Why you need renovation insurance cover in 2026

Renovating your home presents an exciting opportunity to not just transforming a room or spaces, but also add value, while creating the dream property you’ve always wanted to live in (or sell on). And it may well be the case that you’ve decided 2026 is the year to make that home reno dream happen. But… alongside all the planning and design elements, one massive detail may get forgotten about: insurance coverage during renovation. To overlook this comes at your own peril. When major renovation works are in the offing, standard home insurance is unlikely to provide adequate protection. And failing to address this insurance gap could leave you financially exposed with a massive hole to fill (in both the literal and metaphorical sense).

Standard home insurance policies – filling the exposure gaps

The clearest reason for arranging specialist renovation cover is that the majority of home or property insurance policies won’t offer full cover during the renovation or conversion project – especially if structural changes are involved. Even when some of that standard home insurance cover remains, there are restrictions (some obvious, others more hidden) that could leave you vulnerable to unexpected costs; which is the last thing you need for your new year renovation project.

The unoccupancy clause risk – why an empty home could void your cover

An unoccupancy clause is a rule in many standard home or building insurance policies that limits or removes coverage if the property is left empty for a certain period – usually 30 consecutive days. If your home is vacant during renovation, this clause could invalidate your cover, leaving you without protection against risks like theft, fire, or water damage.

Why this may be a problem during renovation

• Major renovation projects often require the property to be empty for safety or logistical reasons
• If the unoccupancy period exceeds the limit in your policy, you may lose coverage entirely
• This means any damage or loss during that time could result in significant out-of-pocket cost

This is why, in the first instance, you need to review your current home insurance documents to see what cover you have. Then we recommend you confirm whether your insurer allows extensions or temporary adjustments for renovation periods. If not, this is the ideal time to speak to a specialist at Renovation Plan who can talk you through how a more tailored approach can cover your project for a longer unoccupied property period.

Why new fixtures and fittings on a building project could leave you uninsured

Standard home insurance policies typically excludes coverage for new fixtures, fittings, and structural additions that occur during renovation. These areas fall under the insurance term “Contract works” – the materials and labour involved in creating the new parts of your property. Without a dedicated renovation insurance policy, these elements remain uninsured, leaving you financially exposed if something goes wrong.

Three renovation insurance trends for 2026

While there are certainties and regular issues that you can mitigate for, there are a number of predicted changes that will make renovation insurance smarter, easier, and more bespoke for your projects.

• Smarter, sensor-driven underwriting will become the standard
• Look out for further embedded and parametric solutions that simplify and sometimes combine elements of renovation insurance
• With more homeowners taking on renovation projects, there’s an increasing market and robust demand for tailored cover

The key takeaway: Protect your home and new works

Renovation insurance is not just a nice-to-have – if you’re involved in a building project, it’s essential. This is the cover that ensures that both your existing property and the new works are protected throughout the project, giving you peace of mind while safeguarding your property.

Ready to renovate? Protect your project today with Renovation Plan

Before you start knocking down walls, installing a new kitchen, or extending into your attic space, speak to one of the specialist team at Renovation Plan on 01621 784840. We’re here to help you avoid all the pitfalls and headaches, ensuring that every project fix in ’26 is pain-free and successful.