Buildings insurance from exchange?

[CityDweller]

Can someone talk me through getting buildings insurance from the point of exchange...? We'll be completing about a week after exchange, but not actually moving into the house for another 5-6 weeks after that.

All the online quote engines are asking me levels of detail I don't know (like what type of locks are on the doors and how many smoke alarms there are) and I don't know whether to say we own the house or not, for e.g.

I went through a broker, I probably paid more, but whilst I didn't know what I was doing, I found it worthwhile.
They sorted it all out and filled it in, in an acceptable manner, if I didn't know something.
Next year I will shop around for a better deal, for now, it is done dusted and I don't need to think about it!

You need ins from exchange as the house is your responsibility, so if it burns down you are not stuck with a mortgage on a pile of rubble. So it doesn't have any bearing on when you complete or move in.

I rang our current insurers, who sorted it out for me. You can ask for any details you need via the solicitors from the sellers but insurance companies are very used to this scenario so I don't suspect there will be much of a problem.

most mortgage companies have buildings insurance as condition as well.

I just sorted mine last night for an upcoming purchase. I called the estate agent who got the details that I needed about the type of locks etc. I stated that the property was owned, which it will be from the policy start date (when I purchased my flat a fee years ago the entry fate changed but the insurer were happy to move this out). My only niggle was with having a separate postal address so that the documents would come to me. Some let you do that but in the end I went with an online only insurer so that wasn't an issue. I recommend using moneysavingexpert to help you find the right deal and if you get a bit stuck with an online application phone the insurer - most will help you out to make a sale

you need to find out those details, asking the vendor if necessary. All the insurance companies are well used to this, but the comparison engines probably won't cope. So get an initial quote, pick up the phone and ask.

leaving the place unoccupied for that length of time will be an issue so you really need to speak to someone.

what we did is get buildings and limited contents from exchange, to include carpets, curtains etc. It then went up to full insurance for all our stuff on the day of completion.

the vendors keep their insurance until completion day as they also have an 'interest' in it until then.

Thanks everyone. I wasn't querying the fact that I need to get it (I know I do), but more how I go about getting a quote given it's going to be unoccupied for 6 weeks. (Oh, it has a flat roof too, to add to the complication). I foresee an afternoon on the phone to insurers. Fun.

I fear so - but better than the possible alternative!!

We called our existing insurer and they covered both houses on the existing policy for that period and then transferred it to the new property on completion. There was no additional premium for the period where they covered both and a slight adjustment for the new house after completing as it was a larger house in a different area so do speak to current provider first.