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New home insurance when we have an open claim

Hi
Our home insurance is due to end in 2 days, we had already been notified it wasn't going to be renewed some time ago due to the underwriter dropping out the home insurance industry and I had been looking for new cover when we had a house fire (tumble dryer). We are now at the beginning stages of an expensive content and buildings open claim and I cannot find a single insurer or broker that will cover our open claim, and our Grade II listed building.
We will soon have no insurance cover and have builders etc in the house, then we plan to move back in, but it will take time until the claim is closed, any ideas on what we can do? I have tried every insurance company and broker I possibly can and don't know what to do now

Comments

  • DullGreyGuy
    DullGreyGuy Posts: 15,568 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Very little is truly uninsurable, assuming it isnt illegal, but not everything can be insured for a reasonable price. 

    Mass market consumer insurance is particularly difficult because its so heavily competitive and commoditised that 99% of providers target the 99% of customers that can be dealt with simply with straight through processing and automated systems that strip costs. Finding those that deal with the 1% thats left is very hard to find because it's swamped by the remaining 99%. 

    Dont have a magic bullet and indeed have my own challenges finding certain classes of insurance because of being deep into the 1% but persistence has always found someone, even if its meant going through 50 or so that have just said no. 

    Whilst there is a finite number of insurers out there there are lots of specialist intermediaries (eg coverholders/MGAs) who are able to write business their capacity provider wouldn't if approached directly. It all comes down to who your broker(s) have a terms of business in place with as whilst many in principle can buy from anyone no one in practice has terms agreed with everyone. 

    What damage has the fire actually done from a buildings perspective? Are you living in the property whilst the work is done or are you in temporary accommodation? 
  • Aretnap
    Aretnap Posts: 5,517 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    It sounds like the house is currently unoccupied and you have major building/repair works going on - is that correct?

    If so,  that's likely to be a bigger problem than the fact that you have an ongoing claim per se. You might we'll need a specialist policy that covers renovations and the like - have you looked into one of those?
  • Slinky
    Slinky Posts: 10,678 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Have you tried Vasek? We had particular requirements (not the same as yours though) and they were reasonable cost on our property that has previous subsidence.
    Make £2024 in 2024
    Prolific £907.37, Chase Interest £59.97, Chase roundup interest £3.55, Chase CB £122.88, Roadkill £1.30, Octopus referral reward £50, Octopoints £70.46, Topcashback £112.03, Shopmium referral £3, Iceland bonus £4, Ipsos survey £20, Misc Sales £55.44
    Total £1410/£2024  70%

    Make £2023 in 2023  Total: £2606.33/£2023  128.8%

  • Thanks for your replies. The building itself and structure is fine, the work inside is a new kitchen, decorating, carpets etc, but the smoke damage and smell mean we cannot live in it until this has all been cleaned up, and nothing is quick to get signed off with the underwriter, so this could be a few months away. They are taking soft furnishing, electricals etc, so again until we have mattresses, a sofa, tv, once it is cleared and re worked, and we have purchased a few basic essential, until then we cannot move back in.
    I have tried a lot of specialist brokers and they all just come back with no, I've called and called and cannot seem to find anyone to cover us
  • DullGreyGuy
    DullGreyGuy Posts: 15,568 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Thanks for your replies. The building itself and structure is fine, the work inside is a new kitchen, decorating, carpets etc, but the smoke damage and smell mean we cannot live in it until this has all been cleaned up, and nothing is quick to get signed off with the underwriter, so this could be a few months away. They are taking soft furnishing, electricals etc, so again until we have mattresses, a sofa, tv, once it is cleared and re worked, and we have purchased a few basic essential, until then we cannot move back in.
    I have tried a lot of specialist brokers and they all just come back with no, I've called and called and cannot seem to find anyone to cover us
    So you are looking for an unoccupied property policy? For some a kitchen may or may not fall within within the scope of notifiable works 
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