Insurance when moving house

[ThisMustBeMyDream]

I need to get house insurance for when we move. However we are exchanging and completing on the same day. If I take a policy now to start on that date, what happens if there is a delay in moving, or worse, we don't move.
I've looked on a few insurers websites but they don't answer this query. And phone lines not open until Monday. I don't want to take a policy that will cost me if I don't need it.

Are you talking about buildings insurance? It needs to start on the day you excjange contracts - whether you complete that day or not.

Buildings, but will also be contents as cheaper to have both together than separate policies. Exchange and completion are the same day.
I know it needs cover from then.

Can you answer my question?

It doesn't matter if you complete that day or not. Lots of people do it a week apart. Insurance still needs to be in place from date of exchange.

I'm asking what happens if it doesn't happen. Will the insurance policy be able to have the date changed or cancelled?

if you have a mortgage you need to have insurance in place before closing. It’s quite unusual for a sale not to close when you’ve got to the final stages but afaik insurance policies (in ireland anyway) have a cooling off period of 10-14 days in which you can cancel and get a refund. Worth googling for your country

That isn't my concern. My question is if there is a delay in exchange (thus completion given it is the same day) or if it doesn't go through.

I had a chain collapse just before exchange earlier this year. Luckily I hadn't yet taken the policy. This time because exchange and completion are the same day (not my choice) I want to know what will happen with the insurance policy. Google not helpful. Nor are the companies websites, all of which appear to be closed until Monday for phone calls to discuss.

Cooling off period applied as industry standard is 14 days so you'll fine to cancel it if needed

We exchanged, completed and took out the insurance all on the same day. You don’t need to take the insurance out days before exchange.

We took out the policy, sent details to the solicitor and then exchange happened followed by completion a few hours later.

I pre arranged it the to start the day I exchanged. They asked the date it was to start, I said X but wait til i confirm, so it was just a quick call to say to start it (and pay the fee).

Do yiu mean what happens if wchanfe doesnt happen?

Just wait til you get the call you've exchanged, ring direct line and get buildings insurance set up.

Then, when you are actually moved in, cancel your plan and switch it to a buildings and contents cover.

Finally you got your answer OP!

I'm pretty sure last time I moved I had a policy quote all lined up and just had to go online at the point of exchange and activate it, so to speak.

You can set up your quote in advance, all ready to go on money supermarket (or other sites I'm sure) and just log on and hit 'go' the moment you know you've exchanged.

We got the insurance on the day of exchange after we got the call from solicitor that exchange had happened

Ring your current insurer up, and have a quote for the new address and they can save the quote. Then on the day you can ring them up and go ahead with the saved quote. If you cancel with the 14 days you will be charged for days on cover and a fee. If you cancel one home cover you will be charged a fee too but to swap from one address to another there is likely to be an admin fee

Although I notice they didn't come back to say thanks 🙄

Although you may not be aware, I do not live on mumsnet. I just got a load of pointless answers until that point and had gone to bed. Given I am moving house this week, I have been somewhat busy all day. Just sat down for late lunch.

Absolutely pointless post from you. But cheers 👍.

Google did not give me this answer, so I hope so. That would be great. Although I'm sure it will cost me anyway! Thanks.

For some unknown reason they won't cover me. It's with urban jungle currently, and it seems they don't want to insure houses. They pass me on to a 3rd party which is extortionate.

If your current insurer cannot cover you at the new house ask them if a "re broke" is available, this means starting a new 12 month contract with another underwriter, assuming you are with a broker.
Go online and get a quote for the new house, and save the quote. Once you know you are moving go ahead with the quote and cancel current insurance, if you have a removal Co make sure they have in transit insurance ( they will) and ask your current insurer if they will cover you also in transit to the new property

My current policy runs out Sept 16th, so I was just going to let it run and cancel renewal. Policy documents say it covers in transit, and removals tell me they are insured also 😊.

When are you hoping to actually move

Weds. The 6th.