Cob House Insurance
Cob house insurance is designed for properties built using cob construction, a traditional method using natural materials such as clay, sand, straw and water.
Because cob houses may be treated as non-standard construction, a specialist broker may be able to help review buildings, contents, liability, alternative accommodation, maintenance and rebuild considerations.
Referral enquiries may be reviewed by a specialist insurance broker, subject to underwriting criteria, insurer acceptance, terms and conditions.
Specialist Referral Support for Cob Houses
Cob houses can be beautiful, durable and full of character, but they often need specialist insurance because their construction differs from standard brick, block or modern timber frame buildings.
Quote Monkey may be able to refer your enquiry to a specialist insurance broker who can review the property construction, condition, occupancy, rebuild value and cover requirements.
Common Insurance Sections for Cob Houses
Buildings Insurance
Buildings insurance may help protect the structure of the cob house, including walls, roof, floors, foundations, fixtures, fittings, outbuildings and permanent features, subject to the policy wording.
Non-Standard Construction Cover
Cob houses may be reviewed as non-standard construction. Insurers may ask about wall materials, render, roof type, damp protection, age, condition, maintenance history and whether the property is listed or historic.
Contents Insurance
Contents cover may help protect furniture, appliances, personal belongings, valuables and household items kept inside the cob property.
Property Owners' Liability Insurance
Property owners' liability may help protect against certain claims if a visitor, contractor, neighbour or member of the public is injured or their property is damaged and you are held legally liable.
Alternative Accommodation
If the property becomes uninhabitable following insured damage, some policies may help with temporary accommodation while repairs are carried out.
Who May Need Cob House Insurance?
Cob house insurance may be suitable for:
Owners of cob homes
Owners of traditional rural properties
Owners of historic or period homes
Owners of non-standard construction homes
Owners of listed cob properties
Residential landlords with cob houses
Owners of cob holiday homes
Owners of properties with cob walls or cob sections
Self-build owners using cob construction
Owners of renovated cob cottages
Owners needing buildings, contents and liability review
Property owners arranging specialist rebuild cover
Why Cob Houses Need Specialist Review
Cob properties can have different insurance considerations from standard homes. Insurers may want to understand the wall construction, render type, roof overhang, moisture protection, damp history, maintenance and whether repairs need specialist tradespeople.
Because cob is a traditional natural construction method, accurate rebuild values and repair methods are important when arranging suitable cover.
Buildings, Contents and Moisture Considerations
Moisture management can be an important issue for cob houses. Insurers may ask about render condition, roof protection, drainage, damp proofing, ground levels, ventilation and previous water damage.
Contents insurance may also be considered alongside buildings cover, especially where the property is owner-occupied, let, used as a holiday home or contains high-value items.
Other Non-Standard Construction Types
Cob is one example of non-standard construction. Other property types that may need specialist review can include modular homes, steel frame, straw bale, thatched, timber frame, rammed earth, concrete block, historic and listed buildings.
Each construction type can present different insurance considerations, so accurate construction details are important when requesting a specialist broker referral.
Information a Specialist Broker May Ask For
To review a cob house insurance referral, a broker may ask for:
Property address and postcode
Property age and type
Whether the property is listed
Construction method and wall materials
Render and external finish details
Roof type and roof overhang details
Damp protection and drainage details
Maintenance and repair history
Rebuild value
Contents value
Occupancy details
Whether the property is owner-occupied, let, vacant or used as a holiday home
Claims history
Whether any works are planned
Whether buildings, contents, liability or alternative accommodation cover is required
What May Not Be Covered
Cob house insurance cover depends on the insurer, construction details, property condition, occupancy, policy wording, exclusions and conditions. Common restricted or excluded areas may include:
Wear and tear or gradual deterioration
Poor maintenance
Existing structural damage or known defects
Moisture damage caused by lack of maintenance
Undeclared non-standard construction details
Unoccupied periods not disclosed to the insurer
Holiday letting or tenant use not declared
Major works or structural alterations unless agreed by the insurer
Theft without forced or violent entry, depending on policy terms
Claims outside the insured use or construction description
Failure to comply with inspection or maintenance conditions
Always check the full policy wording, schedule, exclusions, endorsements and conditions before relying on cover.
Request a Specialist Broker Referral
If you need cob house insurance reviewed by a specialist broker, you can submit details of the construction, occupancy, rebuild value, condition, maintenance history and required cover.
Referral enquiries may be reviewed by a specialist insurance broker, subject to underwriting criteria, insurer acceptance, terms and conditions.