Own builds, insurance and accidents

[RogerS]

Something that has been mithering away now for a while is this.

A lot of us build our own 'outbuildings'. Be they sheds, workshops or anything else. A huge amount of time and effort goes into them. Most of us will have some form of buildings insurance cover and many of these policies will cover damage to outbuildings.

But, worst case scenario, a tree falls and crushes your outbuilding. Just how would one go about quantifying that claim? How do you get it rebuilt ? It's not a simple question of toddling down to Homebase and buying another shed. Or going to Vale Orangeries and asking for a replacement. But equally, your time in building it in the first place has a cost.

Has anyone been in that situation ?

 

[sunnybob]

Insurance companies wont be interested in your labour costs.
Straight replacement by area, by the cheapest method will be their way to go unless you want to argue loud and long (and then see your premiums triple)

 

[marcros]

You would get a quote for a similar replacement. If it were a brick built workshop, you would contact a builder with details of what you want. Presumably the foundations etc would be fine. The fact that you built it yourself isn't that relevant. If it was a shed, you would get a quote from a supplier plus erection charges, or a quote from somebody that would build to a similar spec that you had if it was built that way. The loss adjuster would probably want to inspect the remains of what you have to ensure that you are not demanding a brick built workshop to replace the rotting 6*4 shed that the tree fell on, and would probably want to validate any prices.

 

[Blackswanwood]

It’s no different to a self build house Roger. The insurance cover is for a built house, not all the materials less the value of the labour to build it.

Obviously the insurance company will want to know that they are reinstating what the policyholder had rather than paying for betterment but it shouldn’t be a problem.

 

[Rorschach]

They will replace like for like, who built it is irrelevant. If you had a wooden shed, you will get a new wooden shed of comparable size and quality. Labour costs or your time invested don't matter, they will pay for someone to put it up or you could probably negotiate a rate to put it up yourself.

 

[RogerS]

My bad. The issue of who built it is irrelevant. I guess my concern is if one has built something that is, shall we say a bit out of the ordinary, then how would that be handled ?

 

[Rorschach]

Speak to your insurer about it. Having good documentation is key as well if you have something valuable or unusual.

 

[Blackswanwood]

It depends on what you mean by out of the ordinary. A workshop built to a higher spec than average should not be a problem albeit the insurance company may reasonably request evidence that it was (and of course the sum insured would need to reflect it also). One thing to watch is that most home insurance policies will only provide cover if the workshop is used for non-business purposes.

Contrary to popular belief large big name insurance companies don’t set out to avoid paying valid claims. They will ask for evidence to substantiate the claim and making full disclosure when applying avoids any problems later down the line.

 

[Trainee neophyte]

My bad. The issue of who built it is irrelevant. I guess my concern is if one has built something that is, shall we say a bit out of the ordinary, then how would that be handled ?

Firstly, I was just thinking to myself yesterday that I hadn't heard the word "mithered" for years, and there it is.

Secondly, your insurance will cover standard construction methods and standard buildings, unless tell your insurance company otherwise. If you have built a four story cob castle as your "shed", you may want to have a conversation with your insurers before you make a claim, rather than afterwards. Anything is insurable, but you may not like the premium. Also your current insurer may not want the risk, so telling them could cause you a sudden need to find a new insurer, although if you don't tell, then have a claim...

Weird risks are best dealt with by a broker, rather than going direct to the company. Are we allowed to ask what "out of the ordinary" means?

 

[RogerS]

My bad. The issue of who built it is irrelevant. I guess my concern is if one has built something that is, shall we say a bit out of the ordinary, then how would that be handled ?

Firstly, I was just thinking to myself yesterday that I hadn't heard the word "mithered" for years, and there it is.

Secondly, your insurance will cover standard construction methods and standard buildings, unless tell your insurance company otherwise. If you have built a four story cob castle as your "shed", you may want to have a conversation with your insurers before you make a claim, rather than afterwards. Anything is insurable, but you may not like the premium. Also your current insurer may not want the risk, so telling them could cause you a sudden need to find a new insurer, although if you don't tell, then have a claim...

Weird risks are best dealt with by a broker, rather than going direct to the company. Are we allowed to ask what "out of the ordinary" means?

Very good points, TN.

OK..here it is...(not finished yet)

 

[Rorschach]

Well this explains an awful lot about Roger's attitude.

 

[Blackswanwood]

Roger, that looks superb. Is it all your own work?

I would suggest that you simply speak to your insurance company (or broker if you have one). I would be surprised if it presented a problem.

 

[Trainee neophyte]

Wow! When can I move in?

And that's your shed?

What does the house look like?

 

[Blackswanwood]

Well this explains an awful lot about Roger's attitude.

By which you must mean hard working with a penchant for an orangery?

Why make a comment like that other than to be antagonistic?

 

[doctor Bob]

Well this explains an awful lot about Roger's attitude.

By which you must mean hard working with a penchant for an orangery?

Why make a comment like that other than to be antagonistic?

Funny how we read things, I read it as though Rorschach was "understanding Rogers need for specialist insurance for a unique building and complimenting the glasshouse" but that's just me.

P.S. looking good Roger.

 

[ColeyS1]

Really taking shape now Roger- your hard work looks like its paid off!

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

 

[Blackswanwood]

Funny how we read things, I read it as though Rorschach was "understanding Rogers need for specialist insurance for a unique building and complimenting the glasshouse" but that's just me.

P.S. looking good Roger.

And if I have incorrectly read it to be a continuation of a previous spat in another thread I apologise. For me though there is a difference between expressing a concern/asking a question and displaying an attitude. As I say, if I have read more into it than intended I stand corrected.

 

[RogerS]

Roger, that looks superb. Is it all your own work?

I would suggest that you simply speak to your insurance company (or broker if you have one). I would be surprised if it presented a problem.

That's very kind of you to say. Yes, it is. Well, not the i-joists...I bought those in.

 

[RogerS]

Wow! When can I move in?

And that's your shed?

What does the house look like?

Thanks, TN.

 

[RogerS]

Really taking shape now Roger- your hard work looks like its paid off!

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Thanks, Coley.