Telling buildings insurer about renovation

pyrex · 30 May 2018 at 8:58AM

Hello. I recently purchased a home and having lived in it for several months now and due to some changes in circumstances, I've realised the home must be renovated now. It will involve rewiring, replumbing, repainting, new floors, and a few small structural changes. I will need to relocate with family for a few months.

I need to tell the buildings insurer about this work but I'm concerned they could cancel the policy and I'd have to mention this whenever I try to buy buildings insurance in the future. The policy says the home can't be vacant for over 30 days. When I first looked for buildings insurance, I asked how it would work if we wanted to do a renovation in the future and they refused to quote.

Should I cancel the policy myself and find an insurer that specialises in renovations? Or should I just mention it and hope for the best? I could also call and say I'd like to cancel if they can't cover this.

This is my first home and my first time having buildings insurance. Thanks!

Zorillo · 30 May 2018 at 9:08AM

They won't cancel it unless they tell you that they can't cover it and you fail to arrange alternative cover before the work starts.

Speak to your insurer and tell them what you're planning, and if they say no (which is likely), it would be worth consulting an insurance broker to arrange a more specific policy that will cover the building whilst it's undergoing work.

Reardoa · 30 May 2018 at 9:14AM

Most companies will want to cover off or heavily restrict cover particularly if you move out during the build. You must let them know. They don't like renovation work especially if its structural. If they do decline cover try a specialist such as www.selfbuildinsure.co.uk who will insure it during the renovation process whether you do it yourself or employ contractors to work onsite.

pyrex · 30 May 2018 at 10:15AM

Thanks for your advice.

I'm basically trying to avoid a situation where I have to report that I've had a policy cancelled when getting future quotes. The quoting process is opaque and when the other company refused to quote after just asking a question about a renovation, I decided to be a bit more cautious.

Reardoa · 30 May 2018 at 10:23AM

Don't worry. You aren't having a policy cancelled. Its an underwriting decision as they are choosing not to insure you and it isn't something you have to disclose to your next insurer.

Bettie · 30 May 2018 at 10:27AM

My insurance broker gave me the thirty days as long as I told them what renovations were taking place and then they swapped my insurance to another FLEA insurance with restrictions such as having to visit every 7 days and all windows to be screwed down as by then it was empty. It was however very expensive and as they charged admin fees as well for finishing the final policy it worked out nearly £20 a week !

Reardoa · 30 May 2018 at 10:41AM

That's normal Bettie. FLEA is hardly worth the paper its written on. In essence fire only cover is pretty pointless.

Zorillo · 30 May 2018 at 10:55AM

It's quite useful if your property catches fire.

Bettie · 30 May 2018 at 11:03AM

I thought I would be OK if an aircraft landed on the house and I am fairly near an airport. I had to be insured as I was eventually selling so I was forced into a position where I had little choice. I think to be fair public liability is covered as well.

paddyandstumpy · 30 May 2018 at 11:07AM

Bettie wrote: »

I thought I would be OK if an aircraft landed on the house and I am fairly near an airport. I had to be insured as I was eventually selling so I was forced into a position where I had little choice. I think to be fair public liability is covered as well.

Initial post:
It's actually FLEE cover (not FLEA), which stands for Fire, Lightning, Earthquake, Explosion. These are explicitly the only perils covered, nothing more.

Impact cover won't be provided under FLEE, so it wouldn't have covered an aircraft landing on you.

Edit to add: Turns out FLEA is a thing, and the A is aircraft. Every day is a school day...

Quentin · 30 May 2018 at 11:16AM

pyrex wrote: »

Thanks for your advice.

I'm basically trying to avoid a situation where I have to report that I've had a policy cancelled when getting future quotes. The quoting process is opaque and when the other company refused to quote after just asking a question about a renovation, I decided to be a bit more cautious.

Even if your insurer cancels when you contact them, it wouldn't be a cancellation you would have to disclose to other insurers.

(It would simply be because they don't cover the new risks you need cover for)

Telling buildings insurer about renovation

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