Buildings Insurance
Covered damage to structures and permanent fixtures, including qualifying repair costs.
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Insurance Claims Calculators UK
Explore UK insurance claims calculators for home and contents insurance, property damage, vehicle total loss, policy excess, underinsurance and business interruption. Understand how insured values, repair costs, policy limits, deductions and coverage conditions can affect a potential insurance settlement.
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Insurance Claim Value Calculators
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7 calculators found
Explore insurance settlement tools
Home & Property
Home Insurance Claim Value Calculator
Explore building damage repair costs, insured limits, covered expenses and possible policy deductions following a home insurance loss.
Home & PropertyContents Insurance Claim Calculator
Organise household item values, replacement costs, item limits, deductions and reimbursements for qualifying contents losses.
Home & PropertyProperty Damage Claim Calculator
Explore insured property repair, reinstatement and related covered costs while considering the cause of damage and the relevant policy terms.
Vehicle InsuranceVehicle Total Loss Calculator
Estimate an illustrative vehicle write-off settlement using pre-incident market value and relevant policy adjustments.
Policy AdjustmentsInsurance Excess Calculator
Explore how compulsory and voluntary excess amounts may affect the net payment under a covered claim.
Policy AdjustmentsUnderinsurance Calculator
Compare sum insured with actual replacement value and illustrate proportionate adjustments where a valid average clause applies.
Business InsuranceBusiness Interruption Insurance Calculator
Explore policy-based business interruption figures such as insured profit loss, extra costs of working and relevant indemnity periods.
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UK Insurance Claims
Common Types of Insurance Claims
Insurance policies cover different types of risks. The terms of the relevant policy determine what is insured and how a claim may be settled.
Contents Insurance
Covered possessions damaged, destroyed or stolen, subject to item limits.
Property Damage
Covered incidents involving fire, escape of water, storms or other insured events.
Vehicle Write-Offs
Total-loss settlements commonly assessed using pre-incident vehicle value.
Underinsurance
Insufficient insured value that may affect a claim if relevant conditions are met.
Business Interruption
Potential business losses during a covered interruption, under the particular policy.
Insurance Settlement Calculations
How Is an Insurance Claim Value Calculated?
Different insurance policies use different methods. A covered loss may involve repair, replacement, cash settlement or another contractual remedy.
Establishing the Covered Loss
First, identify the insured event and the resulting damage or loss. Depending on the policy, valuation may be based on repairs, replacement, reinstatement or market value.
- Cause and date of incident
- Covered items or property
- Repair or replacement evidence
- Policy-specific settlement basis
- Relevant additional expenses
Applying Policy Adjustments
The initial loss assessment may be adjusted using policy limits, excesses, valid exclusions, recoveries and other applicable terms.
- Sum insured and item sublimits
- Applicable claim excess
- Valid underinsurance terms
- Previous payments or recoveries
- Policy conditions and exclusions
Important:
A financial worksheet
can illustrate a potential
net settlement, but it
cannot confirm that an
event is insured,
interpret every exclusion
or determine an insurer's
final payment obligation.
Home and Household Insurance
Home Insurance and Contents Claim Calculations
Home insurance commonly divides cover into buildings and contents. These sections cover different property and may have different limits, excesses and settlement conditions.
Buildings Insurance
Buildings cover generally concerns the structure and permanent fixtures. A qualifying claim may involve repairs, reinstatement work and other expenses expressly provided by the policy.
Rebuild Cost vs Market Value
A property's rebuilding cost is not the same as its sale price. It can include materials, labour, demolition, site clearance and relevant professional fees. The correct sum insured should follow the policy requirements.
Contents Insurance
Contents normally include possessions such as furniture, clothing, appliances and electronics. Insurers may replace items, arrange repair or offer cash based on the policy.
New-for-Old vs Indemnity Value
Some policies provide new-for-old replacement on eligible items, while others apply depreciation or different settlement terms. Specific single-item limits may also apply.
Alternative Accommodation
Some buildings policies cover reasonable temporary accommodation where the insured home becomes uninhabitable following a qualifying incident, subject to policy limits.
