I can't post links but if you use Google and put the words, "unoccupied house insurance" in the search box, it comes back with quite a few brokers who in particular insure empty property whilst building work is carried out, as is your case.

I do agree though the terms and conditions are ludicrous of some mainstream insurers these days, and you would think they could be flexible enough to offer that part of cover needed in this case, even at an additional add on to your premium if they consider the risk to be greater. Then they wonder why people are not always honest with them.

We have just had our house totally renovated and lived in a 2 berth touring caravan parked on our property, the wording on my policy said I had to live at the property, so I considered that was what I was doing and did not mention it being empty.

I phoned my current buildings insurer to tell them I'm having some works done. My house is a 4bed bungalow worth about £150,000, and I'm about to move out while my builder starts work. In 16-18 weeks, I'll be able to move back, into my now twice as large bungalow with 5 beds and now (hopefully) worth about £220,000. Doesn't sound that difficult, does it?
Nope, Zurich frankly werent interested. After 60 days had elapsed with me not living there, my cover would all but disappear (apparently I *would* still be covered for global pestilence or something). No problem, says I, I'll simply move back in *before* the 60 days are up. Then I'll spend enough time there for the insurance company to be happy again, and then I'll move back out till the rest of the work is done. How long do I need to stay then? Well, "indefinitely", according to Zurich. Once my 60 days are up, even spread over more than once occasion, it seems I'm done. I'm not entirely sure I'm ever allowed to leave the building again.
So, having cut my nose off to spite my face and told Zurich where to carefully insert my cover, I now began phoning other people looking for someone who has some sense. Ummm, no. Sorry, but it seems even the 60 days cover for empty house is only somethin extended to existing customers, not new ones. Nobody wants to offer cover. What I need is buildings and contents cover for my house as it is now, since at the moment, ahem, I'm not insured. Then, in four months or so, I want my cover to increase to match the new larger house. And if its at all possible, I'd really like whatever cover someone would like to offer for the four month period between the two.
It really cant be that hard, can it? After all, many many people have extensions all the time - who do they insure with? And I reckon at least *some* of them actually move out while work is being done! Anyone have any suggestions?