This information is provided as a guide only, and if you have any concerns or questions, please give our expert team a ring on 0800 230 0225.
Given what a complex subject Self-Build insurance can be, we have provided two guides that we hope you’ll find useful:
The SelfBuild Insurance guide to a stress-free self-build. In this guide, we look at a typical self-build project from planning and dreaming right through to living in the property, and ways that you can make this journey a little bit less stressful.
The SelfBuild Insurance 5 minute guide to our products. In this guide, we set out in straightforward terms the policies that we offer, and how they are designed to protect self-builders and their projects.
Full details of our Terms & Conditions, Limits, Excesses and Policy Exclusions can be found in our Policy Wordings. SelfBuild Insurance doesn’t offer advice relating to insurance, and you need to ensure that insurance you choose meets your demands and needs.
Q. When does Site Liability cover start and finish?
Q. What does Site Liability insurance cover?
Q. Do I need insurance for land I own?
Q. What is a self-build plot?
Q. What’s the difference between “land” and a “self-build plot”?
Q. Do you need site insurance for a self-build?
Q. Do I need to insure my self-build plot?
Q. How much should I insure my site for?
Q. Who will my Site Liability insurer be?
Q. When does Site Liability cover start and finish?
A. Our Site Liability insurance is designed to cover self-build sites, from the point at which you own a plot of land and can demonstrate the intent to use it for a self-build project, up to the point immediately before work starts. Once any work starts (including but not limited to site clearance, demolition or construction) this policy no longer provides appropriate cover and you may wish to consider our Self-Build Insurance to cover the self-build project.
Q. What does Site Liability insurance cover?
A. The core cover includes Public Liability and Employers’ Liability insurance, as well as the option to include Legal Expenses cover.
Public Liability: Your liabilities should someone be killed or injured while on your self-build site.
Employers’ Liability: Your liabilities should someone you employ be killed or injured while working for you on your site.
Legal Expenses (Optional): Legal costs arising from contractual disputes between you and your contractor, utility companies, or the removal of squatters from site during the course of the build.
Q. Do I need insurance for land I own?
A. When owning a plot of land, whether or not you plan to build on it, there is the potential that you could be liable for a claim against you if someone is injured or killed while on your land. This includes people who are on your land without your knowledge or permission. As such, considering Public Liability insurance for land or a self-build plot (see below for the difference) makes practical sense.
We only offer insurance for self-build plots. Please see below for the difference between “land” and a “self-build plot”.
Q. What is a self-build plot?
A. In terms of our Self-Build insurance, a self-build plot is land that you have purchased, and where it can be demonstrated that there is a clear and demonstrable intent to use the land for the purposes of a self-build project.
This intent can be demonstrated through (a) plans being drawn up for construction that will take place on the land (b) an application for planning permission having been submitted that applies to this land; or (c) work taking place on this land. Our policies do not cover land that has been purchased and where this intent cannot be demonstrated. If you are unsure, please contact us on 0800 230 0225.
Q. What’s the difference between “land” and a “self-build plot”?
A. The difference between “land” and a “self-build plot” is based on whether or not it can be demonstrated that there‘s a clear intent to use the land for self-build purposes.
Land is an area that you’ve purchased, but where it cannot be adequately demonstrated that there’s intent to build on it.
A self-build plot is land that’s been purchased, and where it can be clearly demonstrated that there’s intent to use the land for a self-build project.
This intent can be demonstrated through (a) plans being drawn up for construction that will take place on the land; (b) a submitted application for planning permission that applies to the land; or (c) work taking place on the land. Our policies do not cover land that has been purchased and where this intent cannot be demonstrated. If you are unsure, please contact us on 0800 230 0225.
Q. Do you need site insurance for a self-build?
A. Self-builds are an amazing opportunity to create something completely unique, but they usually present a few challenges along the way. One of the most important things you need to consider is what sort of insurance you need, should something go wrong.
What is site insurance?
Site insurance is designed to protect self-builders from the moment work starts (or even before) until the build is complete. It protects you from unforeseen events that may cause damage, injury, or loss.
It is often included as part of a bundle of insurance products designed to cover different circumstances. You should check any site insurance policy to see exactly what it includes.
What does site insurance cover?
Site insurance should protect you against a range of incidents, including if someone is injured or killed on site. This could be a builder, visitor or even you or your family. It also includes people who are on-site without permission.
What period does site insurance cover?
This may depend on your circumstances. You can get cover to start as soon as you own the land or when you start work. Your insurance will cover you until the project is complete and can usually be extended if necessary.
What other insurance do I need?
You should also consider self-build insurance. This includes a cluster of insurance products that are suitable whether you are building by yourself or have employed contractors to do some or all the work for you.
What does self-build insurance include?
You can often configure self-build insurance, so it provides protection exactly the way you need it. The sorts of things you should check it covers include:
- public liability insurance
- employers’ liability insurance
- contractors all risk insurance
- insurance for your tools and any plant (either owned or hired)
- legal expenses
You should also consider buildings and contents insurance. However, a good self-build insurance package may include this, along with site insurance and a structural warranty.
If you are unsure as to what you need, you should talk to an insurance company familiar with self-builds to ensure you have cover that fully protects you.
Why do I need all this insurance?
There may be some circumstances in which you are legally obliged to have insurance cover, for example if you act as an employer in relation to anyone working on your site. This could include volunteers or sub-contractors.
Problems can occur on a self-build project and the resulting costs of damages, compensation and legal fees could be significant if you are at fault. If you can’t pay, your self-build and your assets may be at risk.
Q. Do I need to insure my self-build plot?
A. You’re only required by law to insure your self-build project if work has started and you’re directly employing people. For further information, see What is Employers’ Liability insurance? on our What is insurance for self-builders? FAQ.
By owning land, whether or not you plan to build on it, there is the potential that you could be liable for a claim against you if someone is injured or killed while on your land. This includes people who are on your land without your knowledge or permission. As such, considering Public Liability insurance for land or a self-build plot makes practical sense, and you should consider carefully the impact of a claim against you if you are not adequately insured.
Q. How much should I insure my site for?
A. On our Site Liability policy, we ask for your Estimated Rebuild Value. This is the amount that you expect to spend on the construction of the property, including both materials and labour – including VAT as appropriate. Our Site Liability policy covers a rebuild value up to £300,000 and includes £5M of Public Liability cover, and £10M of Employers’ Liability cover.
Q. Who will my Site Liability insurer be?
A. Our Site Liability insurance policy is provided and underwritten by Zurich Ltd.
We believe that partnering with an insurer as recognised and trusted as Zurich Ltd means that you can be confident that in the event of a claim, you won’t be left worrying about whether the insurer is reliable. This Zurich Ltd backed product is exclusive to SelfBuild Insurance, and cannot be bought elsewhere.
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