keeps the mortgage paid and daily life on track.
Buildings Insurance
Buildings Insurance covers the physical structure of your home — walls, roof, floors and permanent fixtures — against events such as fire, flood or storm damage.
Mortgage lenders usually require Buildings Insurance to be in place from the day of Exchange, because you take on the risk of the property from that moment.
Cover levels and excesses vary — it's worth understanding exactly what each policy includes before choosing one.
Contents Insurance
Contents Insurance covers your belongings — furniture, electronics, clothing and personal items — against loss, theft or damage.
It's separate from Buildings Insurance and isn't usually required by lenders, but replacing everything at once would be expensive.
Some policies also cover items you take outside the home, such as bikes, jewellery or laptops — worth checking if that matters to you.
Wills
Buying a property is often a natural moment to write or review a Will, because your estate has just become significantly more valuable.
If someone dies without a Will (known as intestate), their estate is distributed according to fixed legal rules — which may not reflect what they'd have chosen.
Writing a Will can be straightforward, but legal advice is often appropriate — particularly for blended families, joint ownership or larger estates.
GYM Coach
Protection isn't about expecting the worst. It's about making sure everything you've worked so hard to achieve is looked after if life doesn't go to plan.
My Protection Review
Every homeowner's circumstances are different. Coaching helps you understand which areas of protection you may wish to explore based on your family, mortgage and future plans — without recommending specific products or providers.
Personal Protection Review
- • Mortgage cover gap: moderate
- • Income cover: not in place
- • Priority: review with adviser
Family Protection Checklist
- • Life cover on both partners
- • Critical illness considered
- • Guardianship recorded
Homeowner Protection Timeline
- • Buildings from Exchange
- • Contents from Completion
- • Family review month 3
Annual Review Planner
- • Next review: Jan 2027
- • Life event triggers
- • Cover vs mortgage balance
Questions for Your Adviser
- • Single vs joint policy?
- • Guaranteed vs reviewable?
- • Waiver of premium?
Your Protection Priorities
- • 1. Mortgage cover
- • 2. Family income
- • 3. Long-term illness
GYM's coaching is educational. It does not provide regulated protection advice or recommend specific products or providers.
Helpful resources
A starting point for further reading. These links are educational and will be updated over time.
Life Insurance
Independent guidance and comparison sites.
Critical Illness Cover
Educational articles from consumer bodies.
Income Protection
How policies work and what to look for.
Buildings Insurance
Understanding cover levels and rebuild costs.
Contents Insurance
Working out how much cover you need.
Writing a Will
Options for writing or reviewing your Will.