Buildings Cover topics

Yes, you should tell your insurer if your home is accessed by a private bridge, shared bridge or any unusual access route. This may affect how the property is assessed, especially if the bridge is your responsibility to maintain, if it is the only access to the home, or if it could affect emergency access, repairs or rebuilding work. You should also mention whether the bridge crosses a river, stream, ditch, moat or other watercourse, as this may be relevant to flood risk. If you are unsure who is responsible for maintaining the bridge, it may be worth checking your property deeds or legal documents.

In many cases, replacing windows like-for-like may simply be treated as maintenance or home improvement. However, you should tell your insurer if the work changes the structure, appearance, security, value or use of the property, or if the property is listed, in a conservation area, unoccupied during the work, or has scaffolding in place. You should also keep any Building Regulations or FENSA documentation, as this may be useful when selling the property or if questions arise later.

You’ll normally claim under your own home insurance for damage to your property. Liability for the cost may be pursued separately if another party is responsible (for example, following your insurer’s investigations). Keep photos, notes of any prior concerns raised, and invoices for urgent repairs. This page doesn’t provide legal advice; liability is assessed case-by-case by insurers and, if needed, by the courts.

Impact from falling trees or branches is an insured peril under Buildings cover. Storm damage to gates, hedges and fences is excluded, and the cost of removing a fallen tree is only covered if it has also damaged the Buildings (excess applies). Take photos where safe, prevent further damage, and keep invoices for emergency repairs. Always check your Schedule for any specific limits or conditions.

Quick answer Yes. Intelligent Insurance can usually arrange cover for completed homes built using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), subject to underwriting criteria. For more information about the cover available, visit our SIPs home insurance page. As with other types of home insurance, cover is subject to the policy terms, limits and exclusions. Loss or damage caused by faulty design, defective materials or poor workmanship is not normally covered. Why are SIPs treated as non-standard construction? SIPs are prefabricated structural panels formed by bonding an insulating core between two structural facings. Because the materials and construction method differ from a conventional brick-and-block home, insurers may need more information before offering cover. Characteristic Why underwriters may need more detail Composite panel construction The materials and construction method can affect how damage is assessed, repaired and costed. Panel facings and insulation core SIP systems can use different facing boards and insulation materials. Identifying the system helps the insurer understand the property’s construction. Off-site manufacture The manufacturer, technical approval and structural warranty can help identify the panel system and demonstrate how the property was built. External finishes and weather protection Details of the cladding, render, brickwork and roof help the insurer assess how the structural panels are protected from the weather. What information might I need for a SIPs home insurance quote? You may be asked for some or all of the following: Panel system: the manufacturer, product name and the materials used for the panel facings and insulation core, if known. Approvals and certification: any BBA or ETA approval, structural warranty and building completion certificate available for the property. Extent of SIP construction: whether SIPs are used throughout the home or only in particular walls, roofs or extensions. Age and construction stage: when the property was built and whether it is complete, occupied, being renovated or still under construction. External walls and roof: the type of cladding, render or brick finish, plus the roof construction and covering. Foundations and ground floor: details of any raft slab, insulated slab, suspended floor or other non-standard system. Heating and ventilation: details of systems such as MVHR, heat pumps and wood-burning stoves. Rebuild cost and claims history: the estimated cost of rebuilding the home and details of any previous claims. How might cover respond once the policy is live? The precise cover will depend on your insurer, policy schedule and any endorsements. The following examples are a general guide only. Scenario Typical position What to check Fire, storm, theft or escape of water Loss or damage may be covered when the cause is an insured event included in your policy. Check the limits, excesses, exclusions and any endorsements shown in your policy documents. One-off accidental damage to the building This may be covered if your policy includes Accidental Damage for Buildings and the incident meets the policy definition. Faulty design, defective materials, poor workmanship and damage arising from structural alterations are normally excluded. Damp or moisture damage that develops gradually Wear and tear, gradual deterioration and damage caused by a lack of maintenance are not normally covered. Report sudden damage promptly and maintain the property in line with appropriate professional or manufacturer guidance. Major alterations or a SIP extension Your existing home insurance may be restricted or may not be suitable while major building work is taking place. Tell us before work starts so we can check whether your policy needs to be changed or whether renovation insurance may be more appropriate. Tips for getting a quote and looking after your cover Keep any product information, technical approvals, structural warranty and completion certificate available. Make sure your buildings rebuild value reflects the cost of reinstating the property using suitable materials and specialist labour where required. If you are unsure, read our rebuild cost guide or consider advice from a suitably qualified surveyor. Consider installing leak-detection sensors in wet rooms and plant areas. Inspect and maintain the roof, cladding, sealants and other external finishes in line with suitable professional or manufacturer guidance. Tell your insurer about relevant changes to the property, its occupancy or any major building work. Looking for cover? Learn more about specialist insurance for SIP-built homes.

