How much can I expect building insurance premium to go up following a fire claim?

JesperNorgaard

I am buying a leasehold flat in London - part of a development with 100+ flats built less than 10 years ago. A couple of weeks ago, there was a fire that affected 1-2 top-floor flats. Thankfully, no one got hurt and the flat I'm buying hasn't been affected at all.

The development has building insurance, so I expect the repairs (holes in the roof, etc.) will be covered, which is good. But given we haven't exchanged contracts yet, I am trying to figure out what to expect.

Following an insurance claim like this, I would expect the premium to go up the following year(s), but I have no idea how much of a hike to expect. 15%? 50%? 300%? I know it depends on each individual case, but I would appreciate any input from anyone who has a point of view or experience on this matter, as this will have an impact on the service charge I will be paying.

Really appreciate your input, folks! Can't thank you enough.

PS. I would really appreciate it if we could avoid turning this into a leasehold vs. freehold debate.

HampshireH

Very much a case of how long is a piece of string 

For example if this is a large freeholder such as a council or HA they will have a large overarching policy for all their stock with a huge excess for rebuild (smaller excess for Leaseholder claims against it). The impact may be less for a one of event.

If it's a smaller freeholder company or individual freeholder  the policy may be bespoke to the block and the impact higher.

Of course so many other factors contribute to premiums

XRS200

JesperNorgaard said:

I am buying a leasehold flat in London - part of a development with 100+ flats built less than 10 years ago. A couple of weeks ago, there was a fire that affected 1-2 top-floor flats. Thankfully, no one got hurt and the flat I'm buying hasn't been affected at all.

The development has building insurance, so I expect the repairs (holes in the roof, etc.) will be covered, which is good. But given we haven't exchanged contracts yet, I am trying to figure out what to expect.

Following an insurance claim like this, I would expect the premium to go up the following year(s), but I have no idea how much of a hike to expect. 15%? 50%? 300%? I know it depends on each individual case, but I would appreciate any input from anyone who has a point of view or experience on this matter, as this will have an impact on the service charge I will be paying.

Really appreciate your input, folks! Can't thank you enough.

PS. I would really appreciate it if we could avoid turning this into a leasehold vs. freehold debate.

There's no way anyone here can give you a meaningful answer unfortunately