Buildings Insurance for house which we won't live in while doing work on it

[Dark Moomin 10]

Hi All,

 

As above really. We are nearing completion on our forst home and need to get the buildings cover sorted. The problem we are having (and stupidly it didn't occur to me that this might be an issue before now) is that for the first few months we are going to stay in our rented place while doing work on the house, like rewire, roof repairs, decoration, new kitchen etc.

 

Although we would be visiting the house most days, it won't be our main residence, we won't be sleeping there and we will of course be carrying out the renovations.

 

Has anyone had experience of this and can recommend someone who can offer buildings cover?

 

Cheers

 

DM

[NUCAD 10]

Better still find a builder who will live in site.

 

The job gets done faster, you dont miss deliveries and someones always there.

 

We have done this for clients before

[Dark Moomin 10]

But its still not our main residence, and we are doing alot of the work ourselves so we don't need a builder for that much of the work.

 

We just need an insirere/broker who will offer a specialist policy for this situation. It can't be that unusual a situation.

[F.Bishell 10]

hi

yes take out building insurence, you wont need contents untill you move in but if you take out buildings ins then while you are banging nails in moving things around etc you are more likely to brake water pipes go threw cables etc which will be covered by you insurence.

thanks

[Dark Moomin 10]

we wioll get buildings insurance, we have to for the mortgage anyway - but the problem is the majority of mainstream insurerers won't cover it while it is not our main residence and they often have problems with the fact we are doing renovations too.

 

I don't need to know WHETHER I need buildings cover, but where will cover us in this situation.

 

Thanks

[Alex C. 10]

Check the policy wordings - I work for an insurer and our policies generally exclude the property if it is unoccupied or unfurnished for more than 60 days. Any less than that and it is fine.

 

I'd advise speaking to a broker rather than an insurer - they may agree to increase your excess, or give you a policy subject to certain endorsements, but a broker will have access to a much wider range of polices that a direct insurer.

[jturn 10]

we had unoccupied property insurance on a property which we were renovating in Hillsborough went with Towergate risk solutions tele: 01482 330300 we were re-wiring, re-plumbing, new central heating, new kitchen and bathroom and re-roofing the policy is underwritten by AXA not cheap though I think it all depends on what you are doing exactly.

Hope this helps

Julie

[Sarah1982 10]

Was just about to say Towergate as mentioned above - my work wont cover an unoccupied property at "new business" - but would pass off to them.

 

Failing that try some brokers - should be able to quote you or point you in the right direction.

[Dark Moomin 10]

Thanks guys - its only gonna be 3 or 4 months that we are not living in it and doing the big renovations - we too are doing wiring, roof kitchen bathroom and extensive decoration.

 

Its not jus the fact its unoccupied but also that its not our main residence (they seem to be 2 different aspects to pol). We will be there quite often, but it won;t be our mainr esidence.

 

Thanks all will try Towergate.

[andrewmell 10]

DarkMoomin, Did you resolve the issue? I'm in a similar situation. I am in the conveyancing process, but I don't plan to move in immediately upon completion, I want to do some work on the ground floor first: Primarily damp-proofing, but I also want to knock through a supporting wall (after consulting properly with structural engineers etc.) I can't find anyone who will insure me. The issue seems to be about my not moving in immediately and not being "resident" there - defined as having moved my furniture in and sleeping there most nights.

Edited August 13, 2012 by andrewmell

[kevcookie 10]

It is some time since I worked in insurance but I would recommend going to a broker and they can refer to the insurance company who may enforce restrictions and insist on particular locks and a maintained alarm system but it should be possible.

[jimbo22 10]

Andrewmell, I was in this situation and spent a lot of time on the phone getting quotes only to be told it wasn't possible for them to insure me. I ended up with a company called 'Intasure'. They were very helpful and gave a small amount of contents cover too for any tools etc that are left on site during the work. Hope this is useful.