DIY planners 'should notify their home insurer'
Date: 05/06/2008 12:00:00
Homeowners planning big DIY projects should inform their house insurer and check their policy covers
the work being done, one firm has said.
Endsleigh Insurance warned companies may not pay for loss or damage arising from factors such as faulty
design or workmanship.
Figures published by home insurer Zurich in April found that homeowners are spending a total of £1.5
billion a year to fix botched DIY jobs.
Endsleigh spokesman Rhiannon Harris said: "We must be advised of any alteration of the risk, so this
will include any DIY projects, in order that we may consider the continuation of cover in general."
She added damage incurred by incorrect use of equipment contrary to the manufacturer's instructions would
not be covered.
Fellow insurer Hailfax has also said householders taking on sizeable DIY and renovation projects risk
invalidating their
home insurance
policies if they take on complex work they are not trained to complete.
The firm also found more than seven million UK homes are living with a Never Ending Renovation Drama, dubbed 'NERDS'.