Married couples facing highest home cover costs

Married homeowners are paying £34 a year more on average for their home insurance policies than any other marital group.

This is according to new research released today (22 June 2026) by comparison site Compare the Market, which found that married couples pay on average £213 a year for their cover.

The figure is markedly higher than the £179 paid by cohabiting but unmarried couples, the £177 paid by couples in a civil partnership and the £162 paid by single homeowners.

Compare the Market suggested that couples and families are more likely to inhabit “larger homes with higher rebuild values and cover more possessions under one policy”.

However, married couples have also seen the cost of their cover fall by a considerably lower amount than other demographics. Indeed, since May 2024 their average premiums have declined by just 12% – compared to 17%, 18% and 18% for unmarried couples, civil partners and single homeowners respectively.

Higher premiums

Amy Rootham, home insurance expert at Compare the Market, said: “Home insurance premiums can vary based on a wide range of factors, including the size of a property, the value of its contents and the number of people living in the home.

“As couples and families may often live in larger properties and own more possessions, this can sometimes contribute to higher premiums. Married or cohabiting households may also be more likely to insure higher-value items under a single policy, which can increase the overall cost of cover.”

She continued: “While joint policies can be a convenient way for households to manage their home insurance, they may not always be the cheapest option in every circumstance, particularly if one policyholder has a previous claims history or a high-risk occupation.

“That’s why it’s always important for homeowners to regularly review their policy details to make sure their policy is a true reflection of their living arrangements. It might also be helpful to compare quotes to make sure they are getting the right deal for their circumstances at a great price.”