Covid-induced corner cutting risks invalidating insurance of millions of movers and improvers

Gas safety campaigners are warning that a boom in home moving and improving, combined with a pandemic-squeeze on people’s finances and a lack of understanding about insurance policies, risks jeopardising health and wealth in 2021.

With many entering 2021 suffering from the negative economic impacts of the Covid-19, pandemic, cutting costs this Winter is a priority.

New research from the Gas Safe Register - the UK’s official registration body for gas engineers and gas businesses - shows that just under half of householders (49%) say the pandemic has made them thriftier, prompting 45% to try ‘doing it themselves’ rather than relying on qualified, legally registered professionals for improvements and renovations.

However, these efforts to save could actually prove more costly – almost 90% of the 2,000 householders surveyed did not realise home renovations can impact their home insurance cover and large numbers can’t identify some of the most common things that could invalidate policies, leading to future claims being rejected.

The most common things that could invalidate policies

• Using faulty home appliances (61% were unaware)
• DIY damage caused by improvements such as such as re-locating a gas boiler, building a conservatory, or similar (50%)
• Not using a certified tradesperson for carrying out gas and electrical work or repairs in your home (48%)

Accidentally invalidating your home insurance policy can be distressing, both emotionally and financially - but over half (51%) of Brits admit to never having read their home insurance policy in full.

However, for safety reasons, gas, electrical and plumbing works must be carried out by a registered professional. Tackling these types of job unqualified can invalidate home insurance and warranties, leaving people significantly out of pocket if something goes wrong, as well as at risk of injury or worse.

In fact, according to data from the Association of British Insurers (ABI), 82.2 per cent of claims are accepted, while the average cash amount people claim for on their home insurance is £2,627*.

The pandemic has sparked a sharp rise in people in wanting to relocate and change their housing situations, with a near two-fold increase in volume of agreed UK sales by last autumn alone*. This booming property market is set to see last year’s trend for renovations and DIY continue, as over a quarter (26%) of Brits plan to carry out major improvements in their homes over this coming year.

To help these millions of movers and improvers stay safe and save money, Gas Safe Register has teamed up with TV personality and DIY expert, Jo Behari as part of its Safety Starts at Home