Buildings insurance

Buildings insurance information

Buildings Insurance normally means the structure of the home and in general this will include walls, roof, floor, foundations, plumbing, wiring, windows and doors.

Within the home Buildings Insurance will also normally include permanent fixtures such as fitted kitchens and fitted bedrooms.

Outside the home (but within the property boundaries as a whole) Buildings Insurance also usually extends to Outbuildings, garages, sheds, greenhouses, paths, drives and walls.

In every case the insurer will provide an exact definition in the Policy wording

 

Buildings Insurance - what risks are covered?

Most insurance policies will cover the Buildings against certain risks and these may vary from one insurer to another. In general terms the risks covered will include:-

• Fire, Lightning, Earthquake, Explosion.
• Riot, strike, labour disturbance, civil commotion and malicious acts by persons.
• Impact or collision by aircraft or other aerial devices.
• Storm or flood and falling trees.
• Damage to underground pipes and cables, for example someone accidentally digging through a pipe or a cable.
• Subsidence, heave & landslip.
• Escape of oil or water, for example from a washing machine or central heating system.
• Accidental damage of fixed glass, for example doors, windows, greenhouses and sanitary fittings such as washbasins, baths and lavatories.
• Professional fees & certain other costs. For example Architects and surveyors fees incurred during repairs.
• Cost of alternative accommodation, if the home is made uninhabitable because of the extent of the damage.
• Loss of Rent, if the owner has let out part of the property and it becomes uninhabitable.
• Legal Liability as a Home Owner. (Owners Liability)  

Building Insurance - what is NOT covered?

All policies will have Exclusions, that is risks that the insurer is not prepared to accept, and in general they will include:-

• Wear and tear 
• Damage caused by escape of water or oil or malicious damage if the property is left unoccupied for a significant period of time.
• Storm or flood damage to gates and fences
• War, civil war, rebellion and revolution
• Coastal erosion.
• Damage caused by sonic booms and by radioactive contamination
• Once again, in every case the insurer will provide an exact definition in the Policy wording