The dangers of botch ‘do-it-yourself’ jobs are well documented, but did you know that accidents involving dodgy DIY can invalidate your insurance? For many people, carrying out their own home improvements is a way of saving money. But in a lot of cases it can end up costing them more than if they had hired a professional in the first place.
We deal with insurance companies every day, so we thought we would pull together our top five tips on how to avoid getting into hot water with your insurer:
1. Keep them informed
It’s always best to let your building and contents insurer know if you are planning to carry out any significant home improvements. Even if you’re using a professional, there are some changes that would invalidate your home insurance, such as moving walls or plumbing.
2. Check you are covered for accidental damage
Accidental damage isn’t always automatically included within insurance policy terms and conditions. Check that you are covered before embarking on any work.
3. Beware if you’re not qualified
‘Accidental damage’ is likely to cover you for minor mishaps like drilling through pipes, but if you have a major DIY disaster, and you're not properly qualified to be carrying out the work, you may find that your insurance won’t cover it, leaving you badly out of pocket.
4. All tradesmen should be insured
If you're employing tradesmen to undertake the work for you, check that they're qualified and registered with a recognised governing body. Most home insurance policies do not cover tradesmen or their work, so you should also check that they have their own insurance in place.
5. Check safety regulations
You should always call in the professionals to ensure gas, electrical, plumbing or structural work meets safety and building regulations.
Michael Ward, Managing Director of PayingTooMuch.com said:
“We often talk to customers who have had a DIY disaster which has resulted in an unsuccessful claim. It didn’t even occur to them that they wouldn’t be insured for any damage they caused. Talking to your insurer beforehand is a good idea. It won’t necessarily result in a higher premium, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. We also highly recommend that you check you are covered for accidental damage on both your buildings and contents insurance. Paying a little extra now can pay dividends in the long run.”
