For many homeowners, the next few years are going to be busy.

A large number of people are coming to the end of mortgage deals that were taken out during uncertain times. Whether that was during the Covid years, when longer fixes felt safer, or during the period of sharp rate rises, when shorter fixes felt like the least risky option.

As a result, two questions keep coming up:

• When should I start thinking about remortgaging?
  
• When should I review my insurance and personal protection plans?

The answer to both is usually earlier than people think.

When Should You Start Thinking About Remortgaging?

You do not need to wait until your mortgage deal is about to end to start thinking about the impact it may have on your finances.

Even if you decide not to take any action straight away, understanding what your future payments could look like gives you time to plan properly.

That planning might include:

• Adjusting household budgets
  
• Building additional savings
  
• Making overpayments where appropriate

This is especially important in a market where interest rates can move quickly in either direction.

How Early Can You Start the Remortgage Process?

In most cases, it makes sense to start planning around six months before your current deal ends.

There are two key reasons for this:

• Many mortgage offers are valid for up to six months
  
• Starting early allows time for delays, questions, or changes without pressure
  

Starting the process early does not mean you complete it early. It simply means a new rate can be reserved and put in place ready for when your current deal ends. This helps you avoid moving onto a lender’s standard variable rate.

If your lender’s offers are valid for a shorter period, such as three or four months, the timing can be adjusted accordingly.

Is It Ever Worth Remortgaging Early?

Sometimes, but not always.

Remortgaging early usually comes down to a balance between:

• Any early repayment charges on your existing mortgage
  
• The potential benefit of securing a new rate
  

In many cases, waiting until your current deal ends is the most sensible option. However, there is no harm in checking, particularly if your circumstances have changed or your current deal is no longer competitive.

What Is the Latest You Should Leave It?

As a general guide:

• Three months before your deal ends is comfortable
  
• Two months is possible, but tighter
  
• One month often leaves very little room for delays
  

Leaving things too late increases the risk of temporarily moving onto a higher standard variable rate, even if only for a short period.

When Should You Review Your Insurance Policies?

Mortgage planning and insurance planning should go hand in hand.

• Your mortgage helps you buy or finance your home
• Your protection plans help you keep it if something unexpected happens.

A review does not always mean changing policies. It means checking that what you already have still makes sense.

Review vs Renew — What’s the Difference?

Some policies renew every year, and premiums can change. These often include:

• Home insurance
  
• Private medical insurance
  
• Redundancy cover
  

Other policies usually run for a fixed term and are not renewed annually, although they should still be reviewed. These include:

• Life insurance
  
• Income protection
  
• Critical illness cove

Life Events That Should Trigger a Review

A review is especially important if any of the following apply:

• Buying or remortgaging a home
  
• Starting or growing a family
  
• Changing jobs or income
  
• Becoming self-employed or a company director
  
• Paying off debts
  
• Approaching retirement
  

Your financial commitments tend to change over time. Your personal protection plan should change with them.

Our Thoughts

The common thread across mortgages and protection is planning early.

Leaving things to the last minute often limits options. Starting earlier gives you flexibility, control, and peace of mind, even if you decide not to take immediate action.

If your mortgage deal is ending within the next year, or if it has been a while since your insurance was last reviewed, it may be worth having a conversation sooner rather than later.

Information correct at time of writing – January 2026.