12.06.25

Home Improvements and Your Home Insurance – What You Need to Know

Your Insurance and Home Improvements

At Cox Mahon, we appreciate that many of our clients take pride in their homes and may be planning or undertaking property improvements to enhance both lifestyle and long-term value. While such upgrades can be exciting and worthwhile, it’s crucial to remember that structural changes and home renovations can have important implications for your home insurance.

As your trusted insurance broker, we encourage you to notify us before starting any works – or as soon as possible if projects are already underway – so we can ensure your cover remains appropriate and uninterrupted.

Here are some of the most popular home improvement trends for 2025 and the potential insurance considerations associated with them:

1. Energy-Efficient Upgrades
   Improvements such as upgraded insulation, new windows, and energy-efficient systems not only reduce your utility bills but may also affect your home’s rebuild cost. Let us know about these upgrades so we can keep your policy aligned with the true value of your property.
2. Kitchen Renovations
   Whether you’re installing high-end appliances, custom cabinetry, or reconfiguring your kitchen layout, any material renovation can increase the value of your home. Your insurer needs to be aware of these changes to properly reflect your home’s updated features and ensure full protection in the event of a claim.
3. Outdoor Living Enhancements
   New outdoor kitchens, fire pits, patios, and landscaping structures like pergolas or garden offices can significantly improve your quality of life – and the replacement cost of your home. Please advise us of any such additions, especially where gas, electricity, or plumbing is involved.
4. Home Office Installations
   As working from home becomes more common, many clients are converting existing rooms or extending their properties to include fully equipped home offices. These adaptations may alter the usage profile of your property and should be factored into your insurance arrangements.
5. Basement Conversions
   Converting a basement into a guest suite, gym, or media room is a fantastic way to gain additional space, but it can also raise your property’s value and risk exposure (particularly if water ingress is a concern). It’s vital that your policy reflects any newly habitable areas.
6. Smart Home Technology
   The installation of integrated security, lighting, heating, and access control systems can boost your property’s safety and value—but it’s important we’re made aware of these to ensure they’re included in your cover and may even qualify for premium adjustments.

In Summary

Home improvements can be a sound investment – but they also come with responsibilities. Please keep us informed of any alterations or upgrades, no matter how minor they may seem. This ensures your home remains fully protected and avoids potential complications if you ever need to make a claim.

If you’re unsure whether a change affects your insurance, just give us a call – we’re here to help.

Information provided by  Harrison Law, (Cert CII) Head of Commercial & Private Clients, Cox Mahon Ltd.