Claiming before the insurance is due to expire

Sir_Bob

I part own a property with my sister and our insurance is due for renewal.  We recently noticed the ceiling falling in one of the downstairs rooms, and when we got a builder out to have a look, he thought we would be able to claim on the insurance, but our insurance expires next week and isn't going to be renewed as it is a vacant property.  I have tried to speak to the insurance company but I keep getting diverted to an automated service, when all I want to now is whether it is worth pursuing a claim.

Brie

You are going to leave a valuable asset uninsured?   What's to stop some random idiot from torching the place?

BoGoF

Do you currently have vacant property insurance?

Brie

of course the other thing is do you have the cash for the builder to sort out the problem?  If not then claiming may be the only option.

Aretnap

What did the builder think was the cause of the collapsing ceiling? If it's a maintenance/long term wear and tear issue then it's unlikely to be covered. Home insurance typically protects against one off events, not damage that occurs gradually over a period of time (subsidence being theal main exception).

Hoenir

How long has the property been vacant for and when was the last time you inspected it prior to discovering the damage?

DullGreyGuy

What matters is the date in which the event that caused the damage occurred, as long as that was within the policy term then it doesn't matter when the claim is made or what happened after the policy term. 

Home insurance is written on an insured peril basis and so for you to claim you need to show the problem is related to one of them (flood, fire, theft etc)

TELLIT01

'Recently noticed' suggests the property is unoccupied, or is a case that a relative has just moved out and the OP has seen the problem for the first time?