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If you own an unconventional property, you know that standard home insurance companies often can't provide the coverage you need.
Some non-standard home insurance companies cater to these unique properties, offering tailored policies to fit their specific needs.
For example, properties with high-value items or art collections may require specialized coverage.
Companies like Lloyd's of London and Hiscox offer high-value item coverage, which can be added to a standard policy.
These companies understand that unconventional properties require more than just standard coverage.
They often have more flexible policy terms and conditions, making it easier to find a policy that suits your needs.
Types of Properties
Non-standard home insurance companies can cover a wide range of properties, including those with unique characteristics or challenges.
Banquet halls, bars, and taverns are just a few examples of commercial properties that may require non-standard insurance coverage.
Commercial buildings with high-risk tenants, such as those in the cannabis industry, also fall under this category.
The following types of properties are often difficult to insure and may require non-standard home insurance:
- Commercial and residential properties with construction, occupancy, protection, and/or exposure issues (i.e. COPE issues)
- Difficult to insure locations and properties
- Older buildings, including heritage buildings
- Vacant buildings and property, both residential and commercial
- Properties in remote areas
- Properties undergoing renovations
- Shared accommodation properties, such as student housing and rooming/boarding houses
- Short term rentals, like those found on Airbnb
- Unprotected Properties
Property Types
Non-standard property insurance can cover a wide range of property types, including banquet halls, bars and taverns, and commercial buildings with high-risk tenants.
Some specific examples of properties that may be eligible for non-standard property insurance include:
- Commercial and residential properties with construction, occupancy, protection, and/or exposure issues (COPE issues)
- Properties in remote areas
- Properties undergoing renovations
- Unprotected properties
- Vacant buildings and property, both residential and commercial
This type of insurance can also cover properties with unique features, such as older buildings, including heritage buildings, and properties with no previous insurance in Canada, gaps in coverage, or multiple or non-standard mortgages.
Here are some examples of property types that may be eligible for non-standard property insurance:
It's worth noting that non-standard property insurance can also cover properties that are owner-occupied, including rented and seasonal dwellings, as well as shared accommodation properties, such as student housing, rooming/boarding houses, and short-term rentals, like Airbnb.
Types of
There are several types of properties, each with its own unique characteristics.
Residential properties are the most common type, making up about 80% of all properties. They can be further divided into single-family homes, multi-unit buildings, and condominiums.
Commercial properties, on the other hand, are used for business purposes and can include office buildings, retail stores, and restaurants.
Industrial properties are used for manufacturing and production, and can include warehouses, factories, and distribution centers.
Agricultural properties are used for farming and ranching, and can include land for crops, livestock, and other agricultural purposes.
Vacant land properties are undeveloped land that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as building a new home or business.
What Can Be Covered by a Property Policy?
Non-standard property insurance policies can provide a wide range of coverage options to protect your property and assets. This type of policy can cover general and premises liability, which means you're protected in case someone gets injured on your property.
A non-standard property insurance policy can also cover perils such as fires, flooding, sewage backups, earthquakes, water damage, windstorms, theft, and vandalism. These types of risks can be devastating to your property and finances.
For owners of residential properties, a non-standard property insurance policy can cover the structure of the home, including repair or replacement costs. This also extends to the contents inside, such as furniture, appliances, electronics, clothes, and other personal property.
Commercial property owners can also benefit from a non-standard property insurance policy, which can cover repair or replacement of buildings and structures, office equipment, machinery, equipment and tools, employee property, office supplies, furniture, and more.
Here's a breakdown of some of the specific coverage options available for non-standard property insurance policies:
It's worth noting that non-standard property insurance policies can also include equipment breakdown insurance, which can protect you from losses caused by a breakdown of equipment and the costs to repair and/or replace machinery and equipment.
Specialist Cover
Specialist cover is designed to protect non-standard homes and their unique features. These policies can cover properties with unusual construction materials, listed buildings, and previous subsidence.
Intelligent Insurance provides specialist home insurance policies tailored to fit your circumstances, with an immediate online quote in most cases.
Non-standard home insurance policies are required for houses that aren't built in the usual way, such as those with materials other than brick or tile. These policies are also necessary for homes built in locations that are considered to be a higher risk, such as known-flood risk areas.
A non-standard policy will cover properties that were built using unusual materials or old-fashioned construction methods. Any home that's not built from brick or stone with a slate or tile roof will likely fall into this category.
Here are some reasons why non-standard homes require specialist insurance:
- Replacing and repairing parts of your home is going to be more expensive than when using standard materials
- Non-standard materials are more likely to need ongoing maintenance
- Building materials might be harder to find or may be vulnerable to further damage
- In a lot of cases, repairs will require a specialist tradesperson
- Rebuild and repair processes can take longer which will increase the cost of labour
Some non-standard home insurers may offer tailored policies, considering the distinctive features and requirements of non-standard homes, potentially resulting in more competitive rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does non-standard home insurance mean?
Non-standard home insurance is for homeowners who can't get a standard policy due to unique circumstances or risks. It's an alternative option for those who don't qualify for traditional homeowners insurance.
Is Progressive a non standard insurance company?
Progressive started as a specialty underwriter of nonstandard insurance, but it's not exclusively a nonstandard insurance company today. While its roots are in nonstandard insurance, Progressive now offers a wide range of insurance products.
Sources
- https://www.alignedinsurance.com/non-standard-property-insurance/
- https://www.intelligentinsurance.co.uk/non-standard-home-insurance/
- https://www.netquote.com/home-insurance/insuring-non-traditional-home
- https://www.flintinsurance.co.uk/personal-insurance/non-standard-home-insurance/
- https://cosmic.compare/non-standard-home-insurance/
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