At some point, we all yearn for a bit more space in our home. A place to unwind, entertain, or even work. One solution that is often considered is adding a conservatory. It’s an appealing option that offers extra room, brings in natural light, and can increase the value of your property. However, many homeowners have a nagging question: "Does adding a conservatory to my home increase my insurance premium?" This article seeks to shed light on this subject, focusing on the implications of home improvements on home insurance in the UK.
What a Conservatory is and Why It May Affect Your Insurance
A conservatory is essentially an extension of your house. It’s a room with glass walls and a glass roof, typically attached to the back of a house. In many respects, it’s like adding another room to your home. And, like any other home improvement work, it can potentially impact your home insurance.
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When you add a conservatory to your house, you are increasing its rebuild cost—the cost your insurer would have to pay if your house was completely destroyed and had to be rebuilt from scratch. If your rebuild cost goes up, so does the risk for your insurer, and this could consequently impact your insurance premium.
How to Find Out if Your Home Insurance Will Cover Your Conservatory
Before you make any home improvements, it’s advisable to check with your insurance company to find out whether your policy will cover the additional space. Some insurance policies automatically cover conservatories, while others require an adjustment to your policy.
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Don’t assume that your existing home insurance policy automatically covers your new extension. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Reach out to your insurer and discuss your intentions. They will inform you whether your current policy will accommodate the new addition or if you need to upgrade your insurance cover.
The Cost of Adding a Conservatory to Your Home Insurance
If you find that your current policy does not cover your conservatory, you may have to upgrade your buildings insurance. This will likely increase your premium. However, the cost can vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the conservatory.
Bear in mind that the cost of insurance is not solely based on the rebuild cost. Insurers will also take into account other factors such as the risk of damage or theft. For instance, conservatories are generally less secure than other parts of a house due to their large glass windows and doors, making them more susceptible to burglary. This could also result in a higher insurance premium.
What if You Don’t Inform Your Insurer About Your Conservatory?
You might be tempted to not disclose the addition of a conservatory to your insurer in order to avoid the potential increase in your insurance premium. This, however, can be a grave mistake.
If you don’t inform your insurer about significant changes to your property, such as adding a conservatory, you may find yourself without cover when you need it most. If something happens and you need to make a claim, your insurer may refuse to pay out if they find out you have not disclosed significant changes to your property.
Are There Ways to Mitigate the Increase in Premium?
While the addition of a conservatory to your home might increase your insurance premium, there are ways to mitigate the increase.
One approach is to increase the security of your conservatory. Install locks on all windows and doors, use security glass, and consider adding blinds or curtains to deter burglars. You could also consider joining a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, as some insurers offer discounts for members.
Another option is to shop around for a new home insurance policy. If your current insurer raises your premium significantly after you add a conservatory, it may be worth checking what other insurers can offer you. Just remember to always compare like-for-like policies to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
To conclude, adding a conservatory to your home can potentially increase your insurance premium. However, the increase can vary widely and there are ways to mitigate it. So, before you start the work, make sure you have a detailed discussion with your insurer about how it could impact your home insurance.
Seeking Planning Permission for Your Conservatory and Its Impact on Your Home Insurance
Before starting any home improvement project, it’s crucial to seek planning permission from your local council. This is especially true for significant changes such as adding a conservatory to your house.
Planning permission ensures that your newly proposed home improvement project adheres to local regulations and guidelines. It’s important to note that failure to obtain planning permission can result in fines or, in worse case scenarios, a demolition order.
Moreover, your home insurance provider may refuse to cover your conservatory if you do not have the necessary planning permission. Insurance companies are liable to cover only legal constructions. Unauthorized structures are considered high-risk and may be excluded from your policy. Therefore, to avoid any unwanted surprises, it’s essential to secure planning permission before adding a conservatory to your property.
Once you have planning permission, inform your insurer about your plans. Most insurance companies classify conservatories as a permanent fixture, meaning your buildings insurance should cover it. However, the contents of your conservatory, such as furniture, might not be covered under your standard contents insurance. You may need to extend your contents insurance to ensure that your conservatory and all its contents are adequately covered.
The Final Takeaway: Getting Your Conservatory and Staying Insured
Adding a conservatory to your home is a great way to create additional living space and increase the overall property value. However, it may also lead to an increase in your home insurance premium.
The increase in your premium is, in part, due to the increase in the rebuild cost of your property. Also, the inherent risks associated with conservatories, such as accidental damage and burglary, can lead to a higher premium.
To increase your conservatory’s security, install locks on all windows and doors, use security glass, and add blinds or curtains. Joining a Neighbourhood Watch scheme could also be beneficial as some insurers offer discounts for members.
Before you embark on your home improvement project, have a thorough discussion with your insurer about how the addition of a conservatory might influence your insurance policy. If your policy does not cover the conservatory, you will have to upgrade your insurance cover, which may lead to an increased premium.
Bear in mind, if you decide to not inform your insurer about the addition of your conservatory, and something unexpected happens, your insurance claim may be denied.
Finally, if the increase in your premium is significant, it may be worth considering shopping around for a different home insurance policy. Remember to compare similar policies to ensure you are getting the best deal.
All things considered, adding a conservatory to your home can certainly increase your home insurance premium. However, with careful planning and informed decisions, you can mitigate the increase and enjoy the benefits of your new living space.
