Home insurance for timber-frame new build?

tux900

I'm currently searching the market for home insurance for a new-build of what I would call fairly standard construction: timber frame, brick walls, tiled roof. However, having tried a few screen scrapers such as GoCompare, Confused, etc I am finding that many of the usual providers are unable to quote given the 'non standard construction'!

Can anyone comment? Is this an issue that others have found? It makes me wonder how many people out there may well have believed that their house is of standard brick construction ('Timber what? My house is obviously made of bricks - look!') and hence could well find themselves uninsured when it later transpires that it's not?

Mathew

sharon1982

Hi there

I recently bought a house with a timber frame and brick cladding -until we had the survey I did think it was a standard brick house! It was built in 1985 and I did find a lot of insurers wouldn't cover it, however there were a few, and I went with AXA in the end and they were happy to insure it.

tux900

Thanks Sharon. I've just got a quote from them and it is very competitive so it may well be a non-issue afterall. Just waiting now to see if their Quidco cashback comes back before it's time to renew...

Thanks again,

Mathew

jennifernil

We have had our present timber frame (self build) house since 1988 and had no problems getting insurance. I have spoken with several insurers and been assured that it comes under "standard construction" as long as it is not also timber clad.

Up here (Scotland) timber frame is fairly common, and I have found that many insurers do offer it as a choice on their quote sites.

We have a large (320 sq m) 5 bedroom house with integral double garage, unlimited cover on buildings and £80k contents cover for around £400.

tux900

I've spoken to several insurers today; many of which would not provide cover - in most cases it was something they had to check and so obviously it's not something the 1st line customer service people come across all that often.

Are the insurers you've spoken to the 'usual suspects'? (i.e. not local or similar with Scottish target markets)

Mathew

jennifernil

Not local.....we are with M&S at the moment, not sure who the underwriter is. Have also been with Halifax and Prudential.