Avoid invalidating home insurance

Bank holidays are the perfect time for people to crack on with essential DIY and home improvement work, but homeowners don't realise that half of the jobs they undertake can invalidate their insurance should they need to make a claim.

Debra Williams, managing director of Confused.com - the UK's leading insurance price comparison site - offers some helpful hints to those thinking of doing work on their home this bank holiday weekend:

1. Inform insurers of any home alteration work

This includes any minor work, such as changing a lock; this can nullify a claim if it doesn't match the lock written in your policy. Once insurers have been notified of the work, the insurance premium may increase temporarily, but this will cover you for any accidental damage done by the builder. In this way, you will not have to face the damage cost alone after the insurer has refused to pay.

2. Be security-savvy when renovating

Homeowners must ensure that when making alterations to a property, security doesn't decrease. Giving workmen a key to your property might seem convenient but this puts you at risk from once again having your insurance invalidated, should theft occur.

3. Tidy up after your day of DIY

Leaving a ladder and tool box outside your house, or opening windows to allow paint to dry overnight, will provide thieves with a helping hand when it comes to getting into your property, and will subsequently provide insurers with the ammunition to refuse a claim payout.

4. If in doubt, check it out

Checking with the insurer is the best way to ensure that you are protecting yourself from unforeseen costs when taking on DIY projects. Homeowners must find out what is already covered within their policy and take out extra cover for anything not already included.