Notifying insurance companies of home improvements

pineapple

It was only recently that I realised that most buildings insurance companies require you to inform them of home improvements/repairs. Gosh - in the past I've had a new bathroom, a new roof, a new kitchen etc and I never thought to notify anyone.
I've got a major job coming up in my current house so I wondered - do people actually comply with this?
I can sort of see why they would want this info but I have misgivings about it too.

Reardoa

They should. In reality a kitchen/bathroom scenario should be ok but structural work as the roof wouldn't be (storm perils for example)
A lot of insurers either reduce cover or want to come off cover though that depends on the level of work you are doing. Contact your insurer first. If you don't and have a claim they may well be within their rights to turn it down.
If they wont insure you try www.selfbuildinsure.co.uk. These guys will insure you while the work is ongoing then you can go back to normal insurance when its complete

spadoosh

Ive never had an insurer come round to my house to be able to identify if improvements have taken place or not.

My bathroom is available from B&Q, it has been for about 15 years. Ive only been in my house 7 years, who installed it?

Likeiwse with the wall in the bathroom, the original design has a wall in the bathroom separating loo and bath. How would the insurer know when it was removed? The building is nearly 70 years old.

Reardoa

Its more that a claim might occur during works. Theft is an issue on sites of this nature as are malicious damage, escape of water and fire.
If a loss adjustor comes out and they see work going on they will turn down the claim.

Zorillo

Yes, most people actually comply with the conditions of their insurance. Your misgivings won't help you in the event of a claim where you've failed to adequately declare material information.

pineapple

I suppose another reason they would want to know would be if there was a claim after work had been done - say the roof you had replaced two years ago sprung a leak. Or maybe your new electrics explode. :eek: In which case they might want to reject the claim and say it is the fault of whoever did the work. I can understand that reasoning but worry that I would be letting myself in for a world of bureaucracy if I was to comply with all the small print. Not to mention contested claims.
Seems you are damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Zorillo

No, you're damned if you don't.

spadoosh

Zorillo wrote: »

Yes, most people actually comply with the conditions of their insurance. Your misgivings won't help you in the event of a claim where you've failed to adequately declare material information.

You really ring your insurer up to change a washer in your sink waste trap? Or replacing a faulty face plate? Does replacing bulbs class as a repair, please tell me you ring them every time you do that?

Reardoa

Excessive spadoosh. Zorillo is quite right. Each insurer have their own thresholds. From their point of view you have an increased theft risk on a building site plus theft by non-forcible entry if you have workmen in. If the building is exposed to elements storm and flood become an issue. Fire is an issue if hot works are being done etc etc. If its DIY your fine, if not check.
Pineapple. Poor workmanship isn't covered regardless of the insurance you have. That claim would be made through the trades. Check they have public liability insurance and ask for proof. If they don't avoid them like the plague.

AstroTurtle

spadoosh wrote: »

You really ring your insurer up to change a washer in your sink waste trap? Or replacing a faulty face plate? Does replacing bulbs class as a repair, please tell me you ring them every time you do that?

If it constitutes home improvements under your insurers definitions… Then yes I would notify them.

If you don't want the cover then don't pay for it simple :money: some games you can't control the rules

:mad: Don't be Angry :mad:

Zorillo

spadoosh wrote: »

You really ring your insurer up to change a washer in your sink waste trap? Or replacing a faulty face plate? Does replacing bulbs class as a repair, please tell me you ring them every time you do that?

No, because I've read my documents and understand them. My insurer only requires me to tell them if I cause any improvements that increase the value of the house above the sum insured, which is virtually impossible in my case because the blanket limit is much higher than it needs to be, or if the property goes unoccupied for 60 consecutive days.

Other policies will vary.