NEW BUILD INSURANCE

While approximately 70-80% of new homes in the UK benefit from NHBC warranty or insurance coverage, these policies primarily address construction quality and standards rather than comprehensive property protection. The NHBC’s role as the UK’s leading independent standard-setter means their ten-year Buildmark warranty has become essential—so much so that many mortgage lenders make it a requirement for financing new build properties.

This warranty structure provides important protections during your initial ownership period. For the first two years, your builder bears direct responsibility for resolving any issues, regardless of size, if they’ve failed to meet NHBC standards. However, this warranty has specific limitations and doesn’t replace traditional buildings insurance for events like weather damage, natural disasters, or accidents.

For complete protection of your investment, buildings insurance becomes crucial from the moment you exchange contracts—not from your move-in date. This timing is essential because the property legally becomes your responsibility at exchange, regardless of whether you’ve taken possession. Many mortgage providers specifically require this arrangement to ensure comprehensive protection begins immediately. This approach ensures you’re financially protected against structural damage from unexpected events like severe weather, fire, or accidents that fall outside your builder’s warranty coverage.