GG. wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2026 10:09 pm
I think the other way they seem to deal with it is to say they insure other than the areas subject to works provided that the builders have indemnity insurance in excess of £x. Obviously trickier here if it is not yet within scope of "improvement" works and no contractor appointed.
Let us know how you got on Gav. Incidentally I had to call half a dozen brokers in connection with the new house so drop me a PM if you need some names.
Also part of the issue is the fact the tenants are still living in the downstairs flat, which increases the risk of retaliation or reprisals against the eviction.
I ended up speaking to a bunch of insurers at the end of the week and have been advised not to contact any more. Most of the regulars like Adrian Flux, who'd been really good for my landlord's building insurance, don't specialise enough to take on this one.
I've got two companies who are actively arranging quotes. I also spoke to another broker and he said there's only 2 or 3 underwriters who will touch this liability, so once you have a couple of brokers getting quotes, you won't achieve anything by asking any more for quotes, because they'll all be going to precisely the same underwriters. In fact, he said getting too many brokers to quote will possibly make it more expensive.
They've both come back with similar questions, which relate to the tenants and whether they are living in the property, so that does seem to be the main concern.
Anyone fancy a bet on how much this is? My usual policy was around £700 a year to cover two units in a victorain conversion building. I'd be surprised if there's change from £5k for this. In fact, that might even be wishful thinking.
