Married homeowners are paying substantially more for home insurance than single households, according to new research from Compare the Market.
The comparison website found that married homeowners paid an average of £213 for home insurance in May 2026, compared with £162 for single homeowners. The £51 gap means married households face premiums that are 31% higher on average than those paid by single homeowners.
Single homeowners were found to be the cheapest marital status group to insure, while homeowners in civil partnerships paid an average of £177 and cohabiting homeowners paid £179.
Compare the Market said the difference in premiums may reflect the types of properties being insured. Couples and families are more likely to live in larger homes with higher rebuild costs and greater levels of contents cover.
Despite paying the highest premiums, married homeowners have seen insurance costs fall over recent years. Average premiums for this group have declined by 12% since 2024.
The downward trend has also been seen across other household types. Premiums have fallen by 18% for homeowners in civil partnerships, 17% for cohabiting homeowners and 18% for single homeowners over the same period.
Separate analysis of policy structures found that joint home insurance policies cost £208 on average, making them 19% more expensive than policies held by a sole policyholder, which average £175.
While joint policies can simplify administration and claims handling for households, insurers may factor in additional risks when assessing cover. These can include the claims history of either policyholder and whether one of the applicants works in a higher-risk occupation.
However, premiums for joint policies have also fallen since 2024, declining by 13% on average.
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.
“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.”
The findings suggest that while insurance costs have eased across all household types in recent years, marital status and household composition continue to play a role in determining the price homeowners pay for cover.
