Insurance cover

peterwhite097

We are FTB's and we are expecting to exchange on Friday and complete next Friday. We got buildings insurance from Shelia's wheels but when i rang to get them to fax the details to the solicitors during discussion it came up that we would not be moving in for a month due to carrying out some work on the property and they then wouldn't cover us.

I then was going with LV - phoned and they said they would cover an empty property up to 60 days unoccupied but as soon as I said it was empty because we had some works to do they said they would need to speak to their underwriters. It was too late to do that tonight.

The works we are doing are: new roof felt, gutters and facias, re-wire, re-decoration, new bathroom and removing a stud wall (I didn't mention all of these things on the phone, just the gutters and rewire).

A friend who buys and does up properties has said that I should say we aren't moving in becase we are decorating and putting in a new bathroom and want to move gradually (i.e. minor DIY). Our concern is if there was an accident i.e. blow torch sets roof alight we wouldn't be covered.

What should we do - how much should we say? I can't believe we are the first to do some work to a property without moving in (some of them safety features!) so how do they get insurance? I am really panicing as we seem to be hitting a brick wall.

Advice appreciated, thanks!

Fire_Fox

Tell the truth: you have only tried one insurer, it's far too early to panic! The best way to get unusual or specialist insurance is via a broker.

Doozergirl

You need to google renovation insurance or indeed speak to a broker. It tends to come in blocks of 3, 6, 12 months.

You will not find any general household insurance sales team willing to cover you so there's not a lot of point in asking them. it isspecialist insurance provided by few companies.

And ofcourse you are right - if something happens and it's clear the house is empty and being renovated, they won't cover you. As soon as you've moved in you can swap to regular household cover.

peterwhite097

Doozergirl wrote: »

You need to google renovation insurance or indeed speak to a broker. It tends to come in blocks of 3, 6, 12 months.

You will not find any general household insurance sales team willing to cover you so there's not a lot of point in asking them. it isspecialist insurance provided by few companies.

And ofcourse you are right - if something happens and it's clear the house is empty and being renovated, they won't cover you. As soon as you've moved in you can swap to regular household cover.

Thanks for your advice - this is all new to us and didn't realise there was a difference. I have completed an online quote and will make some calls in the morning.