Insurance for house with flat roof

[Lucius Lamb]

My home is a 140sq meters three-bed semi in D14.
It's insured as non-standard because almost half the roof area is flat. Cover for storm or water damage was withdrawn last year because the flat roof is more than 15 years old. To get cover restored, I would have to provide the insurer with a declaration from a qualified roofer certifying that the roof is in good working order. Roofers have quoted about €300 for the job and the insurer would require a new cert every two years to maintain cover for storm and water damage.
I think this is too much, not to mention the hassle of getting roofers to turn up when they say they will. So I've decided to run the risk without insurance, paying for any storm or water damage that may arise from my own pocket.
My broker has just quoted almost €750 to renew non-standard cover for another year. My guess is that standard insurance would cost substantially less, although they typically exclude houses such as mine where so much of the roof is flat.
I seem to be stuck with a non-standard policy that costs a lot more but no longer provides the cover I need for a flat roof.
Any ideas? Many thanks.

 

[Leo]

My guess is that standard insurance would cost substantially less, although they typically exclude houses such as mine where so much of the roof is flat.

You can get an idea yourself by submitting your details on one of the online insurance quote engines without mention of the flat roof and see what they quote. Of course you can't buy a standard policy given the proportion of the roof that is flat, but at least you'd understand the premium you are paying.

How sheltered or exposed your property is should be a factor in the level of risk you are taking on going without storm or water damage insurance, along with the potential cost of making good and your ability to pay.

Another factor worth considering is that at more than 15 years old, your roof may well be nearing end of its serviceable life. If you haven't had one in a while, an inspection might be a wise investment. They could also advise on the potential to change some or all of the flat area to achieve a pitch of 10 degrees or more so it;'s no longer considered flat.