Some people just arent description owning a home that fails to stand out and which doesnt offer that little something extra that makes it a truly unique place to live in. For some people, this means living in a barn that has been converted into a home. Such homes not only offer access to the countryside and a breath of fresh air, but they also allow homeowners to feel as though every day is being spent somewhere between rustic simplicity and lavish originality. While a barn conversion is a dream for many homeowners, those who are lucky enough to own one of these properties will quickly find out that building insurance can turn out to be a bit of a hassle. Nonetheless, plenty of options exist for converted barn owners so long as they know what to look for. This article will look at what building insurance for barn conversions entails, as well as what important factors homeowners should consider when looking at such insurance policies.
Who will insure a barn conversion?
The first thing to consider is that it is very unlikely that a traditional insurance provider will be willing to insure a barn conversion. While it is possible that some insurers may provide coverage if the home has already been bought converted, if it is a self-build conversion then it is almost impossible to find a traditional insurer for such a property. In this case, homeowners will have to turn to a specialist insurer, which is a company experienced in insuring properties that fall out of the mainstream, such as listed buildings, thatched cottages, and, of course, barn conversions. Fortunately, for homeowners a barn conversion is one of the simpler properties these specialist firms cover, therefore plenty of options exist.
How barn conversion insurance is calculated
Because each barn conversion is fundamentally unique, it is impossible to give a general picture of how much coverage people can expect from a policy or how much they will pay in premiums. A specialist provider will base the coverage and premiums on a number of factors, including whether the property was bought as a home or whether it has recently been converted. Barns were not designed for human habitation; therefore they will have needed considerable work to make them liveable. The building process involved in this conversion will have an effect on a homeowners premiums, as will the quality of the materials used. Whether the barn uses wood burners is also another common issue affecting premiums. Also, the type of roof the barn has installed, whether it is thatched, sloping, or flat, could make a significant difference with an individuals policy. As with any house, security is a prime concern and an insurer would want to see that a house is properly secured with adequate locks and even a home alarm system. Finally, because tree roots are the main cause of insurance claims for barn conversions, any large trees near the property will have to be reported to the provider.
What will it cover?
Barn conversion insurance will usually cover everything a normal home insurance policy would cover. Other items that may fall under a persons insurance policy, however, could include alternative accommodation if the barn is still being converted into a house, as well as extra protection from natural disasters, such as wind and floods, that a rural area is particularly prone to. Additionally, as with regular home insurance, barn conversion owners can usually combine their buildings and descriptions insurance into one policy, which should help reduce premiums. Because barn conversions are unique, it is important to carefully consult with an insurance broker to make sure that everything a homeowner needs insured on the property is included in the policy.
While barn conversion owners may dread the thought of searching for building insurance on their unique property, the task of finding such insurance is not as difficult as many people suppose it to be. In the world of specialized insurance, a barn conversion is actually one of the easier properties to cover. An agent will work with the homeowner of such a property in order to make sure that the property gets an insurance policy personally tailored to its specific needs. While such policies will cost most than traditional policies, they are still good value for money for almost all homeowners who need them.
Author Sam Jones often refers people interested in specialist building insurance to http://www.uswitch.com/home-insurance/building-and-descriptions-insurance/ where every type of specialist home insurance is covered
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