Rammed Earth House Insurance
Rammed earth house insurance is designed for homes and buildings constructed using compacted earth or soil-based wall systems, which may be treated as non-standard construction by insurers.
Because rammed earth homes can have specialist construction, moisture, structural, maintenance and rebuild considerations, a specialist broker may be able to help review suitable buildings, contents and liability cover options.
Referral enquiries may be reviewed by a specialist insurance broker, subject to underwriting criteria, insurer acceptance, terms and conditions.
Specialist Referral Support for Rammed Earth Homes
Rammed earth properties can be strong, sustainable and visually distinctive, but they may need specialist insurance because the construction type differs from standard brick, block, stone or timber homes.
Quote Monkey may be able to refer your enquiry to a specialist insurance broker who can review the property construction, occupancy, rebuild value, condition and cover requirements.
Common Insurance Sections for Rammed Earth Houses
Buildings Insurance
Buildings insurance may help protect the structure of the rammed earth house, including walls, roof, floors, foundations, fixtures, fittings, outbuildings and permanent features, subject to the policy wording.
Non-Standard Construction Cover
Rammed earth homes may be reviewed as non-standard construction. Insurers may ask about wall composition, stabilisation, render, foundations, roof protection, drainage, damp protection, age, condition and maintenance history.
Contents Insurance
Contents cover may help protect furniture, appliances, personal belongings, valuables and household items kept inside the rammed earth 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 Rammed Earth House Insurance?
Rammed earth house insurance may be suitable for:
Owners of rammed earth homes
Owners of eco homes
Owners of sustainable construction properties
Owners of non-standard construction homes
Self-build property owners
Owners of rural or bespoke homes
Residential landlords with rammed earth properties
Owners of rammed earth holiday homes
Owners of properties with rammed earth walls or sections
Owners needing buildings, contents and liability review
Property owners arranging specialist rebuild cover
Owners of alternative construction properties
Why Rammed Earth Homes Need Specialist Review
Rammed earth homes can perform well when designed and maintained correctly, but insurers may want to understand the construction method, stabilisation, damp protection, render or external finish, roof protection and repair approach.
Because the building method is less common than standard masonry, accurate rebuild values and specialist repair knowledge can be important when arranging suitable cover.
Buildings, Contents and Moisture Considerations
Moisture management can be an important issue for rammed earth homes. Insurers may ask about drainage, render, roof overhangs, foundations, waterproofing, ventilation and any history of damp, cracking or structural movement.
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
Rammed earth is one example of non-standard construction. Other property types that may need specialist review can include pre fabricated houses, modular homes, steel frame, straw bale, cob, thatched, timber frame, 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 rammed earth house insurance referral, a broker may ask for:
Property address and postcode
Property age and type
Construction method and wall materials
Whether the rammed earth is stabilised or unstabilised
Render or external finish details
Roof type and roof overhang details
Damp protection and drainage details
Foundation 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
Rammed earth 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 rammed earth 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.