Insurance and container storage

[Triassic]

I now have two 20 foot containers on site and we have a moving onto site date as we've finally sold our current house in Cheshire! So what is the score regarding insurance for our furniture and other worldly possessions stored in the containers. Can I insure them on a standard self build policy, or do I need something specialist?

[ToughButterCup]

In answering this question for myself, I almost lost the will to live. 

There are so many twists, turns, exclusions, differences of emphasis among  policies on offer, that I asked our insurance agent to sort it out. The eventual compromise is of the 'least-unsatisfactory' sort. 

Good luck. 

[Triassic]

I contacted one insurer and was how would you classify a container, is it a shed an outbuilding or a garage?

[ProDave]

This does seem something site insurance does not cover very well.

My site insurance covers my static caravan, but it was unclear if it covers the contents. A phone call to the insurer got verbal confirmation that it does, but I couldn't get anything in writing.

What about when we do move into the caravan, then all our furniture will be stored in the part built house?

On our first build, 13 years ago, that policy made it clear it covered the 'van but not the contents. I tried to buy contents insurance for that, but it seemed nobody wold insure a static caravan unless it was on a recognised mobile home park.

[PeterW]

The problem becomes that the house is not a house until it becomes habitable - insurers then insure the main house plus its contents and potentially any ancillary buildings 

Containers don't fall well into this last category - and aren't great for anything with soft furnishing - so they can't tick the right box. 

One off the wall suggestion would be goods in transit insurance - not overly expensive and it's "technically" what it is ..!

 

[Barney12]

We solved this problem with our local insurance broker.

We have a triple garage, flat over the top, outbuilding(s), container and a semi-derelict vacant house.

Try telling the stupid Meercat or singing tw*t (other insurance brokerage sites are available) that little lot!

We are covered by RSA under a "buildings and contents" policy and have a written note from the broker confirming cover.

Oh and it works as I tripped over a picture we have in storage. Broke the glass which damaged the print and they coughed up its original purchase price without query once I sent the original receipt. (Proof that you should keep receipts for everything!).