Home Insurance - Advice & Tips

Extending your home

Insure and Go offers insurance advice for homeowners planning on increasing the size of their property

Despite the recent slowdown in house price rises many people are choosing to move up the property ladder by improving their existing house rather than incur moving costs. Before beginning significant renovations or extensions, however, insurance intermediary Insure and Go, is advising homeowners to call their household insurer to check they are adequately covered for theft or damage while building work takes place.

Comments Sandy Dunn of Insure and Go, "Exterior walls are often knocked down during the process of building extensions, this leaves a property insecure and a welcome target for burglars. Therefore it's important for anyone considering an extension to inform their insurance company before work begins."

According to Insure and Go, cover may differ by insurer, but all insurers will need to know the likely period of works and what exactly is being done. Depending on the nature of the work, people need to be prepared that their insurer may place restrictions on the insurance cover or temporarily increase their excess.

Dunn continues, "Insurers cover risks. Therefore, not only is it important for householders to make their insurer aware of any increased risk during building work, but they also have an obligation to exercise due care and a responsible attitude to security during building works. It basically comes down to common-sense. For example, leaving the property overnight if it is not properly secure would be irresponsible, but going out for the day while builders are on site would be acceptable."

Insure and Go is also advising homeowners to remember to extend their household insurance cover once building works are completed. Not only will an extension add value to a property, but the re-building cost will also go up. The company advises homeowners to speak to a surveyor to estimate the new re-building cost which their insurer needs to know.

Sandy Dunn concludes: "For many people who 'grow out' of their homes but don't want to move, extensions are the answer. But homeowners must remember that extending their home also means extending their insurance to ensure they are covered in the unfortunate event of damage or a break-in."

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