Re-roofing/renovations and insurance

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Re-roofing/renovations and insurance - what’s the deal?

Aucklandjafa

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#305856 8-Jun-2023 13:28

Gidday,

So I’m re-roofing my house and I’m seeing if anyone has experience in this field.

The roofing company has indemnity insurance, but my insurance co is trying to sell me a 3 week ‘renovation insurance’ policy, stinging me 350 bucks.

What have you guys done? Is it a have, or just good to have on the safe side?

Much appreciated

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Mad Scientist
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#3086550 8-Jun-2023 13:29

Dose insurance say what the extra policy covers?

wellygary

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#3086554 8-Jun-2023 13:37

"The roofing company has indemnity insurance"

What does this specifically cover, ?

You will find that your regular insurance (prob both home and contents policies) wont include cover for any claims arising from the renovation work, So if you're happy with the cover the roofers have , then fine,

But, I'd want to know that you had cover for water damage including contents esp when reroofing and this year in particular

Handsomedan

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#3086556 8-Jun-2023 13:39

We had the gutters replaced, which included exposing sections of the house to the elements for a couple of weeks, but never even considered additional insurance.

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Aucklandjafa

395 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3086557 8-Jun-2023 13:40

wellygary:
"The roofing company has indemnity insurance"

What does this specifically cover, ?

You will find that your regular insurance (prob both home and contents policies) wont include cover for any claims arising from the renovation work, So if you're happy with the cover the roofers have , then fine,

But, I'd want to know that you had cover for water damage including contents esp when reroofing and this year in particular

Yeah, fair. Better to be over insured, than not!

Aucklandjafa

395 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3086562 8-Jun-2023 13:58

Batman: Dose insurance say what the extra policy covers?

Yeah, covers flood damage, etc, if it were to hose down when the house was exposed. I may add that it would only be covered if the roofers took the correct precautions with using tarps etc.
Standard house insurance won’t cover it.

Cheers

itxtme

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#3086598 8-Jun-2023 15:19

Its called Contract Works insurance. Most banks would require it as part of loaning on a renovation project. You will likely find you are not insured for loss during renovation on standard insurance cover. Them having insurance will not help you if their insurance company wiggles out. Their insurance is for them, to protect their business.

Wheelbarrow01

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#3086730 8-Jun-2023 20:38

itxtme:

Its called Contract Works insurance. Most banks would require it as part of loaning on a renovation project. You will likely find you are not insured for loss during renovation on standard insurance cover. Them having insurance will not help you if their insurance company wiggles out. Their insurance is for them, to protect their business.

Yea what he said - the contractor's indemnity insurance is for their benefit, not yours. I probably loathe insurance companies as much as the next guy but given a false move by the contractor or an unexpected freak weather event has the potential to destroy everything in your house in this instance, $350 is a small price to pay for some peace of mind. Not only that, but should the worst happen, your works insurer will do all the legwork rather than you having to deal with either the contractor or their insurer directly.

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froob

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#3088075 9-Jun-2023 22:54

itxtme:
Its called Contract Works insurance. Most banks would require it as part of loaning on a renovation project. You will likely find you are not insured for loss during renovation on standard insurance cover. Them having insurance will not help you if their insurance company wiggles out. Their insurance is for them, to protect their business.

That's right - there's often an exclusion in house insurance policies for damage resulting from structural alterations, or from removing the roof or cladding. Contract works cover will usually plug that gap. Sounds like you're already talking to your insurer - they'll be able to point you towards what's not covered under your policy.

Here's an example of the clause in one of AMI's policies - see on page 13: https://www.ami.co.nz/PDFs/AMI_premier-house-PW.pdf

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Stu1

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#3088156 10-Jun-2023 08:10

the other gotcha is that not all insurance companies sell contract works insurance and if they do you have to also have your house insurance with the same company. Also pay a little more to add some fat to the project timelines, there is still supply issues with some roofing materials. If you need asbestos removal that’s another complex arrangement. A good example was our roofer did a job where decramastic tiles had to be removed, the abestos removal company removed the roof a day before bad weather came in. They covered the roof poorly. The house got soaked they took no responsibility so the customer blamed the roofer. The roofer will no longer touch asbestos jobs as there was no accountability from the asbestos removal company.

richms

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#3088176 10-Jun-2023 11:39

I was told I had to have a 60k tent over the house to get an asbestos fake tile removal and reroof done. Is that not the case?

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blackjack17

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#3363966 14-Apr-2025 15:11

Aucklandjafa: Gidday,

So I’m re-roofing my house and I’m seeing if anyone has experience in this field.

The roofing company has indemnity insurance, but my insurance co is trying to sell me a 3 week ‘renovation insurance’ policy, stinging me 350 bucks.

What have you guys done? Is it a have, or just good to have on the safe side?

Much appreciated

Where did you get a quote for $350?

We are being quoted $1300!

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Stu1

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#3363974 14-Apr-2025 15:18

blackjack17:

Aucklandjafa: Gidday,

So I’m re-roofing my house and I’m seeing if anyone has experience in this field.

The roofing company has indemnity insurance, but my insurance co is trying to sell me a 3 week ‘renovation insurance’ policy, stinging me 350 bucks.

What have you guys done? Is it a have, or just good to have on the safe side?

Much appreciated

Where did you get a quote for $350?

We are being quoted $1300!