The importance of site insurance for extenders

Don’t assume your builder’s insurance, or your own home insurance, will cover extension works. Here’s why and how you need to get the right insurance cover

When taking on an extension you might assume that a builder’s insurance is enough to protect the project if something goes wrong, or that your standard building insurance will cover the cost of any loss. But the stark truth is that neither may cover your build.

DON’T RELY ON A BUILDER’S INSURANCE

Your builder may say they are ‘fully insured’ but it’s likely they only have public liability insurance to cover them in the event they cause damage or injury to a third party following a negligent act.

This liability insurance doesn’t cover issues like storm damage, arson, theft of materials or plant and equipment, or foreseen liability. It also is unlikely to protect you once your builder has finished the job and any problems with the workmanship or structural issues emerge.

HOME INSURANCE CARRIES EXCLUSIONS

Most home insurance has an exclusion if you are altering the structure or doing works over £25,000. And bear in mind a Structural Warranty – an insurance policy designed to protect investors and homeowners from underlying structural defects that may arise following the completion of building work – is a lender requirement in the UK.

WHAT SORT OF POLICY DO I NEED?

First, you need to check the insurance you are going to buy is backed by A-rated insurers. Your policy will need to cover your whole property while it is being extended or renovated as well as after the work has been completed. The policy should cover all the new works and materials.

You should opt for a package where tools and equipment left on site are also protected, and employers and public liability insurance is included. This means that anyone working on site is covered if they suffer an injury, or if damage is caused to a third party or their property.

The right insurance policy will also cover the cost of defending or pursuing a claim should anything happen to a worker or family member while on-site during the construction stage.

Site Insurance should be arranged 30 days before work commences and cover the duration of the build.

FIND THE RIGHT INSURANCE

Get in touch with Self-build Zone www.selfbuildzone.com to sort the right insurance cover for your project.