Planning home improvements? You may need to tell your insurer first.
Building Work Planned? Make Sure Your Insurance Keeps Up
Home improvement projects are exciting. Whether you’re updating a kitchen, converting a loft, or extending your living space, renovations can completely transform how your home looks and feels.
Amid the design choices, schedules and budgets, one important task is often overlooked — checking that your home insurance still applies while work is underway.
Many homeowners assume their existing policy automatically continues as normal during renovations. Unfortunately, that assumption can lead to problems if something goes wrong.
Why building work changes your insurance risk
Any form of construction work alters the level of risk at a property, even when the project feels modest.
During renovations, insurers may see increased exposure due to:
Reduced security while doors, windows or roofs are opened
Contractors accessing the property
Tools, materials and equipment stored on-site
Greater risk of fire, water damage or accidental damage
Temporary changes to how the home is occupied
Standard home insurance is typically based on a property being lived in under normal conditions. Once building work starts, those conditions change.
What can happen if your insurer isn’t informed
Failing to notify your insurer before work begins can lead to unexpected consequences.
Depending on the policy, this may result in:
Claims being restricted or rejected
Damage linked to building work being excluded
Theft cover being limited during the project
Complications around liability if contractors or visitors are involved
These issues often only come to light when a claim is made, which is the worst possible time to discover a gap in cover.
The good news for homeowners
Not all renovation projects require specialist insurance or complex arrangements.
In many cases, the solution is straightforward. By speaking to Peter Best Insurance before work begins, your policy can be reviewed to ensure it still reflects the risk.
This might involve:
Notifying the insurer of the type and duration of work
Adjusting sums insured if the rebuild value changes
Applying temporary terms while work is ongoing
For larger structural projects, additional cover or a more tailored policy may be recommended, but this can usually be arranged in advance.
Why timing matters
Insurance changes must be agreed before building work starts; Not halfway through the project; Not once the work is finished.
And certainly not after damage has occurred.
Insurance cannot be applied retrospectively, which is why early communication is essential.
Speak to us before work begins
If you’re planning home improvements, contacting Peter Best Insurance before the first tool arrives on site can help avoid unnecessary stress later.
A quick conversation now can help ensure your cover stays valid, appropriate, and ready to respond if the unexpected happens.
