Part of the Shmor.ai network · Free, independent insurance guides for the UK, US & Europe

DomesticCommercial
DomCom Insure
Grey timber-clad detached house with a neat front lawn

Domestic + commercial insurance

Insurance for your home and your business, explained and compared

Plain-English guides to the cover you actually need, what’s legally required where you live, and how to compare policies on more than price. For the UK, US and Europe.

Cover checkerIs it compulsory?How to compareMaking a claim

Photo: todd kent on Unsplash

Domestic

For your home & family

Protect where you live, what you own and the people who rely on you.

Explore domestic cover →

Commercial

For your business

Meet the legal requirements, satisfy clients and survive a bad day.

Explore business cover →
  • Independent We’re not an insurer or broker.
  • UK, US & EU Rules explained by region.
  • No invented prices We never make up quotes or ratings.
  • Official sources Laws and rules linked at source.

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NFIP reauthorization: what the next deadline means for flood cover

The NFIP is authorized until 11 December 2026. What happens to new flood policies and renewals if it lapses, and how to protect your home.

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Your winter home insurance checklist

Get your home and policy ready for winter: preventing burst pipes, storm prep, heating while you’re away, unoccupancy rules and what to do if water escapes.

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See all posts →

Not sure what you need?

Cover checker · 2 minutes

Answer a few questions. Get a cover list.

Tell us whether it’s for your home, your business or both, and where you are. We’ll flag what’s legally required, what lenders and clients usually ask for, and what’s worth a look, with a guide for each.

Start the cover checker →

Which insurance is a legal requirement?

The quick version. Lenders, landlords and clients add their own requirements on top.

CoverUKUSAEU
Car / motor (third party)RequiredAt least third party (Road Traffic Act 1988).RequiredRequired in almost every state.RequiredCompulsory in every member state.
Employers’ liability / workers’ compRequiredAt least £5m if you employ staff.RequiredWorkers’ comp required in almost every state.DependsOften via statutory accident insurance.
Buildings / dwellingLender / contractRequired by mortgage lenders.Lender / contractRequired by mortgage lenders.Lender / contractUsually a lender condition.
FloodNot requiredUsually included in home policies.Lender / contractRequired for federally backed mortgages in high-risk flood zones.DependsNational schemes in some countries.
Renters / tenantsNot requiredOptional.DependsOften a lease condition.DependsRequired for tenants in France.
Professional indemnityDependsRequired for many regulated professions.DependsSome licensed professions.DependsMany regulated professions.

Summary only, as of the date this page was updated. Rules differ by country, state and situation, so check the official source for yours.

Popular guides

Row of colourful terraced houses under a cloudy skyDomestic

Landlord insurance

Buildings, contents, liability and rent cover built for let properties.

Rustic café interior with wooden tables ready for customersCommercial

Liability

Cover for injury or damage to the public, and the limits clients ask for.

Red hatchback driving on an open asphalt roadDomestic

Car

Third party, TPFT or comprehensive, and the legal minimums in the UK, US and EU.

Red padlock resting on a black computer keyboardCommercial

Cyber insurance

Incident response, downtime and liability after a cyber attack or data breach.

Cars partly submerged in a flooded river next to a stone bridgeDomestic

Flood insurance

Flood Re in the UK, the NFIP and private flood cover in the US.

Electrician in a yellow hard hat installing wiringCommercial

Tradesperson insurance

Liability, tools, contract works and vans for builders, plumbers and electricians.

How to compare insurance properly

  1. Know what you need

    Start with legal and contract requirements, then the risks that would really hurt.

  2. Get the sums right

    Rebuild costs, replacement values, liability limits and indemnity periods drive everything else.

  3. Compare like for like

    Same cover, excess and extras on every quote, from comparison sites, direct insurers and brokers.

  4. Read the key facts

    Check exclusions, limits and conditions in the key facts or IPID before you buy.

  5. Check who you’re buying from

    Use the FCA register (UK), your state insurance department (US) or national regulator (EU).

Domestic and commercial, side by side

Most insurance sites focus on either households or businesses. Real life mixes them: you might own a home, let out a flat, run a business from the spare room and drive a van for work. DomCom Insure covers both sides, so you can see where a home policy stops and business cover needs to start, and avoid gaps (or paying twice).

How we work

  • Plain English first. We explain what policies do, what they usually exclude and what to check, without jargon. Our glossary decodes the rest.
  • Region by region. Rules differ across the UK, US and EU; we say which applies. See insurance in the USA and insurance in Europe.
  • Facts, not hype. We don’t invent prices, savings or star ratings. Where something changes, we date it.
  • Not advice. Our guides are general information. For complex or high-value cover, talk to a regulated broker or adviser.

How we make money

DomCom Insure is free to use. Some links to insurers, brokers and comparison services may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we say about cover. Read how the Shmor.ai network makes money.

Last updated: 15 October 2026

Frequently asked questions

Is DomCom Insure an insurer or a broker?
Neither. We publish independent guides and point you to regulated insurers, brokers and comparison services. Always check a provider’s authorisation before buying.
What’s the difference between domestic and commercial insurance?
Domestic (personal lines) insurance protects individuals and households: home, contents, car, travel and life. Commercial insurance protects businesses: liability, employees, premises, professional work, vehicles and data.
Which insurance is compulsory?
In most places, motor insurance for vehicles on the road, and employers’ liability or workers’ comp once you employ staff. Lenders, landlords and clients add requirements such as buildings cover or public liability. See the table above or try the cover checker.

What do you want to insure?