Quick answer Yes, if the charger is permanently installed (hard-wired and fixed to a wall or post at your home) it is treated as a fixture or fitting and is therefore covered under the Buildings section of your policy. No, if it’s a portable “granny” cable/plug-in unit that simply sits in the boot, it’s regarded as a vehicle accessory and isn’t covered. Why a fixed wallbox is covered Our policy defines Buildings as “the structure of the home … as well as fixtures and fittings … permanently fixed solar panels, … permanent hot tubs, Jacuzzis or spas.” A hard-wired EV wall-charger is a permanent electrical fixture in exactly the same way as those examples, so damage caused by any insured peril (fire, storm, escape of water, malicious damage, theft, etc.) is covered up to your Buildings sum-insured limit. If you have chosen the optional Accidental Damage extension for Buildings, one-off mishaps (e.g. reversing into the charger) are also insured. When the charger isn’t covered Our policy excludes “mechanically or electrically-propelled vehicles … and the parts, spares and accessories of any of these” from Contents cover. A loose, plug-in lead or portable charger counts as an accessory of the car, so it falls under that exclusion. Damage that arises from poor installation, wear-and-tear or faulty workmanship is not insured. Tip: Include the cost of your charger (and its installation) when calculating the full rebuilding cost of your Buildings sum insured, so you’re never under-insured.

Yes, you must notify us if you install solar panels on your roof. Policy Reference: “You must inform us if there are any changes to your circumstances or the information you have previously provided. This includes any alterations, renovations, extensions or structural changes to the buildings.” See: Policy Booklet, General Conditions – Your duties Explanation: Installing solar panels counts as a structural change to the building. Failing to tell us could invalidate a future claim. Next Steps: Contact us before or immediately after installation. Provide details such as the panel type, where they will be fitted, and confirmation that the work is professionally carried out and connected to the main building.

Yes, solar panels are covered under the insurance policy if they are permanently installed at the home. Conditions: Only covered under buildings cover, and not included in contents insurance. Must be permanently installed. Temporary or portable panels are not covered. Damage must be caused by an insured event (e.g. storm, fire, theft) as defined in the Buildings section of the policy booklet.

Yes you do. Although Intelligent Insurance policies provide cover up to £1,000,000 for buildings (so you never have to worry about being under insured), the premium is rated based on the re-build value of your property. You can use the ABI’s rebuild calculator or get a more accurate calculation by using a surveyor.

Endorsement Significance An endorsement serves to articulate specific terms, requirements, or limitations to your insurance coverage. It provides clarity on areas where the insurer may wish to restrict or define coverage. Limiting Factors Endorsements are in place to address specific concerns or risks. Insurers may choose not to offer coverage or may wish to set specific conditions, reflecting their risk assessment. No General Option In most cases, paying an additional premium does not enable the removal of endorsements. Endorsements are integral to policy terms and conditions, reflecting the insurer’s underwriting decisions. Flood Exclusion Exception The only potential exception relates to the flood exclusion endorsement. If you have a flood exclusion and seek to add this cover, reaching out to our team allows exploration of options. We may assess eligibility for coverage through Flood Re, possibly resulting in a revised premium.

Home insurance excess can include both a compulsory excess set by the insurer and a voluntary excess chosen by you. Understanding the difference between compulsory and voluntary excess can help you know how much you may need to pay if you make a claim. Excess Defined An excess is the amount you must contribute towards a claim before your insurer covers the remaining costs. It consists of both compulsory and voluntary components. Compulsory Excess This is the mandatory amount set by your insurer, automatically applied to every claim. It is non-negotiable and forms part of the total excess. Voluntary Excess Unlike compulsory excess, this is an optional amount you can choose to pay voluntarily in addition to the compulsory excess. Opting for a higher voluntary excess may lower your premium but increases your upfront contribution in a claim. Combined Impact In the event of a claim, both compulsory and voluntary excess amounts are combined. For example, if the compulsory excess is £200 and you choose a voluntary excess of £100, you would pay a total excess of £300. Premium Considerations Selecting a higher voluntary excess might lead to a reduced premium, but it’s crucial to weigh the potential savings against your ability to cover the higher excess during a claim.

Your policy excesses (the amount you pay when making a claim) are detailed in your: Quote documentation Policy schedule in My Account Different insurers have different excess structures, so always check your specific policy documents for the exact amounts that apply to you.