Block of Flats Insurance

We find the building cover you need at a price that works for you

As one of the longest established and dedicated block of flats insurance brokers with more than three decades of experience across the UK, we know that cover and budget are important to you when searching for building insurance.

Organising quotes and buildings insurance for leasehold flats and apartments is a big responsibility — Gallagher understands that and is here to help you find the block of flats insurance policy that meets your needs.

We’ve specialised in block of flats building insurance for more than 30 years, so we know that properties come in all shapes and sizes. Our specialists work to find cover for properties from a small block of two flats in a converted house to more than 200 flats in a purpose built block. We also provide cover for the following types of properties across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Purpose built
Converted properties
Standard and non-standard construction
Listed buildings
Unoccupied property
Warehouse and loft conversions

We find suitable insurance cover at an appropriate price

You may be the director of a Residential Management Company (RMC) or Right to Manage (RTM) company, a member of a residents’ association, a leaseholder, a property manager or simply a resident volunteering to organise the building insurance and obtain block of flats insurance quotes for comparison.

We know that cover and price are important to you and that arranging cover can be complicated. It’s not like insuring a regular house. A block insurance policy provides property owners with protection. Most notably, it can help provide funds to help with the cost of repairs if property damage occurs and can even cover the cost to rebuild the property in the event of what insurers call a “total loss.”

With more than three decades of experience in the UK, you can utilise our specialists’ experience and knowledge to find an appropriate and cost effective building insurance cover for your needs.

Benefits of block of flats insurance cover for leaseholders

While every individual block of flats has its own unique set of risks, following is the cover you should expect in a standard block of flats insurance policy. Gallagher works with you to understand your unique needs and scales a risk program to align to your risk needs.

Building cover, including accidental damage, water damage, fire, theft, flood and storm.
Inflation protection of up to 50%. We use recognised independent price indices to amend your sums insured to reflect inflation.
Trace and access of leaks in service pipes.
Communal contents, including fitted carpets.
Alternative accommodation or loss of rent if the premises aren’t habitable or tenants have to move out.
Outbuildings such as garages, and communal gardens and grounds.
One excess per incident so if damage affects several flats, you are liable for only one excess per total claim.
Replacement keys, including keys to communal entrances.
Employers’ liability to cover anyone working in communal areas.
Third party liability up to £10 million.

Policy limits and exclusions may apply, please see the policy wording for full terms and conditions.

Claims process for block of flats insurance

Should the worst happen and you need to file a claim, we provide you with your own specialist claims advisor who supports you step-by-step, from first notification to claims settlement. Our experienced, in-house claims team, based here in the UK, specialises in block of flats insurance claims. Working together with our insurer partners, we aim to make your claims experience as quick and easy as possible.

File a claim with our claims service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by calling on 0800 612 3781.

Some of our insurance partners

Our specialists work with well-known insurers to shape a policy around your needs. We do the work so you don’t have to. Our insurers include:

Frequently asked questions about block of flats insurance

Below are frequently asked questions about block of flats building insurance. Please note that these Frequently Asked Questions are not a substitute for the policy wording. For full terms and conditions, please see the policy documentation.

What is block of flats insurance?

Block of flats insurance is buildings insurance for a property containing more than one dwelling, e.g. flats and apartments. Insurers usually refer to it as block insurance. It can be for something as small as two flats in a converted house where the leaseholders may share the freehold ownership, to big, purpose built blocks and converted buildings with multiple leaseholders.

What does building insurance cover in a block of flats?

It covers the cost of repairs to the fabric of your building sustains damage from what is known as the insured perils such as fire, storm, flood and many other risks. The policy also usually covers loss of rent or alternative accommodation whilst repairs are being carried out following an insured loss, and your liabilities as a property owner to other parties if they are injured on your property. You should always check your policy to understand what is and what’s not covered, as policies do differ.

What insurance do you need for a leasehold flat or apartment?

If you are the leaseholder of a flat, then the building is normally insured by the freeholder or the residents association; therefore you would not necessarily have to arrange building insurance. However, check your lease because it stipulates who must insure the building. You may still have to contribute to the cost through your service charge and you’ll still need to arrange your own contents cover.

Is the leaseholder responsible for arranging buildings insurance?

The lease will stipulate who must insure the building. This normally states it is the freeholder’s responsibility, who will arrange the insurance and then include the cost in the service charge. However, many leaseholders do combine and form a Right to Manage (RTM) company or Residential Management Company (RMC). As part of this, they can elect to arrange the insurance themselves in the company name.

What is a common buildings insurance policy?

This term, often found in a lease, describes an insurance policy that covers all the flats in a block (or blocks on an estate) under a single policy, rather than each leaseholder arranging their own policy. It can be beneficial to arrange insurance on a block, as you will be sharing many aspects of the structure, such as roofs, communal areas, roads, bin sheds, etc. This helps avoid problems in the event of claims in determining who is responsible for reinstating property following a loss or damage.

Do I need directors and officers cover as a director of a Right To Manage or Resident Management company?

If you’re a director or officer of a right-to-manage or residents’ association, you can be held legally liable for mistakes or oversights in the running of your company or association, even if you’re a volunteer and not being paid. This could expose you to personal financial loss, which could be substantial. A directors and officers insurance policy can help protect you from this loss.

Is block of flats buildings insurance a legal requirement?

It’s not a legal requirement, but many property owners, including leaseholders who own flats and apartments, choose to take out buildings insurance to cover themselves against the cost of repairing damage to the building following an insured loss. It’s usually a requirement of your mortgage lender that you adequately insure the building and without evidence of insurance, you may be unlikely to get a mortgage.

Decades of experience in leaseholder buildings insurance
Specialised cover plus optional extras
Suitable cover at an appropriate price
In-house claims handling

Block of Flats Insurance Team

0800 612 8631