When the world changes, your insurance must too
For many high-net-worth homeowners, insurance has traditionally been something that quietly “ticks along in the background”. But the risk environment surrounding premium homes has shifted, materially and permanently.
In 2026, the question is no longer “Am I insured?”
It’s “Is my insurance still fit for the world my home now sits in?”
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.
In 2026, the question is no longer “Am I insured?”
It’s “Is my insurance still fit for the world my home now sits in?”
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.
Risk has changed, even if your home hasn’t
Several risks are converging: escape of water remains the leading cause of claims; flood risk now extends beyond traditional high-risk areas; theft-to-order continues to rise; and rebuild costs are increasing due to specialist labour and material shortages.
As a result, many homes are more exposed today than they were five years ago, even if nothing about the property itself has changed.
As a result, many homes are more exposed today than they were five years ago, even if nothing about the property itself has changed.
Why historic cover often
falls short
We regularly see policies that were entirely appropriate when first arranged but haven’t kept pace with:
• Rising reinstatement costs
• Increased contents values
• Changes in occupancy or lifestyle
• Insurer expectations around security and prevention
The result is often silent underinsurance, only discovered at the point of claim.
• Rising reinstatement costs
• Increased contents values
• Changes in occupancy or lifestyle
• Insurer expectations around security and prevention
The result is often silent underinsurance, only discovered at the point of claim.
The growing importance of prevention
Insurers are increasingly rewarding proactive risk management, including:
• Leak detection and auto-shutoff systems
• Upgraded security and monitoring
• Clear unoccupancy protocols for second homes
• Regular professional valuations
These aren’t just “nice to have” features, they’re becoming fundamental to maintaining broad, flexible cover.
• Leak detection and auto-shutoff systems
• Upgraded security and monitoring
• Clear unoccupancy protocols for second homes
• Regular professional valuations
These aren’t just “nice to have” features, they’re becoming fundamental to maintaining broad, flexible cover.
What high-value homeowners should do now
A meaningful review should look beyond price and ask:
• Is my rebuild value accurate today?
• Are my collections correctly valued and specified?
• Does my policy reflect how the home is actually used?
• Would I expect meaningful support if a serious claim occurred?
At Brownhill, we believe peace of mind comes from clarity, not assumptions.
• Is my rebuild value accurate today?
• Are my collections correctly valued and specified?
• Does my policy reflect how the home is actually used?
• Would I expect meaningful support if a serious claim occurred?
At Brownhill, we believe peace of mind comes from clarity, not assumptions.
Final thought
High-value homes deserve high-quality thinking.
In a higher-risk world, insurance should evolve alongside your lifestyle, not lag behind it. As your home, possessions, and the way you live change over time, so too should the protection around them, thoughtfully reviewed, carefully structured, and designed to keep pace with the realities of today, not yesterday.
