Outbuilding and insuring it

TheFair

Hi Aalto All. We’ve built an outbuilding at the end of our garden which is essentially a self-contained studio minus a cooker. It’s built from block so not a shed. I just wonder if anyone had done something similar and could advise on how they got it insured?  It’s only covered up to £15k on household insurance but would cost way more than that to rebuild. Any ideas?

DevilDamo

@TheFair Did you check or have you obtained the relevant Planning or Building Regulation approvals for the outbuilding?

Petriix

grumbler said:

If YOU built it, why did you not build it with insulation if you want it insulated?

Now you have to options:

• Cheaper - insulate it inside thus decreasing the area
• More expensive - insulate it outside

And what does this have to do with the insurance?

Insuring, NOT insulating... 

grumbler

Yes, I noticed this, but late.

Deleting...

TheFair

It was built with full planning permission. No buildings approval required as it is 29sq.m

DevilDamo

How come you needed full PP?

You had used the words “self-contained studio” which implies it contains sleeping accommodation, which is not exempt under the BR’s?

TheFair

We’re deviating from the original question a bit here. FP was sought as we were going to use it as an extra bedroom. Now, it’s a gym, so no need for building Regs approval due to size and use. 

DevilDamo

No we’re not. If you did obtain BR approval, that may have actually gone in your favour and increased the insurance cover.

shaun_from_Africa

Have you looked at other insurance companies?
I'm currently with AXA and under the buildings cover, there is no limit or exclusion for outbuildings as they are covered under the same terms as the main building.
Contents cover is slightly different as this is limited to £5000

Davesnave

We have a 60' barn insured with Cornish Mutual as part of the main buildings cover. If we wanted to use it commercially or needed 3rd party insurance on the field next to it that would be different. There would then be an add-on charge of around £150 at current rates.