Home insurance and possible cancellation

garth549

I' really worried about a home insurance policy I have may be cancelled. I was hoping someone might be able to put my mind at rest.

I bought a house on 2nd September with the intention to do a complete redecoration and move in 4-5 weeks later. I arranged cover with More Than because they stated the property can be un-occupied for 60 days per year.

Now unfortunately factors outside my control mean i'm not going to be able to move in for another 4-5 weeks so this will take me over the 60 days stated in my policy.

The house is completely unfurnished (ie no valuables, only fixtures and fittings)

I've just rung to inform More Than and they're passing it to the underwriter for review.

I'm just terrified they will cancel the policy. If they do will I have to declare that i've had insurance cancelled for the rest of my life?

Thanks for any help

kingstreet

Is there no way you could take a sleeping bag and kip on the floor on the 57th or 58th night?

garth549

I could but I think the policy states 60 days in total for a yearly period (rather than 60 consecutive days). It's annoying because i'm there almost every day but not staying over.

InsideInsurance

It is unlikely to be "cancelled" in the format that you have to declare to other insurers. They may state they are no longer able to provide cover and you will then cancel it voluntarily. Whilst not ideal, and hopefully you can get them to waive the fee, it is not as bad as them cancelling the policy.

SteveFromAccounts

InsideInsurance wrote: »

It is unlikely to be "cancelled" in the format that you have to declare to other insurers. They may state they are no longer able to provide cover and you will then cancel it voluntarily. Whilst not ideal, and hopefully you can get them to waive the fee, it is not as bad as them cancelling the policy.

This. As long as you haven't passed this 60 day period already, then you've ticked all the boxes - i.e. informed them of relevant changes. I'm sure they will offer you, hopefully, cover for an unoccupied property. This will typically be a sizeable increase in premium, but if it's only for a few weeks then pro-rata this won't be a huge issue.

Edit to clarify - cover for an unoccupied property is higher because it is unoccupied, not because it is 'empty' of contents. It's just much more likely to be targeted by, for example, vandals. Hope this helps.

Hub

If their definition is this: "Unoccupied – When your home has not been lived in by your family or by anyone who has your permission, for more than 60 days in a row . Lived in means slept in frequently" then I'd ask them to define frequently.

garth549

SteveFromAccounts wrote: »

This. As long as you haven't passed this 60 day period already, then you've ticked all the boxes - i.e. informed them of relevant changes. I'm sure they will offer you, hopefully, cover for an unoccupied property. This will typically be a sizeable increase in premium, but if it's only for a few weeks then pro-rata this won't be a huge issue.

Edit to clarify - cover for an unoccupied property is higher because it is unoccupied, not because it is 'empty' of contents. It's just much more likely to be targeted by, for example, vandals. Hope this helps.

Thanks Steve that's a great help

Yes it's been unoccupied for about 45 days so far. I was worried they might cancel it and claim that I misrepresented the policy when it was only clear that the property needed a lot more work a couple of weeks ago.

garth549

Update for anyone in similar circumstances: More Than will add unoccupied terms to your policy and allow it to continue for an additional premium.

InsideInsurance

Make sure you check the endorsement carefully when the paperwork arrives. Some insurers will require you to turn off the water and drain the system, board up the letterbox etc when providing cover for extended periods of unoccupancy