Yes, we can insure projects without any contract at all, or where another type of contract is being used instead. You’d be better having a JCT though because the contract is binding. Contractor terms and conditions often favour the contractor and are silent on insurance and negligence. Most are silent on anything not in favour of the contractor!

Renovation Underwriting’s works insurance policies are project-specific solutions that protect both your building works and existing home during a renovation or building project.

Standard home insurance excludes or restricts your buildings cover during works or shows a limit for works with which your insurers are comfortable. Your home insurance usually does not cover you for the works themselves or any liabilities arising from them.

We provide an All Risks contract works package covering:

• The Contract Works

• The Existing Structure

• Property Owner’s Liability

• Project Public Liability (if self-managing a project)

• Employer’s Liability (if paying labour directly)

• Non-Negligent Liability (mostly but not exclusively if you have an exposure under the Party Wall Act 1996)

We do not insure existing structures in isolation. We offer the full range of perils under both sections, including subsidence, accidental damage, and damage caused by the contractor.

Cover automatically ceases at the point of practical completion or the expiry of the policy. You should ensure that an extension is arranged or have a standard home insurance product available at the end of the project. Your broker will help you with this.

Home insurer’s definitions of works vary a lot, but it is safe to assume that project specific works insurance will be required if you are planning structural changes to your home. Building works trigger exclusions in home insurance which could leave gaps in cover or cover excluded altogether. Works insurance can also protect non-structural projects that are too large for your home insurer to accommodate. The value of works is always the total project cost including fees and VAT.

No, we only provide insurance policies via insurance brokers. Insurance brokers act as independent intermediaries who can you give you independent expert advice and represent you during the claims process.

No, unlike home insurance or contractor’s insurance which renews yearly, our policies are project-specific. They protect your works and home for the duration of your project. If the policy is due to expire before the work is completed, we can extend the policy until it is finished.

If the works are completed, you should immediately insure the buildings under standard home insurance for the updated rebuild value. If the works are not completed, the works policy can be extended. Please note that extensions will not happen automatically, you must instruct your insurance broker if an extension is required.

Premiums depend on many risk factors including project cost, project type, rebuild values and duration. The premium reflects the risk and potential claims exposure of the project but could start as low as £475 plus Insurance Premium Tax (IPT).

General contents insurance can be offered during works, subject to certain conditions and inner limits. Coverage excludes contents away from the premises, fine art, or jewellery.

Existing home insurers might provide more comprehensive contents cover during works, especially if the home is vacated during the contract period.