Most houses can be covered with a regular home insurance policy, but as a nation we are increasingly seeking to have a unique home and this is causing issues relating to protecting our buildings with cover.
While it may seem like the dream to have a thatched cottage in the country, or a second home by the sea, or a barn conversion in which to raise a family – this type of a property can often lead to complications when you come round to insuring it.
The rise of design television shows in the 1990s led to us all opening our eyes and realising that the sky is the limit with what we can do with our houses. But it’s important to bear in mind we still need to insure these properties and this can be a complex area if you have an unusual house.
Thatched properties are fairly rare in the UK now but if this is your dream home you might find a regular insurer does not want to offer you cover as they deem this type of a house to be an increased fire risk as a result of the thatched roof. Second homes can pose problems as they are left empty for much of the year, while a barn conversions comes with its own set of issues.
Insuring a thatched property
The first thing you need to do when you are considering the purchase of a property with a thatched roof is to check what sort of condition it is in, as this will help you to put together a schedule for repair work in the future.
Once you’re ready to move in, you’ll need to carry out regular checks on the state of the roof so you can start doing repairs before any problem gets to be serious – it is vital to catch any potential issues early as the longer they are left, the more expensive they are going to be to resolve.
Thatched house insurance is a vital purchase if you are planning to buy a home of this nature due to the cover and the peace of mind it can provide, setting your mind at ease and giving you the help you need when the time comes to carry out repairs.
Insurance for second homes
The issue with finding an insurance policy for a second home is that the property could be left empty for months at a time, which leads to it potentially being seen as an easy target for thieves.
If criminals spot a house has been left empty they might view it as a chance to break in without being caught, which is partly why it is so vital you have the right level of cover for your needs.
Having a second home has major benefits – especially as it gives you a great place to relax and unwind away from your main residence – but it is no good if you risk yourself wide open to becoming a victim of a burglary – so second home insurance is a vital purchase you cannot afford to ignore.
Insuring a converted property
It’s becoming increasingly common to look at a blank canvas such as a barn so you are able to craft your dream house from scratch, but this too poses problems in terms of insurance.
Barn renovations are sprouting up all over the country, but you need to make sure you are covered in case anything goes wrong with the project. Setting a budget before building work begins will allow you to keep the cost of the plans under control, but investing in renovation insurance is a purchase that could prove to be worth its weight in gold in the future.
In short, unless you live in a common-or-garden property, there is a chance you will be able to benefit from buying specialist home insurance. It provides you with a level of cover that is much more suited to your needs and can take a weight off your shoulders.
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