Frequently Asked Questions Why should I choose Self-Build Zone over another provider? Self-Build Zone offers the most comprehensive cover available in the market. This means that you are covered for a wider range of perils than anywhere else. We are also one of the cheapest. However, you should always find out what you are covered for before incepting a policy, as the cheapest policy is not always suitable for your project. Who underwrites the policy? The 18 Month Site Insurance (only) policy is underwritten by Catlin Insurance Company Limited. They have a financial strength rating of A (Excellent) by A.M.Best (the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source). The 24 Month Site Insurance combined with 10 Year Structural Warranty is underwritten by Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Underwriting at Lloyd's Ltd (A+ rated on A.M.Best). The legal aspect of both 18 and 24 Month Site Insurance is underwritten by UK Underwriting Limited. What do I do in the event of a claim? If you feel you might need to make a claim please phone our advisors on 0845 230 9874. There are no claim forms to complete and we operate a 24-hour service number for genuine emergencies. Please see your policy document for excesses. If you are unsure whether you need to make a claim, please call and you will be advised accordingly. A record is kept of all dates and times of calls so your claim can be fairly assessed as quickly as possible. I am using one main contractor from the beginning of the project right until the end; do I need site insurance? As soon as you purchase your plot of land you are responsible for the wellbeing of anyone that goes on it. The implications of this is that if, for example, a child enters your site without your permission and breaks their leg, or worse, you could be liable. You should always check with any contractor whether they are holding their own insurance and what it covers them for. You might find something excluded, for example the theft of your own tools and equipment from the site. Are there any security measures I need to implement in order to be covered under your policy? No there aren’t any additional steps that are required in order to be covered under our Site Insurance policy. However, it is important that you follow Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 1996. It is in your interest to protect your site, materials and tools from theft and therefore it is up to you if they are locked up. If you purchase the Self-Build Zone policy you will receive a comprehensive Health and Safety Guide (free) which will advise you of the measures that can be taken to reduce or prevent trespassing and accident on your site. I am doing a lot of the work myself but I am not a qualified builder or NHBC registered: can I still be covered under your policy? Yes. There are no qualifications required to be involved with a Self-Build Zone project. Is site insurance the same as a 10 Year Structural Warranty? Site Insurance and a 10 Year Structural Warranty are entirely different forms of insurance. Site insurance protects you during the build process and a 10 Year Structural Warranty starts from the date the build is completed. For more information please contact our sales team on 0845 230 9874. What is covered on the existing structure element of the policy? It is very important that you protect the existing structure of any conversion, renovation or extension. Often a substantial amount of the build is existing structure and it is important that it is protected from similar perils to the new works. Occasionally you are able to purchase Aircraft, Fire and Explosion Cover only for existing structures but in most cases this is not adequate. The Self-Build Zone policy provides Consequential Damage Cover for all existing structures. This means that you are covered if the existing structure is damaged by new works. Who is / can be covered under the policy? Your immediate family is covered automatically under our site insurance policy. You can add additional family or friends at no extra cost. There is no need to list all the contractors who will be working on the site as they will be covered under Employers Liability. Is site insurance a legal requirement? It is not a legal requirement to have site insurance but you must by law have £10 million employers liability cover, as you will be employing contractors to work on your site. This is included within our policy. It is always advisable to think about the worst thing that could happen during the build and think about the financial implications that it would have. For example, without insurance, if your new house burnt down a week before you move in, who is going to pay to rebuild it? Do you cover new builds, conversions, renovations and extensions? Yes, we are able to cover almost any type of building including green oak, straw bale and chapel conversions, barns, new builds, extensions and renovations.