What is home renovation insurance?

This guide is for informational purposes only. We do not currently offer renovation insurance at MoneySuperMarket.

Key takeaways

• Inform your home insurer about your renovation plans to avoid invalidating your policy.

• Home renovation insurance can safeguard your property against mishaps like collapsed walls, fires, theft, or on-site injuries.

• After completing renovations, reassess your home insurance policy to make sure you've got the right protection and the best deal.

What is home renovation insurance?

Home renovation insurance is a type of cover that protects your property while building or improvement work is being carried out.

It covers risks such as accidental damage, theft of materials, and structural issues that can arise during renovations.

Without it, an unexpected mishap could end up delaying your project and costing you a lot of money.

What does home renovation insurance cover?

When your home is undergoing a transformation it's exposed to a variety of risks. Home renovation insurance can cover a number of scenarios:

• Damage to buildings and contents: ensuring protection against incidents like fire and flooding

• Neighbouring property harm: covering any damage that might occur to adjacent properties

• Theft of building materials: securing your investment in tools and equipment

• Loss or damage to personal possessions

• Unoccupied property issues: addressing risks associated with the house being empty for extended periods

• Public liability and employers’ liability: offering protection for any injuries that occur on the renovation site

• Legal cover: assisting with potential disputes involving tradespeople or contractors

Some renovations may offer you the option to cover subsidence or landslip if it is caused directly by the renovation work. This is usually an add-on with an extra fee.

🚩Different renovation policies can have different inclusions and exclusions. Always check your own policy wording.

Does standard home insurance cover building work?

No – standard home insurance usually does not fully cover building work, and you typically need to inform your insurer and arrange specialist renovation or extension cover while the work is being carried out.

You will need to take out specialised renovation insurance if you want to protect your home against issues such as accidental damage, theft of contents and materials, personal accidents, and legal cover for potential disputes with construction companies.

However, standard home insurers will allow you to do minor cosmetic work, such as painting a wall or replacing some taps, without needed extra cover.

Do I need to tell my insurer about renovation work?

Yes, before any renovation you should check in with your current home insurer. Neglecting to inform it of your plans could invalidate your policy.

This is especially true if you own a listed building.

What does my insurer need to know about my renovation?

When you apply for renovation insurance, the insurer will need to know key details about your renovation. You will be asked about:

• The total cost of the renovation

• The expected duration of the work

• Which structural changes will occur

• Whether the property will be unoccupied during the renovation

• Details about the builders or contractors, including their public liability insurance

📣 Did you know? Insurers paid out £1.3 billion in claims during the third quarter of 2024 to help homeowners and businesses cope with unexpected and unwanted events like fire and flooding, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

Will renovation affect my home insurance premium?

Yes – renovations can affect your home insurance premium, as insurers may increase it during the work due to higher risk, and adjust it again afterwards depending on how the changes impact your home’s value, rebuild cost, and risk profile.

Do I need to change my home insurance after a renovation?

It's a good idea to reassess your home insurance policy after the renovation work is completed. You should compare quotes to ensure your newly renovated home is adequately protected and that you're getting the best deal for your specific needs.

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