Period unoccupied buildings insurance

[dandrew]

Does anyone have any experience of unoccupied buildings insurance ?
We are shortly to start our own 'Grand Design' which involves moving out whilst structural work is done (both toilets will be taken out hence the decamp). Having had the existing buildings & contents insurance forcibly cancelled by the current insurers when they found out we were doing structural work I have been annoyed by the lack of options for interim cover. In essence I can only get FLEA cover (Fire, lightning, aircraft (!), explosion) for £600 and I have to pay at least 6 months premium or a full 12 months if I cancel the policy after 6 months. Some insurers want unachievable conditions (central heating on Oct-Apr to maintain a temp of 13°) or disconnection of all services (elec, water, gas) which would make the builder charge me more.

Does anyone have any experience on this or have you used a broker/insurer that provides better cover ?

Thanks,

David

 

[Flyfisher]

No actual experience, but here are some notes about unoccupied house insurance:http://www.moneysupermarket.com/home-insurance/unoccupied/
and here's a list of 'non-standard' insurers : http://www.moneysupermarket.com/non-standard-home-insurance/

 

[MatthewC]

I had the same problem when restoring my house which remained unoccupied for 8 months; my main concern was that some yoof would break in one night and set it alight. I used Lark Insurance (found through LPOC) who gave very restricted cover which was better than nothing. As I recall, when the roof was done and some other stuff, the scope of the insurance was extended slightly.

NB When it was fully occupied I found that Lark were quite expensive for on-going cover!

 

[a twig]

I went down the "Is your house in a good state of repair? - Yes!" route with fingers firmly crossed.

My reasoning being that smaller things I wouldn't bother claiming for anyway, and if anything really serious did happen it would be so catastrophic that the insurers wouldn't be able to tell the original state of the house. *wanders off whistling nonchalantly*

 

[88v8]

Had a similar problem when we bought, not in terms of structural work although we had a concrete floor out and a limerete one put in, and the stone stairs out and rebuilt, but more so the fact that the house would be unoccupied for about 6 months before we moved in.
Also, we're thatched.
We got cover from County Insce Services
http://www.county-insurance.co.uk/
who we are still using.

In your situation I would require your builders to cover the works under their construction policy, and to include the existing structure. There will be a cost, alas.

Ivor