Buildings insurance
Imagine if your house was destroyed by fire - but the buildings insurance didn't cover the cost of rebuilding because of inflation.

That's why insurers index-link the sum insured. This deals with rising or falling rebuilding costs, and is measured by the House Rebuilding Cost Index - provided by the British Chartered Institute of Surveyors

However, you could still be underinsured if you make any home improvements - such as adding an extension or fitting double glazing. So be sure contact your buildings insurer as soon as you make any improvements.

Contents insurance
How do you know if you've got the right level of contents cover?

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) recommends you go from room to room - not forgetting the loft, shed and garage. You'll need to write down what it would cost to replace every item - new and at today's prices. Visit the ABI's Home Contents Insurance Calculator

Garden insurance
Gardening is big business. According to the Horticultural Trades Association, green-fingered Britons spend more than £4 billion a year on plants, furniture and other garden items - including chimineas, barbecues and outdoor heaters.

There are also an increasing number of householders who are happy to pay a few thousand for a garden makeover by professional garden designers.

But if you read your current contents policy, it's unlikely much in your garden or shed will be covered by a standard contents insurance policy.

So check whether your insurance covers your garden items and ask your insurer to extend cover if necessary.

Find out more
Unearth more facts about home insurance from NatWest's MoneySense website