Insuring a Refurb Project in a Flood Zone

16 September 2021
by Mike Round

We are about to refurbish an old cottage deemed to be in flood zone 3 - along with our son. Our intention was to refurbish the cottage then rent it our for a couple of years before our son moves in permanently.
The mortgage provider insists on flood cover, as expected. Whilst we can get flood insurance cover as part the Government Flood RE scheme if our son lives in the cottage from day 1 - we are struggling to get insurance on the basis that we initially rent it out.
Any thoughts how we insure for flooding for a rental property?
thx

2 Answers

  1. Anamika Talwaria says:

    Hi Mike,

    Thanks for your question. I’ve passed this through to our experts and will aim to have an answer for you asap.

    Anamika Talwaria (Build It features editor)

  2. Simon Middleton says:

    Hi Mike,

    Most buy to let policies are underwritten in the same way a standard home insurance would be in respect to weather related perils – providing the property is occupied. Assuming we are concerned simply with the completed renovation, then it’s best to approach a specific buy to let/rental insurer and they will likely underwrite the flood risk.

    Cover for flood and other risks associated with a renovation project during the renovation process should be available through site insurance.

    Ultimately, expecting a standard home insurer to cover a rental property isn’t perhaps the best way to go. Here are a few companies that may be able to help:
    https://floodassist.co.uk/insurance/landlord-insurance
    https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/landlord-insurance/
    https://www.endsleigh.co.uk/commercial/landlord-insurance/non-standard-landlord-insurance/

    Simon Middleton (MD, Protek)

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