Buildings Insurance re an empty property

Flan_the_Man

Due to problems with Probate, my late aunt's property has been empty for more than 12 months. Her previous insurer AA have, quite frankly, been pretty poor in the customer service area and therefore I am looking for an alternative provider. As the property is empty I am looking for buildings only - any recommendations? Thank you

getting_sorted:-)

i used to work in a claims center dealing with buildings and contents insurance. For most of the policys we dealt with, the property could be left unoccupied for 3 months, then after that period alot of perils wern't covered, i think the only things that were covered was fire and storm. They did used to put endorsements on some policys to say normal cover when the property is unoccupied but that costs more. I think the best thing to do is ring different insurance companys and specifically ask, then get all the policy documents through the post and make sure you read them so you know exactly what the cover is.

MarkyMarkD

I hope you don't need telling this, but you should either drain all of the heating and water systems, or leave the heating on at a low level through the winter, or there's a major danger of the pipes freezing and bursting and the insurer legitimately refusing to pay out.

hardpressed

I had a problem in similar curcumstances, had to leave the house uninsured for a year as no one would insure it. The company it had been with didn't want to know, even though I was checking the property every day. A local broker told me the same thing.

mattymoo

The existing insurers are normally the people to approach as a new company will not be interested in insuring an unoccupied property.

Normal procedure is to do the following:-
Change policyholders name to "The trustees of aunts name (deceased)"
Cover will be restricted to Fire Aircraft Explosion cover only.
You will need to isolate all services
Turn off electrics unless there is an intruder alarm / mains fire alarm.
Turn off gas.
Turn off water and drain down heating systems.
Seal the letter box to stop the free papers piling up.
Carry out weekly or even twice weekly inspections.

It is a common enough problem and one the insurers should be able to deal with. If you are getting no joy with the call centre person, ask to speak to their technical underwriting department.

easynotec3

I agree with Mattymoo's post. There are companies out there who will cover unoccupied properties however the premiums's are sky high therefore your best bet is to stay with the existing insurers. However, if you do want to change Vasek Insurance (https://www.vasek.co.uk) are one of the companies that will insure unoccupied properties but again the cover will be restricted and i think that their premiums start at £3 for every £1000 insured i.e £150,000 sum insured = £450 + Insurance Premium Tax plus charges. I also think that they are broker specific and there may be more charges there!!!:eek: