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Original poster

Buildings insurance for house + annexe

12 replies

KievLoverTwo · 25/04/2023 14:17

Hi all,

I don't know if I'm doing the right thing re: getting online quotes. The annexe of the house we are buying is a completely self-contained and someone could (but won't) live in it, but none of the online comparison sites give me the option to add a second building (only extensions, e.g. extra rooms added to the house, conservatories).

So, I've added an extra kitchen, bathroom and toilet, and looked at the costs there.

I feel like that's just too easy though, and that we probably need to be pay for two separate buildings?

Can anyone confirm what you've done or know about this please?

Thanks.

OP posts:
hauntedvagina · 25/04/2023 17:41

I'd assume that you'd only need separate insurance if it's a property in its own right, so registered for council tax.

Is it attached to your actual house and can you access from your house or does it have its own entrance?

Lonecatwithkitten · 25/04/2023 18:00

NFU cover our separate annex no problem at all. Totally normal for them as they deal with so many rural properties.

Original poster
KievLoverTwo · 26/04/2023 11:11

hauntedvagina · 25/04/2023 17:41

I'd assume that you'd only need separate insurance if it's a property in its own right, so registered for council tax.

Is it attached to your actual house and can you access from your house or does it have its own entrance?

They had a fight with the council about it being registered for council tax; originally they were due to move an elderly relative in, but she died before it was complete. It only has a kitchenette and they fought the council tax challenge successfully.

Idk what an insurer would do, they are law unto themselves.

It's completely separate.

OP posts:
Original poster
KievLoverTwo · 26/04/2023 11:11

Lonecatwithkitten · 25/04/2023 18:00

NFU cover our separate annex no problem at all. Totally normal for them as they deal with so many rural properties.

Really useful recommendation, thank you.

OP posts:
Dodgygeezer · 26/04/2023 11:23

Strongly recommend leaving the price comparison websites and speaking to a proper broker. Meerkats are fine for bog standard but that it not what you have and you risk being uninsured or underinsured if you can't properly declare it online.

Original poster
KievLoverTwo · 26/04/2023 12:23

Dodgygeezer · 26/04/2023 11:23

Strongly recommend leaving the price comparison websites and speaking to a proper broker. Meerkats are fine for bog standard but that it not what you have and you risk being uninsured or underinsured if you can't properly declare it online.

Yup, I figured as much, made a call yesterday. £1340 a year. Because it's an 1880 stone build, they're valuing the re-build at £1.4 million.

The current owners just have bog standard 5 bed house insurance. Which is fine if you want your claim on your collapsed annexe building denied. We're not happy with that level of risk.

(it's not that easy to find a specialist who covers other buildings, I wasn't just being lazy).

OP posts:
Lonecatwithkitten · 26/04/2023 13:39

With an 1880 stone build you are also better with a more specialist insurer like NFU as they are used to old buildings and their contractors know how to work with them.

GatherlyGal · 26/04/2023 13:51

Yes you need a broker to help. We had an Airbnb in our basement in a previous house and it was a nightmare to insure. In the end I found a policy but it was an "intermediary only" policy so I had to find the broker to get the policy I found myself.

Original poster
KievLoverTwo · 26/04/2023 14:01

GatherlyGal · 26/04/2023 13:51

Yes you need a broker to help. We had an Airbnb in our basement in a previous house and it was a nightmare to insure. In the end I found a policy but it was an "intermediary only" policy so I had to find the broker to get the policy I found myself.

Thanks. Hadn't really occurred to me that buildings insurance brokers exist.

OP posts:
Roaminginthegloaming · 26/04/2023 16:40

@KievLoverTwo - we have a Grade II 1840s stone built house with an annexe.

The insurance broker we use is www.astonlark.com (see ‘personal insurance’ section) but best to give them a call to discuss your requirements.

Aston Lark | Insurance Brokers

Aston Lark is an industry leading independent insurance brokers with over 75 offices across the UK & Ireland. What matters to you, matters to us.

http://www.astonlark.com

Original poster
KievLoverTwo · 26/04/2023 16:42

Roaminginthegloaming · 26/04/2023 16:40

@KievLoverTwo - we have a Grade II 1840s stone built house with an annexe.

The insurance broker we use is www.astonlark.com (see ‘personal insurance’ section) but best to give them a call to discuss your requirements.

Many thanks.

OP posts:
hettiethehare · 26/04/2023 16:57

Yes - brokers for buildings insurance are really helpful for anything non-standard!

Our sellers also had our 3 flat period conversion building insured with bog standard 6 bed house insurance (which unbelievably our solicitor didn't pick up on when we bought!) and I was tearing my hair out trying to find a policy until someone said to use a broker and it was so much easier.

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