How Retrofitting Affects Property Insurance in the UK
Retrofitting—whether to improve energy efficiency, enhance safety, or strengthen climate resilience—has a direct effect on property insurance.
In the UK, the impact depends on the type of retrofit, the quality of the work, and how insurers assess the change in risk profile.
Strategic Insight from Industry Commentary
An article published on 14th August 2025 on Inside Housing states, “Now is the time to stop looking at retrofit in isolation,” urges social housing landlords and property owners to embed retrofit strategies within broader asset management programmes, rather than treating them as one-off projects.
This integrated approach ensures that retrofits align with ongoing maintenance, budget planning, and long-term asset performance, helping to maximise value while improving risk resilience — benefits that are increasingly recognised by insurers.
Potential Premium Reductions
If the retrofit reduces the likelihood or severity of claims, insurers may view the property as a lower risk:
Flood resilience upgrades (e.g., raised electrical systems, flood barriers) can lead to lower flood-related premiums or make a previously hard-to-insure property eligible for cover.
Fire safety improvements (e.g., replacing combustible cladding, upgrading alarms) may reduce fire premiums.
Structural strengthening (e.g., underpinning for subsidence) can result in fewer structural claims.
Premium Increases or Coverage Changes
Sometimes retrofitting can increase premiums—at least temporarily:
Higher rebuild costs – Using premium materials or technology can raise the sum insured.
During works – Special contract works or renovation insurance may be required.
New risks – Systems like solar batteries can add fire hazards if not installed correctly.
Underwriting & Disclosure Requirements
Under the Insurance Act 2015, property owners must disclose material changes to insurers — including retrofits. Failure to do so can affect claim outcomes.
Retrofit–Insurance Impact Overview
Taking Inside Housing’s advice, landlords and property owners — especially in the social housing sector — should plan retrofits as part of long-term asset management. This not only delivers operational efficiency but can also build insurer confidence, potentially leading to better cover terms, reduced premiums, and greater resilience against future climate and safety risks.
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We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
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Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
Independent broker with staff you can speak to by phone or online
Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
Competitive Premiums
Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
Independent broker with staff you can speak to by phone or online
Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
Competitive Premiums
Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
Specialists in Commercial & Residential Insurance
We have over 40 years experience as Residential and Commercial Insurance Brokers. We find the right policy to suit your needs and understand the risks that a property owner can face in the course of ownership. We work closely with our Insurers to get the best rates and our experience and excellent relationships with them mean that we can provide cover for even the most difficult to place risks.
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Robert Fisher is a company director of the Property Insurance Centre, who specialise in Business and Property Insurance, serving clients throughout the United Kingdom. His expertise and career in insurance spans almost twenty years.
Robert’s background is in Building Surveying, which he studied at Heriot-Watt University, where he was awarded a BSc (Hons) degree. Much of his educational background is in Building Structural Safety from an engineering perspective.
The knowledge that Robert gained at undergraduate level has lent itself well, particularly as it has enabled him to evaluate the risks associated with certain buildings. This means he knows how best to place these risks and ultimately insure the properties against such risks.
His in-depth knowledge of various methods of construction has enabled him to easily identify which insurer’s underwriting criteria would best fit each client’s needs and provide the correct levels of cover.
Additionally, Robert is responsible for training the team and ensuring that they are always kept up to date with the latest industry developments. This is an area that he is naturally drawn to because of his inquisitive mind, diligence and passion for passing on knowledge to others.
He is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and qualified to Level 3 with the CII.
As part of the Level 3 certification, Robert has undertaken modules in Insurance, Legal & Regulatory (IF1), Insurance Claims Handling (IF4) and Insurance Household Products (IF6).
As a condition of CII membership, Robert continues his professional development by keeping abreast of the latest industry developments.
Contents
- 1 How Retrofitting Affects Property Insurance in the UK
- 2 Strategic Insight from Industry Commentary
- 3
- 4 Insurance under one roof
- 5 We are specialists in many types of insurance
- 6 Potential Premium Reductions
- 7 Premium Increases or Coverage Changes
- 8 Underwriting & Disclosure Requirements
- 9 Retrofit–Insurance Impact Overview
- 10 Block of Flats
- 11 Unoccupied
- 12 Home Insurance
- 13 Residential Landlord
- 14 Land Liability
- 15 Commercial Property
- 16 Lockup Garage
- 17 Restaurant
- 18 Takeaway
- 19 Classic Car
- 20 Mixed Use
- 21 Tradesmen
- 22 Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
- 23 Independent advice by approachable staff online or by phone
- 24 Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
- 25 Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
- 26 We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
- 27 Competitive Premiums
- 28 Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
- 29 Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
- 30 Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
- 31 Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
- 32 Independent broker with staff you can speak to by phone or online
- 33 Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
- 34 Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
- 35 We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
- 36 Competitive Premiums
- 37 Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
- 38 Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
- 39 Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
- 40 Why choose the Property Insurance Centre
- 41 Independent broker with staff you can speak to by phone or online
- 42 Access to a wide range of insurers to source suitable insurance cover for your needs
- 43 Bespoke Insurance Schemes & Portfolio Policies available
- 44 We can tailor your policy to suit your exact needs to give you complete peace of mind
- 45 Competitive Premiums
- 46 Cover available for the buildings while the property is being converted, renovated or extended
- 47 Over 40 years experience working with the best insurers in the UK
- 48 Excellent communication so that you understand what risks you are insured against
- 49 Specialists in Commercial & Residential Insurance
- 50 Get In Touch:
- 51 We accept most payment types including:
- 52 UK Call Handlers & Dedicated New Business Team
- 53 Call Us on 0800 085 3761
- 54 Robert Fisher
