out the exact year your home was built - don't just guess when you're getting quotes. Roof type: This may sound a strange, but the type of roof on your property can have a big impact on the number of home insurance providers you'll have to choose from. If you have a standard slate or tile roof then you should have little trouble finding cover, but if you have a thatch or flat roof you will need to search a little harderfor providers that will insure you. Construction type: As with rooves, insurers can also be a bit fussy about the way your property is built so find out what your home is made of (brick or concrete block for example) so you can make sure you find a policy that suits. Specialist cover? Most home insurance policies are designed to insure the "average" property so if your home is out of the ordinary - perhaps it's a listed building, situated on a floodplain or made from uncommon materials - you may need to look for a specialist home insurance policy. 2. Be realistic about how much your home is worth It's tempting to underestimate the amount you're insured for so as to reduce the cost of your home insurance. However, if you scrimp on cover - whether for your property or possessions - you could be left out of pocket if you need to make a claim. You need to set a realistic cover limit that would be sufficient