What Insurance Do I Need for Kitchen Cupboards?
Built-in or freestanding? The answer changes everything about your cover.
Short answer: built-in kitchen cupboards fall under buildings insurance; freestanding units need contents insurance. Getting that wrong could leave you footing a hefty bill when something goes wrong. Here’s how it breaks down.
At a glance
- Built-in cupboards fall under buildings insurance. Freestanding units need contents insurance.
- Wear and tear isn’t covered by either policy, that’s a maintenance job, not a claim.
- High-value or bespoke kitchens may need a higher sum insured or specialist cover.
- Tenants: your landlord covers the structure. You’re responsible for your own belongings.
- Integrated appliances can be a grey area, always check your policy wording.
What’s the difference between built-in and freestanding cupboards?
Here’s a useful rule of thumb: imagine tipping your home upside down. Anything that stays put is a fixture. Anything that falls out is a fitting.
- Built-in kitchen cupboards are permanent fixtures, covered under buildings insurance. Buildings insurance covers the structure of the building and any permanent fixtures and fittings, such as a fitted kitchen.
- Freestanding units are a different story. Contents insurance covers everything you’d take with you if you moved house: furniture, clothes, electronics, appliances, ornaments, carpets, curtains. A freestanding pantry or island unit goes with you, so it needs to sit under your contents policy.
The distinction matters because most home insurance policies treat the two very differently, and assuming the wrong cover could leave you seriously out of pocket.
| Item | Type | Covered by |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in wall units | Fixture | Buildings insurance |
| Built-in base units | Fixture | Buildings insurance |
| Integrated oven or dishwasher | Fixture | Buildings insurance |
| Freestanding kitchen island | Fitting | Contents insurance |
| Freestanding larder or pantry | Fitting | Contents insurance |
| Freestanding fridge-freezer | Fitting | Contents insurance |
| Freestanding washing machine | Fitting | Contents insurance |
When does buildings insurance cover kitchen cupboards?
Buildings insurance protects the structure of your home, including walls, roof, permanent fixtures like fitted kitchens, garages, and boundary walls. It covers damage from fire, flood, storm, subsidence, vandalism, and burst pipes, as well as rebuilding costs.
What’s typically covered:
- Fire, storm, and flood
- Subsidence
- Theft and vandalism
- Burst pipes causing water damage
- Accidental damage (add-on only, not standard)
A few important things to know:
Wear and tear
Neither contents nor buildings cover will sort you out for wear and tear. That’s normal deterioration over time, and insurers treat it the same way. If your cupboard doors are looking tired from years of use, that’s a renovation job, not an insurance claim.
Fitting new kitchen cupboards
If you’re planning any works to the structure of your home, including a new fitted kitchen, you need to notify Lemonade before the works begin. This gives us the chance to confirm whether your current cover is sufficient. Once built-in fixtures are in place, they can’t be added to the policy retrospectively, so getting in touch upfront is the right move.
Burst pipes
Worth flagging separately: if a burst pipe damages your kitchen, the claim may fall under escape of water rather than standard buildings or contents cover. The excess for escape of water claims typically falls between £400 and £800, so it’s worth factoring that in when weighing up a claim.
Bespoke or high-value kitchens
A standard buildings policy may cover a typical fitted kitchen, but not a high-end installation worth £30,000 or more. Significant improvements like extensions, loft conversions, or new high-end kitchens increase rebuild cost. If you don’t update your sum insured, your property becomes underinsured. Always make sure your sum insured reflects the true replacement cost, and notify Lemonade before any works begin.
Leaseholders
If you own a flat, your freeholder usually arranges buildings insurance for the whole building. But that block policy won’t cover improvements you’ve made yourself, like custom cabinetry or upgraded kitchen units. If you’ve renovated, speak to an insurance broker to close that gap.
When does contents insurance cover kitchen cupboards?
Freestanding units, removable kitchen furniture, and appliances that aren’t hardwired or plumbed in need to sit under your contents policy. Damage caused to appliances, general contents, and personal belongings within your kitchen won’t be covered by buildings insurance.
What’s typically covered:
- Fire, theft, and flood
- Accidental damage (add-on only, not standard)
- High-value items like designer freestanding units (may need to be listed separately)
One grey area worth knowing:
Integrated appliances You might assume kitchen appliances would be covered by your buildings policy because the kitchen itself falls under buildings insurance. But in most cases, appliances come under contents insurance. Though they’re fitted into the kitchen, they’re moveable and you could take them with you. When in doubt, check with your insurer.
