Unoccupied property insurance - Please keep your insurer up to date

May 2012

Owners of empty property who are undertaking renovation projects in order to let or sell their unoccupied home risk invalidating their insurance policy if the insurer is not advised of any works in advance.

In the enthusiasm to renovate and repair in order to start generating an income from letting a property or selling up, many property owners are forgetting to keep their insurer informed, which leads to insurance policies not operating fully, or indeed at all.

There is an obligation to inform your property insurance provider prior to undertaking any works at your unoccupied property. If you fail to do this, their is a real possibility that in the event of a claim, the insurer will invalidate cover and decline the claim. 

It is worth speaking to your unoccupied property insurance specialist broker even in the initial stages of planning future works, as any terms and conditions in your insurance contract can then be pointed out to you - For example, Contractors exclusion clauses, additional security requirements during works, and cover restrictions. Furthermore, your broker can provide additional relevant advice about your project, including Employers Liability requirements, and considerations regarding contractors all risks and contract works cover.

Please ensure you keep your insurer fully informed - Yes, they will on occasion stipulate requirements which can be a pain or cause a headache. But compared to the news that you have no cover following a serious incident, it is by far the more sensible choice to make.

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