Few reasons to tell insurer if you are working from home

PEOPLE working from home instead of the office do not need to tell their insurer unless there are certain specific circumstances, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has said.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged people in England to work from home where possible from this week, bringing England into line with the rest of the UK.

The ABI previously said people working from home did not have to tell their insurer unless certain circumstances applied – and on Monday it said that this guidance remains unchanged.

If you would normally be in the office but are now working from home you do not need to tell your home insurer unless:

You have visitors to your home on business matters; for example, if you have a face-toface client meeting.

Your business makes or sells goods from your home or you store certain items at home, particularly if the goods are valuable or include hazardous or flammable material (such as gas cylinders or fireworks).

You are offering any other services from your home – including beauty treatments, hairdressing, child minding, dog grooming or being an exercise instructor.

You have adapted your property – such as using an outbuilding as your home office or have undertaken any major renovation works or acquired new business equipment that belongs to you. Cover for any business equipment such as a laptop will usually be the employer’s responsibility but check with your employer if unsure.

The ABI said that anyone who has set up, or is planning to establish, a business from home during the pandemic, or has moved the running of their business to their home premises, should discuss the cover required with their insurer or broker.

It is important to make sure that your policy documentation is accurate.