Protecting what matters, with clarity and confidence.
For many of our private clients, a home isn’t just a place to live — it’s a reflection of a lifetime of work, style, and carefully curated possessions. But as the world changes, so do the risks. Rising rebuild costs, supply-chain pressures, extreme weather, and the increasing sophistication of theft all make it more important than ever to ensure your cover is accurate, up to date, and truly fit for purpose in 2025.
To help you stay ahead, we’ve created a simple, practical checklist designed for owners of high-value homes, listed properties, second homes, and modern smart homes.
To help you stay ahead, we’ve created a simple, practical checklist designed for owners of high-value homes, listed properties, second homes, and modern smart homes.
Review your Rebuild Value - don’t rely on market price
The most common cause of underinsurance isn’t the value of the home… it’s the cost to rebuild it.
Rebuild costs continue to rise due to specialist labour, heritage materials, and global supply shortages. If your property hasn’t been surveyed within the last few years, your current sum insured may no longer reflect today’s reality.
Tip: A professional valuation provides peace of mind that your cover is aligned with actual reinstatement costs, not estimates or assumptions.
Rebuild costs continue to rise due to specialist labour, heritage materials, and global supply shortages. If your property hasn’t been surveyed within the last few years, your current sum insured may no longer reflect today’s reality.
Tip: A professional valuation provides peace of mind that your cover is aligned with actual reinstatement costs, not estimates or assumptions.
Update the value of contents, jewellery & watches
Fine art, jewellery, watches, and designer collections can all fluctuate significantly in value. Many insurers now require items over specific thresholds to be listed individually with up-to-date valuations.
Consider a refresh if:
• You’ve purchased new high-value items
• Your last valuation is more than two years old
• You have sentimental items that may be undervalued
For collections, we can help you arrange current valuations to ensure everything is insured for its true worth.
Consider a refresh if:
• You’ve purchased new high-value items
• Your last valuation is more than two years old
• You have sentimental items that may be undervalued
For collections, we can help you arrange current valuations to ensure everything is insured for its true worth.
Protect your home from escape of water — still the biggest risk
Water damage remains the leading cause of household claims.
Modern homes with open-plan layouts, underfloor heating, and multiple bathrooms can be especially vulnerable.
A few proactive steps can dramatically reduce the risk:
• Install a leak-detection device
• Lag pipes and insulate tanks
• Use auto-shutoff valves in second homes
• Check that tradespeople working on plumbing are accredited
Small steps, big impact.
Modern homes with open-plan layouts, underfloor heating, and multiple bathrooms can be especially vulnerable.
A few proactive steps can dramatically reduce the risk:
• Install a leak-detection device
• Lag pipes and insulate tanks
• Use auto-shutoff valves in second homes
• Check that tradespeople working on plumbing are accredited
Small steps, big impact.
Check your security — thieves are more sophisticated than ever
Theft “to order” continues to rise, particularly for watches, jewellery, and cars.
Reviewing your security setup — alarms, doors, windows, safes, lighting, and CCTV — can make a meaningful difference. For many high-value homes, insurers offer enhanced cover when approved security systems are installed and maintained.
If you’re unsure whether your security is still adequate, we can help you review it.
Reviewing your security setup — alarms, doors, windows, safes, lighting, and CCTV — can make a meaningful difference. For many high-value homes, insurers offer enhanced cover when approved security systems are installed and maintained.
If you’re unsure whether your security is still adequate, we can help you review it.
Ensure your second home or holiday property is correctly classified
Misunderstandings around occupancy, letting, or maintenance requirements are common — and costly.
If you:
• let your holiday home,
• leave it unoccupied for extended periods, or
• have building works planned,
you may need specific cover.
Our Private Client team can advise on the best way to protect both primary and secondary homes under a unified, streamlined approach.
If you:
• let your holiday home,
• leave it unoccupied for extended periods, or
• have building works planned,
you may need specific cover.
Our Private Client team can advise on the best way to protect both primary and secondary homes under a unified, streamlined approach.
Review your personal liability cover
With more people entertaining guests at home, owning pets, or having domestic staff, personal liability cover is increasingly important — yet often overlooked.
Ensuring you have the right protection in place helps cover unexpected accidents and claims brought by visitors or third parties.
Ensuring you have the right protection in place helps cover unexpected accidents and claims brought by visitors or third parties.
Your home, protected with precision
At Brownhill Insurance Group, we believe peace of mind comes from being proactive, not reactive. Our brokers take the time to understand you, your home, and what matters most — ensuring that every detail is protected with care.
If you’d like to review your policies or discuss any of the points above, our Private Client team is here to help.
Get in touch with us for tailored advice and a truly personal service.
