| Most pub insurance policies that are sold do not | | | | reason being that a non-standard building could still be |
| cover the actual structure or buildings. A standard | | | | susceptible to a loss that will cause damage to the |
| policy will include contents, stock, liabilities, money and | | | | contents and stock. Water ingress into a building, for |
| business interruption with other covers available. | | | | example, following a storm can cause immense |
| There will usually be a commercial building insurance | | | | damage. |
| policy in place with a single insurer that is arranged by | | | | You will, when looking for your particular quote, be |
| the property owner, which will usually be a pub group | | | | asked certain questions about the construction. If |
| or property owning commercial landlord. As part of | | | | you do not know or are unsure then you will need to |
| their insurance arrangement, they will need to | | | | speak to the landlord, property owner or managing |
| declare, under the business building insurance cover, if | | | | agent to clarify exactly the materials that have been |
| the premises are of non-standard construction. | | | | used to build the property. If you do not declare, to |
| Each insurers interpretation of "non-standard" can be | | | | your insurer, the correct details you could potentially |
| different, but in essence what they want to be | | | | be faced with a claim that is turned down. |
| notified of is if the building is constructed of | | | | Most insurers will accept non-standard construction at |
| combustible materials. For example, brick, stone or | | | | around 20% of the overall structure. This means that |
| concrete block walls are fine, whereas timber walls | | | | where an extension has been built or there is a |
| (even in part) need to be declared. It is the same | | | | conservatory that a claim cannot be turned down |
| story for the roof, slate or tile is fine but insurers | | | | due to the mis-declaration of the construction of the |
| need to know if there is any flat roof, glass roof or | | | | building. |
| felt/asphalt on timber roof. If the roof is thatched | | | | As ever, the best thing for you to do is to only ask |
| then you really do need to notify the insurers as this | | | | an independent business insurance broker to arrange |
| will cause a sharp intake of breath, particularly if | | | | your insurance cover. The brokers job is to serve |
| there is an open fire. | | | | you, the insurance purchasing customer. They will |
| If you do not insure the buildings and are the tenant | | | | ensure, through the questions that they ask you, |
| arranging the insurance, you will still need to declare if | | | | that the correct details are declared to the insurers |
| the property is non-standard, as defined by the | | | | that ultimately underwrite the risk. |
| particular insurer that is providing the quote. The | | | | |