With more and more homeowners choosing to improve rather than move, the number of home extension projects being carried out in the United States has increased significantly. A substantial process that requires a lot of planning, you may be wondering whether you need to inform your home insurance company if you plan to build an extension.

Find out everything you need to know about insurance and home extensions right here.

How does a home extension affect home insurance?

As mentioned above, a home extension is a large project that makes your home more susceptible to certain risks. Most notably, building an extension on your home may cause structural issues that can damage your property and make it more likely that you will need to make a claim.

Also, there are security risks associated with building a home extension, such as scaffolding that can make it easier for intruders to enter your home.

Is my builder responsible for covering my home extension?

Even if your builder has insurance, this does not necessarily mean that your home and the building work you have done are covered. It can be a good idea to ask your builder what type of insurance they have before they start the project. Ideally, you want them to have both public liability insurance and employers’ liability insurance.

If you are not sure if you are covered under your builder’s insurance, it can be a good idea to get in touch with an independent home insurance agency for advice.

Do I need to tell my insurance provider about my home extension?

Yes, you do need to tell your insurance provider if you are building an extension on your home, as a failure to inform them could invalidate your policy. By contacting your insurance provider in advance, you can enjoy peace of mind that your home is covered before, during, and after the extension has been completed.

If you are also completing any other work on your home such as extending a room, adding a conservatory, converting an attic or basement, or even just knocking down load-bearing walls, you should get in touch with your provider to notify them of this.

When do I need to contact my insurance provider?

Ideally, you should contact your insurance provider before you commence work on your home extension as this will ensure you have adequate cover throughout the project. If possible, get in touch with them during the planning stage of the extension and be clear about what work will be going on.

If anything changes during the course of the project, make sure you notify your insurance provider of these so that they can make any necessary changes to your policy.

Will my insurance policy change when building a home extension?

Not necessarily. You may find that your home insurance does not change at all once you have informed your provider about your new extension. However, it is always better to be safe than sorry, so make sure you give them a call in order to keep them informed.