Is insurance for kitchen cupboards worth it?
Here’s a sense of what kitchen cupboards and related items are really worth, and what being properly insured could save you:
| Item | Typical replacement cost | Approx. excess | Potential saving |
| Standard fitted kitchen | £5,000 to £15,000 | £100 to £250 | Up to £14,750 |
| Premium fitted kitchen | £20,000 to £50,000+ | £250 to £500 | Up to £49,500 |
| Freestanding kitchen island | £500 to £3,000 | £100 to £250 | Up to £2,750 |
| Freestanding fridge-freezer | £500 to £2,000 | £100 to £250 | Up to £1,750 |
| Integrated oven | £600 to £2,500 | £100 to £250 | Up to £2,250 |
To put it in real terms:
Say a burst pipe floods your kitchen and destroys your fitted base units and worktops. A replacement standard fitted kitchen can easily run to £5,000 to £15,000 once you factor in units, worktops, and fitting. With the right buildings insurance, you’d normally only pay your excess and get your kitchen sorted. That’s a potential saving of well over £14,000 from a single claim. Bear in mind that escape of water claims carry a higher excess, typically between £400 and £800.
The same logic applies to freestanding units. Say a fire writes off your freestanding larder and fridge-freezer. Replacing both could cost £2,000 to £4,000 out of pocket. With contents insurance, you’re looking at your excess and nothing more.
What if you rent?
If you’re a tenant, the split is straightforward. Your landlord is responsible for buildings insurance. You’re responsible for your own belongings.
| What needs insuring | Who’s responsible | Type of cover |
|---|---|---|
| Building structure and fixed kitchen units | Landlord | Buildings insurance |
| Landlord’s furniture (furnished properties) | Landlord | Landlord insurance |
| Your freestanding units and appliances | Tenant | Contents insurance |
| Accidental damage to landlord’s property | Tenant | Liability insurance |
Always check your tenancy agreement to confirm responsibilities. And if your landlord has furnished the property, their contents policy covers their items, not yours.
Bottom line
Built-in kitchen cupboards go under buildings insurance. Freestanding units go under contents insurance. Get it wrong and a single incident could cost thousands.
If you’re planning any works to your kitchen, tell Lemonade before they begin. Once built-in fixtures are in place, they can’t be added to the policy retrospectively. Check your policy documents, confirm your sum insured reflects the true replacement cost, and if in doubt, get in touch.
If you’re still figuring out the right cover, Lemonade’s home insurance is worth a look.
Kitchen Cupboard Insurance FAQs
Are built-in kitchen cupboards covered by building insurance?
Yes. A building policy covers permanent fixtures and fittings such as fitted kitchens and bedroom cupboards. If they’re fixed to the walls or floor and removing them would damage the property, they fall under buildings insurance. Just make sure you notify Lemonade before any kitchen works begin, as built-in fixtures can’t be added to the policy retrospectively.
What about freestanding kitchen units?
Freestanding units count as contents. They need to be covered under a contents insurance policy. If they’re high-value or bespoke, you may need to list them separately on your policy.
Does building insurance cover kitchen appliances?
Your standard building insurance will typically cover a fitted kitchen, but likely won’t extend to non-permanent fixtures. A built-in oven may be covered under buildings insurance, but a freestanding washing machine needs to sit under contents. When in doubt, check your policy wording or contact your insurer directly.
What if a burst pipe damages my kitchen?
Burst pipe damage may fall under escape of water rather than standard buildings or contents cover. The excess for escape of water claims typically sits between £400 and £800, so it’s worth factoring that in before making a claim.
Is accidental damage cover included as standard?
No. Accidental damage is an optional add-on for both building and contents policies. Without it, you’re covered for fire, flood, and theft, but not for accidents like cracking a worktop or knocking a cupboard door off its hinges.
How do I know if my sum insured is high enough?
Add up the replacement cost of everything, including all fitted units and worktops for building cover, and freestanding appliances and furniture for contents. Don’t forget high-value items like a bespoke fitted kitchen, which can easily push costs well above a standard policy’s limits. And if you’re planning any works, notify Lemonade before they begin so your cover stays in place throughout.
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