Contingent Building Insurance

Apr 05, 2006 1 Replies

I have today received a report from my solicitor about a flat I am buying, asking me whether I would like him to request a contingent buildings insurance policy from the seller (the flat is one of two flats in a converted building, and under the terms of each lease, each lessee is required to insure their part of the building - we have seen copies of the current insurance policies for both flats).



I've no idea what contingent buildings insurance is intended to cover and I wonder whether this is something I really need, or whether there is another reason for him suggesting it (commission? covering his own back?) Before I speak to him, could anyone explain what such a policy would cover?



Thanks in advance



Some flats are insured separately by each owner - unlike the most common method whereby the whole block of flats is insured by the operator. Unfortunately, if one flat owner does not properly insure his flat and something goes wrong with it which impinges in some way on the other flats, then those other flats have a problem unless they have contingent insurance. This is designed to pay up if the other guy can't. But you shouldn't need this if there is a block policy in force.

Rob Graham

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