Cob and Traditional Construction Insurance
Cob and Traditional Construction Insurance is a specialist insurance solution designed for owners of properties built using traditional construction methods and materials, including cob, earth, stone, lime mortar, timber framing, wattle and daub, and other historic or non-standard building techniques.
Traditional properties can have different construction characteristics and maintenance requirements from modern brick-and-block buildings. Their age, materials, location, structural design and specialist repair requirements can all affect how the property is assessed for insurance.
Whether you own a traditional cottage, historic farmhouse, cob house, period property, listed building, converted rural property or another non-standard construction property, specialist insurance can help provide appropriate protection for the building and the risks associated with owning it.
At WS Insurance, we can help property owners explore insurance options for traditional and non-standard construction properties, with cover tailored to the characteristics, use and circumstances of the building.
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INTRODUCTION
What is Cob and Traditional Construction Insurance?
Cob and Traditional Construction Insurance is designed for buildings that use traditional, historic or non-standard construction methods and materials that may not fit the criteria of a standard modern property insurance policy.
Cob is a traditional building material made primarily from earth, clay, sand and other natural materials. Cob buildings are particularly associated with parts of the South West of England, although traditional construction properties can be found throughout the UK.
Other properties may incorporate stone walls, lime mortar, timber frames, wattle and daub, traditional roofing materials or a combination of historic construction techniques.
These properties can require specialist knowledge when assessing their construction, maintenance, repair and potential rebuilding requirements. Standard insurance may not always be appropriate where a building has unusual construction, historic materials, listed status or specialist repair requirements.
Cob and traditional construction insurance may be suitable for:
- Cob houses and cottages
- Cob cottages
- Traditional stone properties
- Historic cottages
- Period properties
- Timber-frame buildings
- Wattle and daub properties
- Lime-built properties
- Traditional farmhouses
- Historic rural properties
- Listed traditional buildings
- Grade II listed properties
- Converted traditional buildings
- Barn conversions with traditional construction
- Traditional rental properties
- Holiday-let properties with non-standard construction
- Traditional apartment or residential developments
- Mixed-use traditional properties
- Properties with traditional outbuildings
- Portfolios of traditional properties
The suitability of cover will depend on the individual property, its construction, use, condition, location and the insurer’s underwriting criteria.
COVERAGE
What Does Cob and Traditional Construction Insurance Cover?
A specialist policy can provide protection for the building and associated property-owner risks. Depending on the insurer and policy selected, cover may include:
All cover is subject to the insurer’s terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, excesses, and underwriting criteria.
Who Needs This
Who Needs Cob and Traditional Construction Insurance?
This type of specialist property insurance may be suitable for owners of properties where traditional construction or historic materials make standard property insurance unsuitable or less appropriate.
It may be relevant to:
Why Is Cob and Traditional Construction Insurance Important?
Traditional buildings can have characteristics that make them different from standard modern properties.
The materials used, age of the building, construction techniques, previous alterations and specialist repair requirements can all affect the cost and complexity of repairing or rebuilding the property following an insured event.
- Specialist Building Protection
- Accurate Rebuild Valuation
- Traditional and Specialist Materials
- Listed Buildings
- Property Owners’ Liability
- Loss of Rental Income
- Traditional Outbuildings
- Rural Locations
- Renovation and Alterations
- Multiple Traditional Properties
Traditional Construction Property
The exact construction of the building is one of the most important considerations when arranging cover.
Information such as wall construction, roofing materials, timber framing, use of lime mortar, cob construction, previous alterations and the age of the property can help insurers assess the risk.
Cob Construction
Cob buildings require particular consideration because their construction differs from conventional modern buildings.
Factors such as the condition of the cob walls, roof design, damp management, drainage, previous repairs and materials used in alterations may all be relevant to underwriting.
Stone and Lime Construction
Traditional stone properties may use lime mortar rather than modern cement-based mortar.
The type of stone, wall construction, age and repair history can all be relevant when assessing the property and its potential repair costs.
Stone and Lime Construction
Traditional stone properties may use lime mortar rather than modern cement-based mortar.
The type of stone, wall construction, age and repair history can all be relevant when assessing the property and its potential repair costs.
Timber-Frame and Wattle and Daub Properties
Historic timber-frame buildings and properties incorporating wattle and daub can have specialist construction characteristics.
The condition of exposed timber, infill materials, roof structure, previous alterations and fire protection may be considered by insurers.
Listed and Historic Properties
Listed properties can involve additional requirements when carrying out alterations or repairs.
Owners should ensure that the listed status and any relevant restrictions are disclosed when arranging insurance.
Thatch and Traditional Roofing
Some traditional properties have thatched or other specialist roofing.
Where applicable, the roof construction, age, material, maintenance and fire protection measures may affect underwriting and policy terms.
Traditional Heating and Services
Older properties may have unusual heating, electrical, plumbing or fuel arrangements.
Oil heating, LPG, solid-fuel appliances, older electrical systems, private water supplies and private drainage can all be relevant depending on the property.
Flood and Water Damage
Traditional materials can require particular consideration following water damage.
The property’s flood exposure, drainage, roof condition, gutters, downpipes and previous water damage may therefore be important when assessing the risk.
Vacant Traditional Properties
Unoccupied traditional buildings can present additional risks, including escape of water, malicious damage, theft and deterioration.
