First Time Buyer home insurance during renovation

[Pug6435]

Hi,

We are first time buyers and we believe we are getting close to exchange. Fingers crossed, it should be done soon after the holidays. We understand we need to have home insurance ready in time for exchange so we started getting some quotes.

We'd like to do some renovation to the house we are buying before we move in, such as replacing windows, painting, replacing carpets and converting the integral garage. We anticipate that such works will take a couple of months. During the works we intent to stay at our current rental, so our house will be empty until the works are completed.

Most insurers (for example direct line, aviva, axa) have refused providing insurance because we anticipate that the house will be unoccupied for more than 60 days(during the works). They advised that we get "non-standard" insurance. We've only managed to get a handful of quotes by some rather obscure (to us) insurers, such as homeprotect, acorn, tokio, intelligent insurance.

Our questions are:

• I guess it's quite common for first time buyers to do some work before moving in, is it genuinely so difficult to get home insurance or are we doing something wrong?
• Do you have any recommendation for insurers that would offer cover for vacant properties?

Thanks!

Our mortgage broker recommended an insurance broker who found us insurance through Magenta Insurance. It was much more expensive than normal buildings cover. But had to do it as needed it to complete. Perhaps a local insurance broker could help?

Can't comment on whether they are any good as not had to claim, but I'm glad we have the cover. I have a friend renovating who lied and got normal cover to get through to completion but I couldn't deal with the stress.

Go through a broker - they will be able to source a non-standard policy that will cover you. Depending on the value of the works they may recommend a works policy over an unoccupied one. It is definitely not an unusual situation but it does require a more niche policy which, yes, will probably cost you more than a standard buildings insurance but will ensure you are covered correctly