Building Insurance: Here's Everything You Need To Know

What is building insurance?

Building insurance is essential for homeowners. It provides financial security and covers damage and accidents to your home. With it, you can handle overwhelming bills for repairs.

If you borrow money to buy a house from a financial institution, they will require you to have building insurance with fire coverage. This requirement ensures they can recoup their money if the house is damaged by fire.

What does building insurance cover?

The insurance includes coverage for fire, weather, and damage caused by rats and other pests. The IDA Building Insurance primarily consists of fire coverage, but you can add additional options to customize it according to your specific needs.

Here are the most common coverage options:

• Storm damage: This includes coverage for storms, frost bursts in pipes, snow pressure, avalanches, hail, water damage due to another covered incident, severe thaw, or cloudburst resulting in flooding.
• Insect, damp, and mould damage: This covers fungal attacks and damage caused by wood-destroying insects.
• Hidden pipes and cable damage: This coverage includes leaks in hidden pipe installations.
• Water supply and distribution system damage: This covers damage to pipe installations and faults in the cables you must maintain.

If you need help, call 70 21 01 91. IDA Forsikring's advisors will happily help you choose the best option. 

You can learn even more about all the coverages on our building insurance. But below, you will find more answers to how it covers – and does not cover. 

What is not covered by building insurance?

Damage must occur unexpectedly and suddenly to get compensation. This definition means that in several situations, you are not covered:

• You are not covered for damage that occurs due to lack of maintenance.
• You are not covered for damage that occurs as a result of faulty construction on roofs and buildings.
• You are not covered for building damage that slowly occurs over a long period.  

Is the homeowner's liability included in the house insurance?

When you purchase and add the optional 'Basic Coverage,' it automatically includes coverage for homeowner's liability. This coverage protects you if you accidentally injure people or damage their property, such as if a roof tile falls from your house and hits a pedestrian.

Does the insurance include legal aid?

Legal aid is automatically covered as part of "Basic Coverage" if you add it as an additional option. Legal aid covers the costs incurred by a lawyer in the event of a dispute. This coverage applies to private litigation, house sales, and reconstruction cases.

Does building insurance cover water damage to the basement?

If you've opted for the 'Basic Coverage' in your building insurance, you're shielded from water damage caused by storms. Refer to your policy's 'Storm Damage' section for more specifics.

To have more extensive coverage, you need to select 'Extended water damage':

• Due to inadequate drainage, you will be covered if water seeps through the basement floor, walls, and roof structures.
• Coverage includes instances where water rises from sewers or groundwater.
• You will be covered if drifting snow causes water damage and there is no immediate access to the ceiling.
• Water damage from leaks in visible installations, such as radiators or aquariums, is also covered.

Can I get reimbursement for the costs of repairing cosmetic damage?

You will be covered for cosmetic damage to your house through the 'Cosmetic differences' option, which you can add to your insurance.

For example, if you have experienced pipe damage on your bathroom floor, replacing the damaged tiles can be covered during the pipe repair (with the additional option 'Hidden pipes and cable damage').

If you cannot find the same tiles as the ones that were damaged, you will be covered for half the cost of replacing the entire floor. This coverage applies to the damage to the toilet/bathroom, utility room, and kitchen/family room.

Does my building insurance cover solar panels?  

Your building insurance covers solar cell systems. However, it's important to note that they are included on the same terms as other building components. To apply for coverage, you must ensure that your solar systems are stated in your policy before any damage occurs.

Therefore, you must select it when you buy building insurance or inform us if you have it installed later.

You can inform us through My Page.

What conditions do I need to meet?

The solar cell system must be permanently mounted on your house or installed on the ground with cast plinths or pressure-treated wood.

Does the insurance cover building materials on my property?

To ensure that the insurance covers the building materials on your property, you need to select the 'More security' option. By choosing this, your building materials are protected against theft, vandalism, and sudden damage for up to three months from delivery.

The following materials are covered when stored outdoors:

• Roofing
• Brick
• Insulation
• Cement/concrete
• Wood for construction, including rafters and battens

Other materials are covered when securely locked in a container, building, garage, or outbuilding:

• Flooring
• Kitchen units
• Plumbing elements
• Appliances
• Windows and doors

Also, consider supplementing this coverage with construction insurance

If you are considering building a new house, it's important to have construction insurance. This insurance ensures that you are well covered for any unforeseen expenses in case of damage to your building.

How can you protect yourself from hidden damages?  

It's essential to consider indemnity insurance in addition to building insurance. This type of insurance can compensate for any hidden damage not disclosed in the condition or electrical installation report.

If you're interested in purchasing indemnity insurance, we recommend contacting our partner, Gjensidige Forsikring.

Feel free to learn more about what indemnity insurance covers to make an informed decision.

What is the distinction between building and indemnity insurance?

Building insurance covers damages that occur after you have taken over the house. This insurance applies in cases such as when storms or cloudbursts cause damage to your home.

Indemnity insurance covers hidden damages to the house before you take it over. This coverage can include damage caused by illegal plumbing or electrical installations.

Have you insured your belongings in the house?

When you insure your building, the coverage applies to any damage to the house structure. However, you will need home contents insurance to cover the belongings inside your house.

Home contents insurance protects all your possessions in case of fire, theft, burglary, and vandalism. This type of insurance also includes liability coverage. Additionally, you can enhance your coverage based on your specific needs.

Please get in touch with us for more information about IDA Home Contents Insurance and coverage options.

Do you need to file an insurance claim?

If you need to report damage in your home, you can do so for your home contents insurance, holiday home insurance, building insurance, or construction insurance. You can contact Tryg Skadeservice at 70 33 25 25 or file a claim online.

File a claim on indemnity insurance

To file a claim on your indemnity insurance, please get in touch with Gjensidige at 88 18 67 37.