"Older homes tend to have higher insurance costs as they suffer from age-related problems, which is why it’s so surprising that those built in the 2000s are among the most expensive"
- Nathan Blackler - Go Compare
New data shows that older homes usually have higher premiums, while newer ones see some of the lowest, yet those built in the 2000s are among the most expensive. Now, homebuyers are being warned about falling into this trap when searching for a property.
The figures are based on internal data from Go.Compare home insurance, which looked at the effect of property age on policy prices. Now, the comparison site is advising residents about how this affects their insurance costs and what they can do to bring them down.
According to the figures, a property’s age can impact your premium by an average of £37, although the median cost varied by up to £74 in some instances. Those built in the 2020s have median policy prices of £184, the cheapest of any decade, and premiums for properties built in the 2010s are similarly low at £199. However, the cost shoots up to £258 for those made earlier than 1950.
The age of the policyholder can have a similar impact on prices. Older homeowners are generally seen as less of a risk due to being more security-conscious and financially secure. The median premium varies by up to £68 based on age - £37 on average.
“Older homes tend to have higher insurance costs as they suffer from age-related problems, which is why it’s so surprising that those built in the 2000s are among the most expensive," explained Nathan Blackler, home insurance expert at Go.Compare, “The reason for this could be because there was a housing shortage in this decade, which might have driven a quantity over quality approach to housebuilding. This could have resulted in a wave of homes that are less durable, leading to more claims for properties made in this decade and higher premiums.
“It also could be that the most recent houses are higher cost because they are more likely to be occupied by younger people. Younger policyholders can sometimes have higher premiums than older residents as they’re generally less security conscious and less financially secure, among other reasons," he added “As a result, this could be pushing up the average for homes built in the 2000s. The 2000s aside, the lower premiums that usually come with new builds could make them a good option for younger residents.
Nathan concluded, “This research shows why it’s really important to check insurance prices before moving or changing your home. Comparing policies will allow you to see how changing things might affect your premium, allowing you to take any extra costs into account in your budget. You can also try reducing insurance costs by avoiding unnecessary add-ons, improving security and making sure you don’t pay for more cover than needed,”