If the property is vacant or will be unoccupied for an extended period, this should be disclosed to the insurer. Unoccupied property may require specialist terms or a dedicated unoccupied property policy.
Renovation and Refurbishment
Properties undergoing significant refurbishment may need specialist insurance arrangements.
Structural works, roof replacement, alterations to traditional walls, electrical upgrades and other major works can change the risk profile of the building.
Multiple Properties and Portfolios
If you own several traditional properties, we can help you explore options for insuring multiple buildings under a suitable portfolio arrangement, where available.
ADDITIONAL INSURANCE OPTIONS
Depending on the property and circumstances, additional insurance sections may include:
- Terrorism Insurance
- Legal Expenses Insurance
- Engineering Inspection
- Equipment Breakdown
- Alternative Accommodation
- Loss of Rent
- Accidental Damage
- Glass Insurance
- Subsidence Cover
- Landlord-Owned Contents
- Employers’ Liability where applicable
- Directors’ and Officers’ Liability where relevant
- Professional Indemnity where applicable
- Public Liability for organisations operating from the property
- Contractors’ or Renovation Insurance for substantial building works
The availability of these options will depend on the insurer, property type, use and underwriting requirements.
What Affects the Cost of Cob and Traditional Construction Insurance?
The cost of insurance can vary significantly between traditional properties because each building can have different construction characteristics and risks.
Insurers may consider:
- Property location
- Rebuild value
- Property size
- Number of bedrooms or units
- Age of the building
- Cob, stone, brick, timber or other construction
- Type and condition of mortar
- Roofing materials
- Thatched roofing where applicable
- Listed status
- Grade of listing
- Previous alterations
- Structural condition
- Previous claims
- Occupancy
- Residential or commercial use
- Rental or holiday-let use
- Number of occupants
- Outbuildings
- Garages, barns and stables
- Private access
- Private water supply
- Private drainage or septic systems
- Oil or LPG heating
- Solid-fuel appliances
- Electrical and heating systems
- Flood exposure
- Subsidence risk
- Security arrangements
- Fire protection
- Property management and maintenance
- Current renovation or refurbishment
- Periods of vacancy
- Communal areas
- Mixed-use occupation
- Required cover limits
- Policy excesses
Providing accurate information about the building and its construction can help insurers assess the property appropriately.
HOW WE ARE DIFFERENT
Why Choose WS Insurance?
At WS Insurance, we understand that traditional and non-standard properties cannot always be assessed in the same way as modern buildings.
We can help property owners explore suitable insurance solutions based on the property’s construction, use, location and individual circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is specialist property insurance designed for buildings constructed using cob, stone, timber, lime mortar, wattle and daub or other traditional and non-standard construction methods.
Yes, cob houses can be insurable, although the construction, condition, location, use and other characteristics of the property will need to be considered by the insurer.
Cob is generally considered a non-standard or specialist form of construction compared with modern brick-and-block buildings. Specialist underwriting may therefore be appropriate.
Listed cob properties can potentially be insured. The property’s listed status should be disclosed, and the insurer may require additional information about construction, condition and rebuilding requirements.
Cover for repairs following an insured event depends on the policy wording and the insurer’s approach to claims. The property’s declared construction and rebuild value should accurately reflect the specialist nature of the building.
It can. Traditional stone cottages and other stone-built properties may be suitable for specialist insurance depending on their construction, age, condition and use.
Yes, traditional rental properties can potentially be insured under suitable property-owner or landlord insurance arrangements.
Traditional cottages and other non-standard properties used as holiday lets may be suitable for specialist holiday-let property insurance, subject to the property’s use and insurer criteria.
Outbuildings such as barns, garages, stables, workshops and stores may be included where declared and accepted by the insurer. They should not be assumed to be automatically covered.
Vacant properties can present additional risks and may require specialist unoccupied property insurance or specific conditions under the policy. Always inform the insurer if the property becomes unoccupied.
Possibly, although substantial renovation or structural work may require specialist renovation or contract works insurance rather than standard property insurance.
Generally, property-owner insurance does not automatically cover tenants’ personal belongings. Tenants may need to arrange their own contents insurance.
Property Owners’ Liability cover may be included or available as part of the policy, subject to the policy terms, conditions and limits.
Portfolio insurance may be available for owners with multiple traditional or non-standard properties, subject to the insurer’s criteria.
Subsidence cover may be available, although the property’s history, construction, ground conditions and previous movement can affect whether cover is available and on what terms.
Flood cover may be available depending on the property’s location, flood risk and insurer appetite. Properties in higher-risk areas may require additional underwriting consideration.
Terrorism cover may be available as an optional or separate section depending on the property, location and insurer.
The rebuild value should reflect the estimated cost of reconstructing the building following a major insured loss, rather than its market value. Traditional materials, specialist labour, access, professional fees and other relevant rebuilding costs may need to be considered.
There is no standard price because premiums depend on the property’s location, construction, rebuild value, occupancy, use, claims history, condition and other risk factors.
Get Your Property Insurance Quote
Whether you own a cob cottage, traditional stone house, historic farmhouse, listed property, timber-frame building, traditional rental property, holiday let or a portfolio of non-standard properties, WS Insurance can help you explore suitable insurance options.
Get in touch with our team to discuss your property and find out what cover may be available.