Renovation Underwriting makes placing renovation business simpler and quicker

September 1, 2026

Categories:

Brokers, Insurers

From 1st September 2026, we’ve made an important improvement to the way brokers can place renovation business with us, giving eligible, straightforward private client risks a quicker route from enquiry to policy.

Straightforward where it can be. Specialist where it needs to be.

Private client risks with a premium below £3,000 that meet our automatic approval criteria can now be priced and bound immediately through our existing Underwriting Portal without needing manual underwriter review.

Where a risk falls outside those criteria, including risks with a premium above £3,000, commercial client risks or projects where the property, works or cover require specialist consideration, the enquiry will go directly to our underwriting team.

It is about making the process quicker where the nature of the risk allows it, without taking specialist underwriting away from the projects that need it.

“Not every renovation risk is complex, and good underwriting recognises that too. Straightforward enquiries should be able to move quickly. When a project needs more, that’s where time, judgement and specialist input matter. Knowing the difference is where our experience counts. We are the most experienced in the renovation insurance market because we make it our business to understand risks better than anyone else.” Managing Director, Douglas Brown

We’ve made the submission process easier too

Brokers should continue to submit their enquiries through our Underwriting Portal as usual, but accessing it is now simpler.

The Underwriting Portal can now be accessed directly rather than through the Broker Hub, which has been decommissioned.

We’ve also updated the online question set to match the automatic approval criteria and introduced a new proposal form to help brokers capture the information we need from clients.

Together, these changes give the Portal the information it needs to determine whether an enquiry can proceed automatically or should be referred for specialist underwriting review.

One place to start. The right support from there.

To make the new way of working with RU as clear as possible, we’ve created a new ‘How to work with us’ page.

It brings together the information, resources and guidance brokers need to start and progress a renovation enquiry, whether the risk can be automatically priced and approved or needs the judgement of one of our specialist underwriters.

From one place, brokers can access the Underwriting Portal, download the new proposal form, watch practical walkthroughs and find FAQs and guidance to help them place business with RU.

“When you’re buying insurance, you are buying a promise. And when projects are complex and challenging, the strength of our promise starts long before a claim. It starts with our understanding of what we’re being asked to insure. Detail matters. We want brokers to make a recommendation without reservation, knowing the thinking has been done. If a project needs more explanation, they know they have our specialists behind them who are ready to help.” Managing Director, Douglas Brown

Support when you need it

Making the process easier doesn’t mean taking our people out of it.

Our team remains available if you want to discuss a risk or need advice before submitting an enquiry and we offer free CPD training for brokers teams who want to build their contract works knowledge and confidence.

Everything you need to get started is available on our new ‘How to work with us’ page.

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