IT COULD BE A BUMPER YEAR FOR DIY BUT WILL YOUR CUSTOMERS HOME INSURANCE COVER THEM?

According to the DIY week survey, 61% of respondents don’t want to move home.¹ It is easy to understand why the pandemic has curbed the desire to view properties from a safety perspective, but it has also generated a sense of uncertainty regarding future economic prospects of moving home.

In spite of this, 2021 is already looking to be a great year for DIY with more than half of the respondents of the survey, saying that they will be making home improvements with an average spend of £6500 per household.

Making home improvements is not only good for your customers mental health, but depending on the home improvements they make, it can also add value to their home.

Whilst changing the furniture and painting the odd wall might not be regarded as a moment for your customers to reflect on their home insurance, it is worth considering how your customers insurer would respond if there were a greater proportion of claims from ‘accidents at home’ as a result of DIY.

Most small DIY jobs such as replacing carpets, painting internally or putting up shelving would not require them to advise their financial adviser or insurer.

However, for more serious jobs such as structural work or loft conversions, (whether they do this themselves or have help), it is always a good idea for customers to engage with their insurer before starting work, as it could breach the terms of their policy.

Lastly, your customers need to consider security. Will their home be more vulnerable to theft because building work has decreased the security in and around the property?

Encourage your customers to talk to you or their insurer directly. They can clarify the terms of their policy and save money too. The price of a phone call is worth receiving peace of mind.

¹ - Half of Brits set to spend £47 billion on home improvements in 2021 (diyweek.net)