Homeowners could be paying up to £51 more on their home insurance depending on their answer to a single question: relationship status. New analysis by consumer group Which?, drawing on Compare the Market data, reveals distinct variations in average premiums based on how applicants classify themselves.
Married homeowners face highest premiums
Married homeowners face the steepest average annual premium at £213, in contrast with £179 for cohabiting couples, £177 for those in civil partnerships and £162 for single applicants. That constitutes a difference of £51 between married and single homeowners, based on the identical dataset, demonstrating how premiums can fluctuate considerably between household categories.
However, specialists emphasise that this does not mean merely selecting "married" automatically inflates the cost of cover. Rather, relationship status is utilised as one of numerous data elements in broader risk assessment, alongside property valuation, rebuild expenses, location and contents protection.
Why married couples pay more
Which? clarifies that married couples are statistically more prone to live in more substantial properties with elevated rebuild costs and more precious belongings, which inherently drives up the expense of insurance. That indicates the variation in premiums relates more to household composition than relationship status as such, with insurers calculating prices based on risk exposure rather than marital status in isolation.
Home insurance pricing relies on sophisticated modelling that evaluates the likelihood of a claim and its potential cost, meaning minor differences in data can influence the ultimate quotation. Industry figures from the Association of British Insurers say the average home insurance claim in the UK stood at £4,668 in 2023, highlighting why insurers attach such importance to precise risk information.
Accuracy and comparison advice
Consumer experts also caution that accuracy is crucial when completing applications, as inaccurate or inconsistent details could impact both pricing and claim validity. Which? advises shoppers to compare policies thoroughly, as premiums can differ substantially between providers even when coverage appears comparable.
Ultimately, the relationship status question concerns less the marital status itself and more the broader financial and lifestyle context insurers employ to calculate risk.
