Period Home Office Insurance

[Alex]

Hi Everyone,
I haven't been on here for ages (still doing the flagstones) but I thought that you were the people to ask. My friend has a wooden home office in her garden, she is a sign maker so you can imagine the computer equipment she has in there, in order to be able to work. The problem is she is struggling to find an insurance company willing to insure it, nobody seems to want to know when they find out that it is a completely wooden building, although it does have a tiled roof. It was bought and installed by a specialist company, it is not a DIY job and has locking double glazed windows and doors but insurance companies say that as it doesn't have brick walls they are not interested. As working from home, in an office in the garden is quite popular, I am hoping that one of you has a home office in your garden and might be able to help.

Thank you, Alex

 

[Flyfisher]

The 'standard' insurance companies can be quite limited when dealing with unusual properties and I'm not surprised that many regard a 'house' as being built of brick with a tiled roof. Many wouldn't insure our house because it is largely timber-frame and thatched houses seem to be similarly problematic from what I've read. Your friend really needs to find some insurers that are a bit off the the beaten track.

I'd suggest NFU and Lark for starters

I'd also call the 'specialist company' that supplied the building and ask if they know of any insurers who will provide cover.

 

[Alex]

Thank you Flyfisher, I actually asked her this morning if she had tried NFU but I have never heard of Lark so I will let her know.

Thank you again, Alex.

edit I don't know if she asked the company that made it, she must have asked them, she wouldn't be that daft (would she ?).

 

[DJH]

When I was in business messing about with molten lead and welding equipment I found NFU to be quite relaxed about fire risks. I suppose they are used to farmers workshops and haybarns going up in flames...

Doug

 

[Alex]

Thank you Doug, my friend is going to phone NFU first thing on Monday morning. She doesn't do anything in there that would be a fire risk, in her case it's more the computer, hard drives and printers etc.

Alex

 

[GRADE_II_MONEYPIT]

I have been with Lark since purchasing my beloved money-pit and highly recommend them.

 

[Baron de Gynes]

Another vote here for Lark.

They have an affiliate link with the Listed Property Owners Club, too.

 

[Alex]

Thanks for the other 2 Lark recommendations, I haven't spoken to her since Sunday so I don't know how she has got on, I will let you know as it may help somebody on here in the future.
Alex