Difficulties obtaining buildings insurance on renovation project - any suggestions?

[onceipopicantstop]

We are due to exchange and complete on a property tomorrow. Exchange has been delayed as we didn't realise until yesterday that buildings insurance was a requirement for exchange. I spent all afternoon on the phone yesterday and noone is interested in insuring us. It's an old property and the survey identified rising damp, and a rotten main roof beam. These are the main "essential" repairs required. In addition we are planning an extension. We will not be living at the property until all the work is completed.

The insurance companies seem to have an issue with it being unoccupied/a renovation project. Plus one today has said they can't insure us until we have planning permission for the extension - the plans aren't even drawn up yet, plus we obviously can't apply until we own the house.

Anyway getting a bit desperate now! Any advice appreciated .

If you haven't already, speak to your solicitor and she if he/she has any ideas. Otherwise, if are getting a mortgage speak to those providing it as they may be able to offer insurance alongside their mortgage.

Or ask the current owners who they insure with?

Have you tried NFU? They are sometimes more flexible - insured us in a similar position.

We had a problem when we hit 6 months on our unnoccupied renovation and moved to NatWest for insurance. They didn't mind. Have you tried them...?

Hi thanks for your replies. As eastwickwitch had suggested we found out who the house was currently insured with and eventually had some success. It's limited insurance but at least we'll be covered if the house burns down!! Can't believe how difficult it was to find an insurer though.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Might be too late. I'm using renovation plan (you can google them). Expensive but without all the clauses that make he cheaper ones worthless (eg no boarded up windows). Got cover same day if I remember right. Agree it is a complete hassle getting building insurance for an empty property when work is being done. (Just empty seems easier).