If you’ve been told your property is “non-standard” you may find that the right cover isn’t as straightforward as buying a typical home insurance policy.
In this guide, we’ll find out what non-standard insurance is, what non-standard construction means, what makes a property non-standard, and why non-standard homes need specialist insurance.
What Is Non-Standard Home Insurance?
Non-standard home insurance is a specialist type of cover designed for properties or homeowners who don’t meet the “standard” criteria that most insurers prefer.
Most mainstream home insurance policies are designed for homes with:
- Brick or stone walls
- A slate or tiled roof
- Low risk of flooding
- No business use
If your property is built with different materials or methods, insurers may classify it as non-standard construction, which means you may need a more tailored policy.
This is where insurance for non-standard homes becomes essential.
What does non-standard construction mean?
In the UK, a “standard” home is typically constructed with brick or stone walls and a slate or tiled roof. If your property differs from this, either partially or entirely, it may be classed as a non-standard construction.
What makes a property non-standard construction?
Non-standard construction properties can include homes built with timber frames, concrete panels, steel frames, flat roofs, thatched roofs, or other alternative materials.
It may also apply to older properties with traditional building methods, such as cob or wattle and daub, as well as modern eco-homes using innovative materials.
Having a non-standard construction property doesn’t mean your home is unsafe or lower quality; it simply means that the materials or structure require a different approach when assessing risk and rebuilding costs.
What other reasons might require non-standard home insurance?
- Listed buildings
- Unoccupied or empty property
- Holiday or second homes
- Flood risk areas
- Working from home
- Renovation and building works
- Previous claims history
- Subsidence history
Why do non-standard homes need specialist insurance?
Insurers assess risk based on historical data and the predictability of things like:
- Flood risk
- Fire risk
- Storm damage
- Subsidence
- Repair costs
Non-standard homes can carry different risk profiles, for example:
- Thatched roofs may increase fire risk
- Timber frames may respond differently to moisture
- Flat roofs may be more vulnerable to weather damage
- Unoccupied homes may be a greater risk of burglary
- Business visitors increase the likelihood of accidental damage
Repairing or rebuilding these properties can also require specialist materials or skilled trades, which can affect claim costs. This doesn’t mean your home is uninsurable; it simply means it needs the right policy.
What Does Non-Standard Home Insurance Cover?
A good non-standard home insurance policy can include:
- Full rebuild cover
- Accidental damage
- Storm and flood protection
- Fire cover
- Alternative accommodation
Policies can be tailored to suit your property’s unique characteristics, giving you confidence that your home is properly protected.
Who Offers Non-Standard Insurance in the UK?
Nest GI works with many specialist insurers in this market. More often than not, these types of policies are arranged via brokers rather than price comparison websites.
If you’re unsure whether your property requires home insurance for non standard construction, or you’ve struggled to find suitable cover, Nest GI is here to help.
Working with a specialist broker like us means:
- Your construction type is accurately assessed
- You’re matched with insurers who understand non-standard properties
- Your cover reflects the true rebuild cost
- You avoid unnecessary exclusions
👉 Speak to the Nest GI team today for tailored advice and a competitive quote.
Call us or request a callback, and let’s make sure your home has the protection it deserves.