Property Damage Assessments
Property Damage Insurance: Repairs, Replacement and Settlement
A property damage claim may arise from an insured incident affecting residential or commercial premises. The estimate normally begins with the nature and extent of the damage.
Repair and Reinstatement Costs
Relevant evidence may include contractor quotations, surveyor findings, material costs, labour and necessary professional services. The policy determines which costs can be included.
Repair vs Replacement
An insurer may have the option to arrange repairs or replacements. A cash payment does not always equal the amount a consumer would pay to an independent contractor or retailer.
Existing Damage and Exclusions
Damage that occurred before the insured incident, gradual deterioration or another excluded cause may affect the assessment. The actual policy wording and evidence matter.
Insurance vs Liability Claims
A first-party insurance claim under your own policy is different from seeking damages from a third party. Separate liability rules can apply.
Policy Deductions Explained
Insurance Excess and Underinsurance Calculations
What Is an Insurance Excess?
An excess is the amount of a qualifying claim the policyholder must bear, according to the policy. Some policies include both compulsory and voluntary excesses.
Illustrative Excess Calculation
Suppose an insurer accepts a covered £3,000 cash claim with an applicable £250 excess and no other adjustments. The illustrative net payment would be £2,750.
Simple excess illustration
Net payment = Covered claim amount − Applicable excess
What Is Underinsurance?
Underinsurance can occur when the sum insured is lower than the full value that should have been declared under the policy.
How Does an Average Clause Work?
Some policies contain an average clause that may proportionately reduce a claim. A calculation can compare the declared sum insured with the true insurable value.
Illustrative average calculation
Adjusted loss = Covered loss ×
(Sum insured ÷ Actual insurable value)
For example, if a valid average clause applies, £200,000 of cover against a £400,000 required value represents 50% insurance. An otherwise eligible £20,000 loss might therefore be reduced to £10,000 before other applicable adjustments.
Is an Average Clause Always Fair?
No. The Financial Ombudsman considers whether the clause exists, how clearly the insurer asked for valuations and whether applying it is fair. Other consumer insurance rules may also affect the outcome.
Motor Insurance Settlements
How Is a Vehicle Total Loss Settlement Calculated?
A vehicle total loss, often called a write-off, may occur when a car is uneconomical to repair or has been stolen and not recovered.
Pre-Incident Market Value
Most motor insurance policies assess a total-loss claim using the vehicle's market value immediately before it was damaged or stolen. Specialist valuation guides and other evidence can be relevant.
Agreed-Value Policies
Certain classic or specialist vehicle policies use an agreed-value amount. These differ from ordinary market-value arrangements.
Salvage and Retention
If the owner retains the damaged vehicle, an insurer may apply a salvage deduction where the arrangement permits it. The deduction should be appropriately evidenced.
Outstanding Vehicle Finance
If the vehicle is subject to PCP or hire purchase, the finance company may have an interest in the settlement. A total-loss calculation should not simply assume every pound is paid directly to the driver.
Comparing a Settlement Offer
Vehicle condition, mileage, service history, previous damage and the correct model specification can affect valuation. An initial insurer offer is not necessarily the final fair value.
Commercial Insurance
Business Interruption Insurance: How Is a Claim Valued?
Business interruption insurance may cover defined financial consequences when a qualifying insured event interrupts business operations. Coverage depends on the exact policy wording and circumstances.
An Insured Event Is Essential
Many policies require physical property damage caused by an insured risk. Others may include specified non-damage extensions. A business closure does not automatically trigger cover.
Gross Profit and Turnover
Some business interruption policies insure a defined form of gross profit rather than gross turnover. The precise policy definition must be followed.
Increased Cost of Working
Depending on the insurance contract, qualifying additional expenditure to maintain operations or reduce insured losses may form part of the calculation.
Indemnity Period
The policy may only cover loss during a specified maximum indemnity period. The relevant start, duration and recovery conditions need to be checked.
Adjustments and Savings
A calculation may need to account for saved expenses, reasonable mitigation, trends, previous payments, excesses and policy limits.
COVID-19 Test Case
The FCA's business interruption test case addressed certain COVID-19 policy wordings. It did not establish that every business interruption policy covers pandemic losses. Individual wording and subsequent legal decisions matter.
