Is damage sustained during a renovation covered?

Do it yourself or hire someone?

If damage occurs during a renovation, the insurer can seek compensation from the person who carried out the renovation. Are you having the renovation done by a contractor? In that case, the contractor may be held liable for the damage. If so, file a claim with the insurer. The insurer will then handle the recovery process. Are you doing the renovation yourself? In that case, the insurer may deny the claim if they can prove that the damage was caused by the renovation.

Comprehensive Homeowners Insurance

These days, many people opt for comprehensive home insurance. With comprehensive home insurance, you’re covered for fire damage, burglary, and vandalism; damage caused by severe weather, such as storms, lightning, and hail; and damage resulting from sudden, unforeseen events.

The policy terms and conditions list a number of exclusions from coverage. If the damage is not excluded, it is therefore covered under the building insurance. Damage caused by your own mistake during the renovation is therefore covered.

When is coverage not provided?

There are a number of situations in which you have no coverage or only limited coverage. For example, this is the case when:

• Your home is unoccupied during the renovation
• Your home is not wind- and watertight, for example, because it is missing roofs, walls, windows, or doors
• If you do not notify your insurer of the renovation within 30 days and you suffer damage after the renovation is complete

In the first two situations, you are only covered for damage caused by fire, explosion, lightning, storm, and hail. Damage caused by burglary, theft, and vandalism is only covered if there are visible signs of forced entry on the property.

How is the house insured during the renovation?

When issuing a policy, the insurer does not assume that you live on a construction site. Extensive home renovations involve additional risks. That is also why damage that occurs during renovations is not covered under building insurance. For example, water damage in an addition that is not yet watertight is not covered.

Be able to provide an invoice in the event of a claim

In the case of an addition, if damage occurs, the insurer will investigate whether it is actually covered under the building insurance policy. If the addition was recently built, the insurer will want more information. This is because if it turns out that the damage was caused by improper installation or finishing, the insurer will seek to recover the costs from the builder of the addition. Did you build it yourself? In that case, the insurer may deny the claim if they can demonstrate that the damage resulted from the renovation. However, there are still ways to insure against this type of damage.

Holding the Contractor Liable for Damages

Are you having your home renovated by a contractor? If so, you can hold the contractor liable for any damage. Your home contents or property insurance may cover the damage. In that case, file a claim with your insurer. The insurer will then handle the recovery process.

Does home insurance cover damage caused by doing DIY projects?

Take out home insurance through Alpina

Haven’t taken out home insurance for your (new) home yet? Do it right away at Alpina.nl! By comparing home insurance policies, you can easily find out which one best suits your needs. Don’t just look at the price—consider the coverage as well. The policy terms and conditions will tell you how you’re covered by that insurer during a renovation.