DIY - Does Your Home Insurance Cover Your Work?

Before spending your entire holiday time off doing renovations to your home by yourself, first check with your insurance company about coverage concerning accidental damage. If the insurance company does, the next step is to make sure it is enough coverage in case an emergency occurs in the middle of your home renovation project.

The busiest time insurance companies have reported getting DIY claims from homeowners is over the Easter break, holiday breaks, and the spring season. The insurance companies warn people they need to double check the amount of coverage before attempting any home improvements. They have averaged one out of every nine claims are related to do it yourself home improvements. Many of the claims occur because of inadequate tools and the usage of them, as well as insufficient preparation for the attempted project. Even painting the interior of the home can get messed up and homeowners will make a claim! The average claim is around £350.

Even if professionals are brought in to do the job, the homeowner should still check the amount of coverage on their insurance. Professionals are also known for making mistakes and causing damages, and should be checked out by the homeowner before getting into any contract with a contractor. The UK pays £1.5 billion annually for receiving over 100,000 complaints about professional contractors.

In the next few years, homeowners need to check their insurance policies and some homeowners need to make sure they have insurance before attempting to make home improvements. The UK is foreseeing a huge jump in DIY improvements and accidental insurance claims. Not having the proper coverage can leave many people unhappy.

To avoid insurance claims, below are a few suggestions to homeowners planning DIY improvements.

• If you don’t know how to use a machine or tool, ask for help. Many home improvement stores offer free classes or will take the time to give a crash course. Don’t assume you know how to use it, ask when possible.
• Always have the proper dress when working. For example, if you are putting new sheet rock up, have protective goggles and a face mask while working to protect you.
• Don’t assume you are Handy Andy, be realistic about the repairs you can do. Painting is not too difficult but when you decide to do electrical work, the laws have become very strict. Bad wiring can cause an electrical fire, unless you are an electrician, leave it to the professionals.
• Don’t expect to get all your projects done in one weekend. Make a schedule and set realistic goals for completing. Rushing causes accident claims.
• If you decide to be an electrician, remember to shut off the main source of power before attempting any electrical work. Also, no water should be anywhere near the work being done.

The main and number one suggestion to homeowners planning DIY improvements is check your homeowners insurance and make sure the accidental coverage covers the work. Ask questions to your insurance company and home improvement stores before attempting any renovations.