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In most cases, there are two types of policies needed to adequately cover your project:
Check that your builder has builders insurance. This can ensure that your home is covered for loss or damage due to the renovation work. It can also cover legal fees if someone is hurt or killed while on your property.
Some home and contents insurance policies will exclude cover for any renovation work, others will charge an additional premium and many will not cover you if the renovation project is valued above a set amount – often around $20,000 to $50,000. If your current provider refuses to cover you, you can change providers. Once your home has been renovated, you'll likely need to increase the amount it's insured for (sum insured).
You might still be covered with standard home insurance for renovations that are minor. For example, if you're changing a partition wall in a room or fixing a bathroom, you're not substantially changing or altering the structure of your house.
Aside from the $50,000 cap, a good rule of thumb when considering home insurance and renovations is if the alterations aren't making your house less secure (i.e. more vulnerable to theft and structural damage), then your current policy is more likely to cover you.
To be sure you are covered, always read your product disclosure statement (PDS) beforehand as exclusions regularly apply. For example, many do not cover any construction, alteration or renovation work. Most also require you to inform them when any construction, alteration or renovation work will start or finish.
Also be aware that no matter the size of a renovation, most insurers have exclusions for water damage that occurs during or as a result of any renovation job.
Home and contents insurance while renovating gets more complicated the bigger the job gets. Here are some key facts you need to be aware of:
If your home insurer agrees to cover you for renovations, then you should be covered for damage or loss that contractors cause. Make sure to ask if this also includes cover for stolen goods and items. One of the main reasons insurers are reluctant to provide home insurance during renovations is that your home is often unsecured for long periods of time.
In most cases though, you will have to rely on builders insurance. If this is the case, make sure that your builder has insurance cover in case your home is damaged due to renovation work.
Speak to your contractor and their insurer as well, as it's often the case that builders insurance will only cover the portion of the home they are working on. To extend the builder's coverage temporarily to a third party, you will probably need to pay an additional fee.
Important Note: In most cases, homeowners aren't covered if work on the project is abandoned for more than 30 days. A builder's insurance policy may not cover any claims for damage caused by the abandonment of the renovation work exceeding 30 consecutive days, which could leave some owners in a sticky situation, particularly if you've hired someone who has too many jobs on the go or if your project takes place during the rainy season.Some home insurance policies will not cover you for any claims if your home has been left unoccupied for a specific amount of time – usually between 60 and 90 days. If you plan to move out during the renovation, contact your insurer and let them know about the situation.
Once your home renovation project is complete, the value of your property is likely to have risen – so you'll need to update your home and contents insurance policy to reflect the new value of your home. If your home is underinsured and an insured event like a fire, storm or theft occurs, you could be hit with a large out of pocket bill.
To avoid this, you'll need to update your sum insured based on the new valuation of your home and contents.
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I’m trying to find an insurance company that will insure my house incomplete under renovation
Hi Leanne,
A home and contents insurance may offer coverage for renovation work. However, most insurers will only offer a limited level of coverage for reno works – usually up to a maximum of around $50,000. Be aware that not all policies offer this type of cover.
It’s a good idea to notify the insurer of your renovation project and obtain written confirmation of exactly what they will and won’t cover.
If you’re looking for a new policy, always review the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before deciding if it’s right for you.
Regards,
James