At a glance
‘Non-standard’ typically describes a property built from anything other than brick and stone, without a slate or tile roof.
Any claims made on properties built with non-typical materials are likely to cost more.
If you live in a flood-risk area or your home is worth a lot of money you may need non-standard home insurance.
The cost will vary – it’ll depend on the property in question and your personal circumstances.
What is a non-standard construction?
Non-standard construction refers to homes built from non-typical materials. Generally speaking, this means properties that aren’t made from stone or brick and don’t have slate or tile roofs.
Though these sorts of homes aren’t normally covered by standard home insurance policies, they’re more common than you might think.
Examples of non-standard properties include:
Steel or timber-framed buildings
Homes built with alternative construction materials, such as flint, straw bale, cob, wattle and daub, grass and peat walls, and some cladding
Homes with a thatched, plastic, rubber or shingle roof. Around 60,000 UK homes have a thatched roof including some new builds
Flat-roof homes
Self-built homes
Modular and prefabricated homes – such as HUF HAUS.
When you compare insurance with us, you can tailor your requirements so you see a range of options for non-standard construction home insurance.
What else counts as a non-standard property for home insurance?
It isn’t just houses built from unusual materials that you might need non-standard home insurance for. You may also need insurance for a non-standard property if:
You live in a listed building
You live in a flood-prone area
Your home has a history of subsidence
Your home is unoccupied for long periods
Your home is worth a lot of money.
Find out more about home insurance for flood-risk areas and see if you need non-standard home cover.
Why do I need non-standard construction insurance?
If your home qualifies as non-standard, you need non-standard construction insurance because any claims you make are likely to be expensive. And that’s down to several reasons:
Replacing or repairing parts of the building is likely to cost more, due to higher material or labour costs.
Non-standard homes may require more ongoing maintenance, as the materials they’re built from can be more prone to damage.
There may be fewer tradespeople with the expertise to maintain or repair non-standard properties, meaning they charge higher fees.
Repairing non-standard properties may take longer, again making claims potentially more expensive.
How much is non-standard home insurance?
How much home insurance for a non-standard property costs depends on your individual circumstances.
As well as the type of home you live in, other factors, such as where you live, the size of your home and how old it is will determine how much you pay.
One of the easiest ways to get a good deal on your non-standard home insurance is by shopping around and comparing quotes.
Start a quoteHow can I get a quote for non-standard construction home insurance?
At Compare the Market, comparing both standard and non-standard home insurance quotes is simple.
We’ll ask you for some personal details, as well as information about your home, including:
The construction of your home – including what it’s made of
When it was built
If it’s a listed building.
The details you give us will determine whether your home is considered non-standard. This, in turn, will inform which policies you can apply for and how much you’ll pay.
If you’re not sure what your home is made of, check the deeds. It’s not always obvious. For example, some concrete and prefab – or prefabricated reinforced concrete (PRC) homes (such as Hawksley PRC houses) – have a brick façade.
Make sure you have the necessary documents you might need when you’re applying for non-standard home insurance.
For example, if you live in a thatched property that’s had a fire-retardant spray applied to the roof, keep the certificate handy.
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FAQs
How can I pay less for non-standard home insurance?
You may be able to pay less for your non-standard home insurance by:
Paying annually (this is usually cheaper than paying monthly)
Building up a no claims discount
Paying a higher voluntary excess
Comparing home insurance to get suitable cover at the right price for you.
How can I work out the cost of rebuilding a non-standard property?
Your buildings policy is based on your home’s rebuild cost, which is the amount of money it would cost to rebuild your home if it was completely destroyed.
The materials needed to rebuild a non-standard home can be harder to source and the construction methods more specialised. This can push up the rebuild cost.
You can work out the approximate cost of rebuilding a non-standard property using a home rebuild calculator.
When you get a buildings insurance quote with us, we’ll help you work out how much it would cost to rebuild your home.
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Helen’s our resident home insurance expert, as the former Head of Home Insurance at Compare the Market. She's also experienced with car insurance and pet insurance from her previous roles across commercial, partnerships and as a freelance consultant, working with more than 100 insurers across a variety of insurance products.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
As an award-winning journalist, author and broadcast commentator, Kate has been writing about personal finance for more than 20 years. She’s the former Money Editor for The Independent.
Our content is written by a Compare the Market expert, backed by data and enhanced by technology. Find out how we ensure accuracy and quality in our Editorial Guidelines.
