It’s a widespread (and expensive) myth: you think your home insurance covers the work of renovations. Why not? It insures your building, so it must also insure it while it’s being renovated, right?
Well, sadly, that is not the case—and dangerously so.
In reality, 86% of homeowners incorrectly assume that their home insurance covers renovations by default. Though it makes sense, the truth is far from it.
What Your Home Cover Really Covers
Most home insurance policies allow for some minor improvements—typically up to a set limit. But that doesn’t mean the renovation work is covered. It just means your existing policy might not be invalidated outright.
Catch: If you don’t notify your insurer before work begins, your policy might be canceled altogether. Even your contents cover could be suspended.
Even when your insurer says you’re “still covered,” they usually mean:
“You’re covered for general risks like fire or flood—but not for anything related to the renovation.”
Let’s Take a Closer Look at What Isn’t Covered
1. Damage Caused by Your Contractor
Imagine your builder is working on a wall, and it collapses mid-project.
Your home insurance? Unlikely to help.
Your contractor’s insurance? Maybe—but only if negligence is proven. Even then, contractors may avoid claiming to prevent premium hikes, and payouts might not go to you.
2. Gross Structural Failures
Suppose a chimney stack crashes through your roof, damaging a large section of your home.
Would your insurance cover it? Almost certainly not.
If damage is related to ongoing works, insurers will deny responsibility—leaving you with potentially devastating financial costs.
3. Stolen or Damaged Building Materials
If your materials are left on-site and get stolen or vandalized, who covers them?
Your insurance? Likely not. Your builder? Only if they own the materials—and only with explicit coverage in the contract.
Without a clause specifying responsibility for insuring materials, there’s a high chance they’re not covered at all.
Bottom Line: Don’t Bank on Routine Home Insurance When Renovating
Standard home insurance does not protect you during building works. Even if your insurer continues coverage, there’s often a clause like this:
“Any loss or damage relating to the works is excluded.”
Meaning: if anything goes wrong—even on existing parts of your home—it’s likely not covered if it’s connected to renovation activity.
How to Stay Properly Protected
- ✅ Notify your home insurer before any work begins
- ✅ Get written confirmation of what is and isn’t included
- ✅ Purchase specialist renovation insurance to cover property, materials, and works
Final Thought
Don’t assume you’re safe. Renovating without proper insurance can cost far more than the renovation itself. Double-check your coverage, secure the right policy, and don’t become one of the 86% who learn the hard way.