By Charlotte Beugge

Home insurers Churchill and Direct Line are both having winter sales on their home insurance policies.

Churchill is offering a 50% discount on home insurance to new customers who have five years no claims discount. The offer is valid on all quotes until 31 March 2012 and, as quotes last 90 days, would-be policyholders whose existing policies have yet to expire can take up the offer on the price agreed during the offer period.

Churchill home cover offers up to £50,000 contents cover and £500,000 buildings cover, both of which can be increased, and policies include alternative accommodation cover if the home becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event.

Direct Line is offering 30% off home insurance with an extra 20% off if plans are bought online. The discount is on offer until February 29 2012 and it applies to buildings and contents insurance, whether bought together or separately.

There are no discounts on any extras bought as add-ons to policies from the firms, which are both owned by RBS Insurance, part of the state-supported bank RBS/NatWest.

While discounts off premiums will be welcome, remember it is always worth checking with a comparison site as it will have access to a number of insurers and will be able to offer you a range of policies and prices. Direct Line isn’t on comparison sites.