Insurance Claim Factors
What Can Affect an Insurance Payout?
The final value can differ from a repair quote or initial estimate because different policies apply different conditions.
01
Policy Coverage
Whether the incident is insured under the policy terms.
02
Actual Loss Value
Repair, replacement, reinstatement or market valuation.
03
Policy Limits
Overall sum insured and specific item or section limits.
04
Excess and Deductions
Applicable excesses and other justified policy adjustments.
05
Evidence
Records demonstrating what happened and the value of the loss.
06
Previous Payments
Relevant insurance settlements, recoveries and other reimbursements.
Making an Insurance Claim
How to Make an Insurance Claim and Challenge a Settlement
Notify Your Insurer
Report the incident using the insurer's official claims process and follow policy notification requirements. For urgent damage, take reasonable steps to prevent further loss.
Gather Valuation Evidence
Photographs, repair quotations, invoices, item records and relevant expert reports can help support a claim. Keep a record of discussions with the insurer.
Review the Settlement Basis
Ask for a breakdown of the insurer's valuation, excess, policy limits and any deductions. The correct method depends on the insurance contract.
Complain to the Insurer
If the claim has been unfairly declined, delayed or undervalued, submit a formal complaint to the insurance company.
Financial Ombudsman Service
The Financial Ombudsman Service can consider eligible complaints. For most insurance complaints, the insurer normally has up to eight weeks to issue a final response. An eligible complaint can usually then be referred to the Ombudsman.
Referral Deadlines
Consumers are generally expected to refer an eligible complaint within six months of the insurer's final response, subject to applicable rules and exceptions.
How It Works
How to Use Our Insurance Calculators
Choose a relevant tool, enter the appropriate figures and review the limitations before relying on an estimate.
Select a Calculator
Choose home, contents, property, vehicle, excess, underinsurance or business interruption.
Enter Claim Figures
Provide insured values, estimated losses, excesses and other relevant numbers.
Review the Calculation
Check the result, policy assumptions, deductions and official guidance.
Related Resources
Explore Related Compensation Categories
Explore other financial, consumer and commercial claim calculations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Insurance Claims Calculator FAQs
Common questions about insurance claim values, policy excess, underinsurance, vehicle write-offs and business cover.
How is an insurance claim payout calculated?
A potential settlement depends on the covered loss, relevant valuation method, sum insured, policy limits, applicable excess and any justified adjustments. There is no single formula for every policy.
How do I calculate a home insurance claim?
The calculation may begin with covered building repair or reinstatement costs. Applicable limits, excesses and relevant additional cover must then be considered.
What is the difference between buildings and contents insurance?
Buildings cover usually concerns the property's structure and fixed elements. Contents cover generally concerns possessions such as furniture, clothes and appliances.
Is home insurance based on market value or rebuild cost?
Buildings insurance generally requires an appropriate rebuilding cost, which can differ significantly from the property's selling price.
How does insurance excess affect a payout?
An excess is the relevant part of a covered loss borne by the policyholder. It may reduce the insurer's cash payment or be paid separately, depending on the arrangement.
How is underinsurance calculated?
A basic worksheet compares the sum insured with the actual required insurance value. Some valid average clauses may reduce a covered loss proportionately, but this is not automatic in every case.
How is a vehicle total-loss payout calculated?
Most ordinary motor policies use the vehicle's market value just before the incident. Excess, salvage and applicable policy adjustments may affect the final settlement.
Does business interruption insurance cover every business loss?
No. Business interruption cover depends on the specified insured event, policy wording, indemnity period, exclusions and defined financial losses.
What if my insurer offers less than my repair quote?
Ask how the insurer calculated its settlement. Some policies allow the insurer to arrange repairs or replacement through its own suppliers. A disputed decision can be reviewed through its complaints process.
Can an insurance claim calculator guarantee a payout?
No. Calculators can illustrate monetary calculations, but cannot independently verify the insured event, determine all policy terms or guarantee claim acceptance.
Official UK Insurance Claims Resources
These sources provide guidance on insurance settlements, underinsurance, property claims, vehicle valuations and business interruption coverage. Reviewed 9 November 2026.