Home insurance in Westminster

Insurers set home insurance prices using factors such as where you live, the rebuild cost, the value of your contents, your claims history and your security. (MoneyHelper) Here is how Westminster compares with the rest of London on the public figures linked to home insurance claims.

At a glance

Westminster recorded 12.5 burglaries per 1,000 households (year ending March 2026), 36% higher than London (9.2). That is the highest of 33 council areas in London.

The local figures

About 9% of vehicle offences and 3% of burglaries in London are not assigned to a borough, so every borough figure is a little low.

Burglary

12.5 per 1,000 households

36% higher than London (9.2)

The highest of 33

Burglaries recorded by the police. Theft is one of the main contents claims. Residential burglary recorded by the police, per 1,000 households (Census 2021). Recorded under the Home Office Counting Rules, so compare only with other areas in England and Wales.

year ending March 2026 · Home Office: Police recorded crime, Community Safety Partnership open data tables

Flood risk: rivers and the sea

0.0%

100% lower than London (1.3%)

The lowest of 33

Homes in areas the national flood authority assesses as at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea. Share of homes at high or medium risk (at least a 1 in 100 chance a year), taking account of flood defences. Region and England figures are worked out from the published council figures. These are homes in areas at risk, not homes that will flood. The publishers say the assessment is not for judging individual properties, and the Environment Agency says it "was not developed or tested for insurance underwriting or setting insurance premiums".

June 2026 · Environment Agency: NaFRA2 Key Summary Information, properties at risk by local authority

Flood risk: surface water

16.6%

52% higher than London (10.9%)

4th highest of 33

Homes in areas assessed as at risk of flooding from heavy rain that can't drain away. Share of homes at high or medium risk of surface water flooding (at least 1 in 100 a year). These are homes in areas at risk, not homes that will flood. The publishers say the assessment is not for judging individual properties, and the Environment Agency says it "was not developed or tested for insurance underwriting or setting insurance premiums".

September 2025 · Environment Agency: NaFRA2 Key Summary Information, properties at risk by local authority

Average house price

£876,788

59% higher than London (£550,037)

2nd highest of 33

Market value, not rebuild cost. Buildings insurance is based on what it would cost to rebuild, which can be very different. Mix-adjusted average price. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

July 2026 · HM Land Registry: UK House Price Index, July 2026

Homes that are flats

89.7%

66% higher than London (54.0%)

2nd highest of 33

From the census. In a flat, buildings insurance is often arranged for the whole building rather than by each owner, so check who arranges yours.

Census 2021 · ONS: Census 2021, TS044 Accommodation type

What this means for your premium

These figures describe the area, not your home. Insurers use their own data and look at your property in far more detail than a council area, so two homes on the same street can be priced very differently. A higher local burglary rate or flood exposure doesn't mean your premium will be higher; it shows the kind of claims insurers in this area have to cover.

What you can control: your locks and alarm, an accurate rebuild cost for buildings cover, an honest value for your contents, and telling your insurer about anything that changes, such as building work or the home being left empty.

Our home insurance guide explains each factor.

Sources and method

Rates are worked out from the published counts and the area's population. Areas are council areas as defined by the Office for National Statistics. Boundaries: Office for National Statistics, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. How we work.