I know that rebuilding cost is not linked to the price of purchasing the house but what sort of price should i put down for insurance. I measured the Square Feet and got a figure to rebuild but it seems high. Most houses do not go up in flames these days so i would like some advice. These Insurace companies seem to be doing OK with all their high rise head office buildings and of course their senior executives are earning a small fortune, all from our premiums!
It's a tad old-fashioned to do your own calculations regarding both contents and buldings cover. Most companies have policies with unlimited cover for both meaning you'll never be under-insured. Mine's with John Lewis Insurance and was the lowest quote and best cover available.
I'd try a quote with a different provider (maybe one in a scruffy portakabin with a poorly paid senior exec), but I don't think the actual figure for rebuilding costs makes much difference to premiums. Some insurers now have a minimum cover value
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors provides a calculator for the costs of rebuilding. You need to register on the site first (but it's no more complicated than registering to use AB):
http://calculator.bcis.co.uk/