Neglecting a crucial step prior to wall demolition could lead to severe repercussions, according to experts' warnings.
Before knocking down internal walls in a home improvement project, it is essential to inform your home insurer. Most policies require disclosure of significant structural changes in advance to avoid potential issues such as policy voidance or denial of claims.
Key Consequences of Not Informing the Insurer
Failure to inform the insurer about your wall removal plans could result in your policy being voided entirely, meaning you're not covered for any claims, even if they are unrelated to the renovation.
Necessary steps before proceeding with wall demolition:
- Notify your insurer about your intentions, detailing the scope of work involving internal wall removal and any structural implications.
- Consult professionals such as a structural engineer to identify load-bearing walls and secure the correct permits.
- Review your insurance policy to confirm what kinds of renovation work are covered or excluded.
- Consider updating your policy or increasing your home’s rebuild value coverage to reflect the changes and added value of the renovation.
- Keep detailed records and communicate clearly with your insurer throughout the project.
If the renovations are significant and require you to vacate the property, you'll likely need unoccupied home insurance while the house is empty.
Advice from the Experts
Sarah Handley, a journalist since 2007 and the Section Editor for Renovation since September 2024 at an unspecified platform, emphasizes the importance of informing the insurer. Nathan Blackler, spokesperson for Go.Compare Home insurance, agrees that making structural changes to your home without informing your insurer could risk invalidating your home insurance policy.
If it's your first time knocking down a wall, consider advice from a serial renovator. Additionally, consider public liability insurance to protect against potential claims for injury or damage to third parties during construction.
In conclusion, following these steps can help ensure coverage remains valid, avoid expensive claims denials, and maintain proper protection during and after your home improvement project.
- Neglecting to inform your insurer about your plans to remove internal walls might lead to your policy being voided, making you unprotected for any claims, even those unrelated to the renovation.
- In the process of home-improvement, particularly home-and-garden projects like wall demolition, maintaining an open dialog with your insurer about the project's progress and changes in your lifestyle is crucial to ensure continued insurance coverage.
