If you plan to renovate, check to see if your home insurance will cover you.
If your home insurance does not cover you for renovations, builders insurance often can.
Remember, builders insurance covers the renovation itself; you will need to increase your sum insured to cover your newly renovated home.
Does home insurance cover me for renovations?
In most cases, there are two types of policies needed to adequately cover your project:
Builders insurance
Check that your builder has builders insurance. This can ensure that your home is covered for loss or damage due to the renovation work. It can also cover legal fees if someone is hurt or killed while on your property.
Some home and contents insurance policies will exclude cover for any renovation work, others will charge an additional premium and some will not cover you if the renovation project is valued above a set amount – for example, around $50,000 or $100,000. If your current provider refuses to cover you, you can change providers. Once your home has been renovated, you'll likely need to increase the amount it's insured for (sum insured).
Compare home and contents insurance side-by-side
Insurance for small renovations
You might still be covered with standard home insurance for renovations that are minor. For example, if you're changing a partition wall in a room or fixing a bathroom, you're not substantially changing or altering the structure of your house.
Aside from the $50,000 cap, a good rule of thumb when considering home insurance and renovations is if the alterations aren't making your house less secure (i.e. more vulnerable to theft and structural damage), then your current policy is more likely to cover you.
To be sure you are covered, always read your product disclosure statement (PDS) beforehand as exclusions regularly apply. For example, many do not cover any construction, alteration or renovation work. Most also require you to inform them when any construction, alteration or renovation work will start or finish.
Also be aware that no matter the size of a renovation, most insurers have exclusions for water damage that occurs during or as a result of any renovation job.
Insurance for big renovations
Home and contents insurance while renovating gets more complicated the bigger the job gets. Here are some key facts you need to be aware of:
Vacancy can void your policy. Some policies will be voided if your home is empty for a specific amount of time. If you're thinking about moving out while you renovate, you might need to think again. Some policies can lapse after just 60 days.
Tell your insurer you're renovating. If you don't notify your insurer of your renovation plans, your policy may become void – meaning if something goes wrong during the renovation, you won't be able to claim. Many insurers require you to inform them of any changes you're making to your property.
You might need builders insurance. DIY renovators need extra cover as most policies won't cover homeowners undertaking their own renovations. If you're doing any part of the renovation yourself, then you may need builder's insurance on top of your home and contents cover. If you aren't doing any work yourself, you need to make sure your contractor has builders insurance.
Renovation insurance might fill the gap in your home and contents insurance policy. If you're having difficulty finding a home and contents insurance policy while renovating, then renovation insurance could be a viable option. This is a type of specialist insurance tailored to those having difficulty getting cover. However, because it's relatively new, it's hard to say if it's good value yet.
Will insurance cover me for damage that contractors cause?
If your home insurer agrees to cover you for renovations, then you should be covered for damage or loss that contractors cause. Make sure to ask if this also includes cover for stolen goods and items. One of the main reasons insurers are reluctant to provide home insurance during renovations is that your home is often unsecured for long periods of time.
In most cases though, you will have to rely on builders insurance. If this is the case, make sure that your builder has insurance cover in case your home is damaged due to renovation work.
Speak to your contractor and their insurer as well, as it's often the case that builders insurance will only cover the portion of the home they are working on. To extend the builder's coverage temporarily to a third party, you will probably need to pay an additional fee.
Important Note: In most cases, homeowners aren't covered if work on the project is abandoned for more than 30 days. A builder's insurance policy may not cover any claims for damage caused by the abandonment of the renovation work exceeding 30 consecutive days, which could leave some owners in a sticky situation, particularly if you've hired someone who has too many jobs on the go or if your project takes place during the rainy season.
Don't leave your home unoccupied for too long
Some home insurance policies will not cover you for any claims if your home has been left unoccupied for a specific amount of time – usually between 60 and 90 days. If you plan to move out during the renovation, contact your insurer and let them know about the situation.
Don't forget to update your home insurance after a renovation
Once your home renovation project is complete, the value of your property is likely to have risen – so you'll need to update your home and contents insurance policy to reflect the new value of your home. If your home is underinsured and an insured event like a fire, storm or theft occurs, you could be hit with a large out of pocket bill.
To avoid this, you'll need to update your sum insured based on the new valuation of your home and contents.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's a good idea to have renovation insurance to cover potential damage, theft or accidents during renovations. Your builder should have their own policy to cover risks specific to their works, but a standard home insurance policy might not cover other risks associated with renovations.
If a builder does not have insurance, you could be liable for damages, accidents or unfinished work. It's always advised that you ensure your builder has public liability insurance and home warranty insurance or building insurance required in your state or territory, before starting renovations.
Most house insurance policies cover unoccupied homes for up to 60 to 90 days. After this period, you may need unoccupied home insurance, as leaving a property empty for extended periods could increase the risk of damage or theft.
Accidental buildings insurance is optional and can be useful as it covers sudden, unforeseen damage to the structure of your home, such as a burst pipe or accidental damage during renovations.
Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio
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Gary Ross has written 648 Finder guides across topics including:
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I’m trying to find an insurance company that will insure my house incomplete under renovation
Finder
JamesSeptember 26, 2021Finder
Hi Leanne,
A home and contents insurance may offer coverage for renovation work. However, most insurers will only offer a limited level of coverage for reno works – usually up to a maximum of around $50,000. Be aware that not all policies offer this type of cover.
It’s a good idea to notify the insurer of your renovation project and obtain written confirmation of exactly what they will and won’t cover.
If you’re looking for a new policy, always review the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before deciding if it’s right for you.
Regards,
James
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Important Note: In most cases, homeowners aren't covered if work on the project is abandoned for more than 30 days. A builder's insurance policy may not cover any claims for damage caused by the abandonment of the renovation work exceeding 30 consecutive days, which could leave some owners in a sticky situation, particularly if you've hired someone who has too many jobs on the go or if your project takes place during the rainy season.
Hi i am looking for renovation owner builder insurance?
Hi Jenny, we have a detailed guide to owner builder insurance which should help you out.
I’m trying to find an insurance company that will insure my house incomplete under renovation
Hi Leanne,
A home and contents insurance may offer coverage for renovation work. However, most insurers will only offer a limited level of coverage for reno works – usually up to a maximum of around $50,000. Be aware that not all policies offer this type of cover.
It’s a good idea to notify the insurer of your renovation project and obtain written confirmation of exactly what they will and won’t cover.
If you’re looking for a new policy, always review the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before deciding if it’s right for you.
Regards,
James