First Time Buyer - Home Insurance Quote

SavvySally

Hello,

I’m a first-time buyer so please go easy on me.

My solicitor has said that they need to see a copy of my home insurance schedule (?) before we can proceed to exchange of contracts so it can be put on risk (?) from then.

I am following the advice on this website, using multiple price comparison sites etc, and as there are many questions I can’t answer such as types of locks etc I have forwarded these to the estate agents. What I want to know is how I can obtain a quote and have this in place without owning the house. On moneysavingexpert for example it asks when I bought the house which I obviously haven’t yet. Excuse my ignorance but it all seems a bit of a catch 22. I can’t exchange without the insurance but surely I can’t get the insurance until I exchange?

Help!

Barney_Rubble_0403

Ring an insurance and buy a building insurance policy using an estimated date of exchange.They can advise on any questions that can't be answered at this stage.

Add contents insurance at a later date.

I'd fill out the online forms just to get an idea of a quote then ring the best 2-3 insurance providers to explain your situation and see what they advise.

eddddy

SavvySally wrote: »

...and as there are many questions I can’t answer such as types of locks etc I have forwarded these to the estate agents.

I definitely wouldn't rely on info gathered via the estate agent.

If it's wrong and you make a claim, you might find the claim rejected, your insurance cancelled etc.

If you don't know for sure, just answer "No" to 5 lever deadlocks, window locks, smoke alarm, neighbourhood watch, etc.

Unless it's a high risk area, that may not make too much difference. And some insurers don't ask all those questions anyway.

And just to be on the safe side, once you have a quote you like - before you buy, phone the insurer to discuss the quote and explain your situation . And see if they are happy for you to proceed.

The call will be recorded, so there will be a record of what you asked, and what they replied.