'Inform insurers' prior to home enhancements

15:06:20 5th June 2008

Homeowners planning to enhance their property - potentially through the installation of a bespoke conservatory - should make their home insurance provider aware of the situation before doing so, according to Endsleigh.

Rhiannon Harris, a spokesperson for the independent intermediary, explains that this will allow their provider to check that their home insurance policy will cover the work being done.

She states that the insurer "must be advised of any alteration of the risk, so this will include any DIY projects, in order that [they] may consider the continuation of cover in general".

Her comments follow the publication of research by Halifax Home Insurance last month, which suggested that more than seven million British households are currently living with what has been termed as a "never-ending renovation drama".

The provider stated that employing a professional to carry out home enhancements is vital to avoid the risk of invalidating an insurance policy.