Building insurance queries for new house

Christyt

Hi there,

About to exchange on a house and need buildings/contents insurance in place.

Been on GoCompare to find a policy but unsure of how to answer some of questions - if anyone can advise i'd be very grateful.

1 - When they ask for the % of flat roof - should I include the garage (or is it considered an outbuilding) and the conservatory which has a see through PVC glass roof which is flat.

There is a small flat roofed bathroom extension too.

If I include garage, conservatory and bathroom extension it comes to almost 50% of property!

2 - There's a 6m high fir tree out the front about 3.5m from the house. Surveyor who did my homebuyer surveyor verbally suggested I should cut it down but is not in report.

Will this make getting insurance difficult/impossible.

I can't cut it down till I buy, but I need insurance before I buy.

Any advice very much appreciated please!

Christyt

OH - and also

Is it necessary to add my husband as joint applicant for the insurance?

He adds 30% to the premium because he's a market stall trader. The insurance is not for business purposes apart from light clerical. Not planning to put accidental damage on either.

Just wondering whether there's any major reason to put him on as long as the contents are covered to the correct value.

G_M

Who owns the property? Both of you? Then policy should be in both names. Not doing this could make it invalid - not good to find out after the house has burnt down.

Ignore the garage and conservatory. Declare the flat roof extension.

Do the insurers ask about trees? If so, answer honestly. If not, say nothing.

But check for any 'assumptions' they make. Many on line quotes are based on these assumptions which you agree to, but sometimes they are not obvious - you have to click a link (marked assumptions' or similar!) to see them. There MIGHT be something in there like "There are no trees taller than Xm within Ym of the property." Again, 'agreeing' to these assumptions if they are not true could invalidate the insurance.

ps - there is bound to be a contact number for the insurer. If in doubt, ask. It really is not worth paying for an insurance that will never pay out because you failed to understand the conditions.

Christyt

Thanks a million G_M -helps a lot.

Husband will be on the deeds so I guess that means he part owns it and should be on the insurance?

G_M

Christyt wrote: »

Husband will be on the deeds so I guess that means he part owns it and should be on the insurance?

Errrr...... thinks........ yes!