Renovation work combines new construction with property that already exists. A contract works enquiry should establish which party insures each part and how the project’s stages affect responsibility.
The decision that deserves the closest review
Describe works, materials, temporary structures and the existing building separately. Ask when cover starts and ends, how practical completion is treated and whether theft from site or off-site storage is included. Align the enquiry with the building contract.
A hypothetical example
A contractor renovates an occupied premises. It checks insurance for the existing structure and the new works separately so that a standard works sum insured is not mistaken for protection for the whole building.
Works and existing property
Separate the new works from the existing structure, materials and contractor equipment. Identify the responsible party and the period during which each item must be insured. The building contract and insurance arrangements should be considered together.
Premiums, excesses and usable cover
Request quotations using the same business description, required limits and relevant dates. Put the annual premium, any instalment charges, excesses and important sublimits in one comparison. A cheaper premium can represent a different transfer of risk rather than the same cover at a better price.
| Comparison item | Question to resolve |
|---|---|
| Project value and construction stages | Who insures the existing structure? |
| Existing structures and occupancy | When does the contractor’s responsibility end? |
| Materials in storage, transit and on site | Are stored and unfixed materials accepted? |
Request the proposed wording and schedule, not just a price or certificate. Mark any difference that affects a real activity before deciding whether the premium saving is worthwhile.
Prepare an accurate insurance enquiry
Give each adviser a consistent description of the activities being insured. Include important contracts, changes since the previous enquiry and matters the insurer asks you to disclose. Do not guess answers merely to obtain a faster or cheaper quote; ask for clarification when the proposal wording is unclear.
Identify the existing property and the new works
Prepare a project breakdown showing the renovation, existing structure, materials and equipment. Explain who owns or is responsible for each part and when that responsibility changes. Include storage away from the site and work near occupied areas where relevant to the project.
Compare an incident damaging new work with one affecting the existing building. Ask how the proposed arrangements address each and how completion or handover changes cover. Coordinate the enquiry with the property owner and contract requirements so each party understands which assets remain outside the quoted works section.
Include overseas work or sales in the UK business’s enquiry and confirm the accepted territories and jurisdictions.
A mistake to avoid
Treating renovation value as the replacement value of every property exposed during the job.
Check what happens after the policy starts
Ask who to contact when activities change or a potential claim arises. Understand the notification and consent process before arranging repairs, appointing specialists or settling a complaint. At renewal, compare the new documents with the accepted business description; continuity of a familiar brand does not prove continuity of every term.
Questions before choosing
Does public liability cover the works themselves?
It addresses a different exposure; ask how own-work damage and third-party claims are separated.
Does a renovation value automatically include the original building?
Ask expressly about existing structures and the relevant insurance arrangements. The value of the new work alone does not describe every asset exposed during renovation.
Sources and further reading
Research date: 6 October 2026. Refer to the current linked guidance and written provider or adviser terms when making a decision.