At Renovation Underwriting, we’re committed to fully protecting all homes and properties undergoing renovations – not just providing cover, but full property protection and complete peace of mind right from the start. As the industry leader in private client contract works insurance, our mission is to go above and beyond in our product offer to support as fully as possible. With that in mind, we are delighted to formally launch the newest addition to the RU product suite – Renovation Non-Neg Pro.

A new standard in renovation cover

The launch of Renovation Non-Neg Pro reinforces our commitment to providing specialist, reliable and comprehensive renovation insurance for brokers, contractors and property owners tackling complex projects.

This specialist non-negligent liability insurance is designed to protect property owners from the significant costs that can arise during renovation or construction works – even when no one is at fault. Available on the wholesale market, Renovation Non-Neg Pro offers market-leading cover for complex and high-risk projects, including those falling under the Party Wall Act 1996.

Closing the protection gap

Non-Negligent Liability insurance responds under a legal concept known as ‘strict liability’. In renovation terms, it means that if damage occurs to a neighbouring property during project works – and no one can be proven responsible – the property owner can still be liable for repair costs.

These costs can be eye-watering and previous Non-Negligent Liability insurance claims have included:

• £1,000,000 – structural movement that required complete demolition.
• £750,000 – cracking and structural failure due to a new basement dig.
• £400,000 – roof collapse following the removal of an internal wall.
• £275,000 – widespread structural cracking following underpinning and vibration.

This is when having a Renovation Non-Neg Pro policy is vital. It steps in when contractors’ Public Liability or Professional Indemnity insurance fails. It offers a vital safety net to protect against high-value, no-fault claims.

Cover like no other

Unlike many alternatives, Renovation Non-Neg Pro is fully JCT-compliant, covers both domestic and commercial projects, and can provide up to £5 million of protection (depending on the risk profile), has a policy duration of up to 4 years, can be written on a standalone basis and can be used as a primary or XoL layer.

Why we stand out

Policies are underwritten by our in-house specialists, and our unique offering of an on-site structural engineer means we can interpret technical details without having to ask elsewhere and liaise directly with project teams and professionals. This combination of expertise and careful underwriting means cover is placed accurately from the start, avoiding unpleasant surprises at the point of claim.

Putting quality before speed

Douglas Brown, Managing Director, said: “Our priority is ensuring policyholders aren’t left exposed to losses they can’t afford or don’t understand. With Non-Negligent Liability insurance, awareness is low, but the stakes are high. We take the time to understand every detail of the project so the cover works exactly as intended when it’s needed most.”

Len Albon, our Non-Negligent Liability consultant, who has over 12 years’ experience in writing Non-Negligent Liability insurance, added: “Structural damage doesn’t need to be anyone’s fault to result in huge costs. Renovation Non-Neg Pro addresses that blind spot with a technically robust, comprehensive solution.”

In short, Renovation Non-Neg Pro provides protection when other policies fall short. To ensure the cover is placed with the upmost quality, we take time to understand the detail of the project – prioritising quality over speed and cost. We work with care, clarity and structural insight to ensure that any cover placed operates as it should, so no claim is compromised.

To help you with everything you need to know, >>visit our Toolkit<<, designed to support your understanding of Renovation Non-Neg Pro. Watch our newly launched short film on the importance of having Non-Negligent Liability insurance, discover our three-part Party Wall series, read our Sales Support Guide, and view the product pages to ensure that Renovation Non-Neg Pro is right for you.

Think that Renovation Non-Neg Pro might be needed for your next renovation project? We work with brokers across the country to ensure residential and commercial property owners are fully protected. Use our search tool to find your own renovation insurance specialist.

If you’d like to discuss Renovation Non-Neg Pro in more detail, contact our team.