A poll by home insurer NFU Mutual has found that millions of home owners could be at risk of underinsurance as just 4.8% of respondents intend to increase the level of cover for rebuild costs in their home insurance.

The poll found that a significantly greater number of homeowners – 7.9% – intended to reduce their rebuild cost cover, while the vast majority – 87% – would keep cover the same.

NFU Mutual argues that this highlights an area of confusion for many, as falling house prices reduce the value of people’s homes but inflationary rises in the cost of materials and labour greatly increase the cost to rebuild a property which has been destroyed.

House prices have dropped by over 4% since their peak last year, with many analysts predicting further reductions to come. However, inflation and supply chain problems have driven up the cost of both labour and the materials used in property construction and repairs. Rebuild costs have outstripped inflation, rising 19% from 2022 to 2023, according to the BCIS rebuilding cost index.

Andrew Chalk, home insurance specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “Although house prices are falling, inflation is sending rebuild costs ever higher, so now is not the time to be reducing rebuild cover.

“With the vast majority of respondents saying they intend to keep cover the same, this poll suggests that most people are not falling into the trap of confusing property value with rebuild cost.

“However, the soaring cost of construction could mean that these people could also find themselves underinsured, particularly if they haven’t changed their rebuild cost cover for a number of years.

“If anything, homeowners should check whether this should be increased to ensure they are fully protected should the worst happen. As only 4.8% indicated they intended to do this, there could be a worrying number of homeowners exposing themselves to the risk of underinsurance and not being able to reinstate their home should it be destroyed.

“We urge everyone not to confuse house prices with rebuild costs and to check with your insurer, a chartered surveyor, or on the BCIS Public Rebuild Calculator to make sure you are not underinsured. Those in older properties, listed buildings or with unusual construction like thatched roofs should remember that the cost of reinstatement is likely to be more due to the specialist skills and equipment needed to rebuild the property.”