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Buildings Insurance

Specialist buildings insurance
Protect your home up to £3,000,000
Comprehensive, all risk cover
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Why choose us

We’ve redesigned home insurance, so it works for you

Insurance is traditionally complicated, opaque and time-consuming. Rivr offers buildings insurance that puts clarity and simplicity first. Whether your property is high-value, listed or features swimming pools, permanent fixtures or other special features, our home insurance policy is designed to protect what matters.

Our buildings cover is based on your property's actual rebuild cost, with the option to increase your sum insured using a recent, approved valuation. We also provide cover for accidental damage, legal expenses, lost or stolen keys and alternative accommodation if your home becomes uninhabitable. If you ever need to make a claim, our expert team will guide you through the process with speed and care.

Regulated by the FCA | Underwritten by A Rated insurers

Tailored specialist cover

Truly comprehensive, all risks cover. Insure with confidence.

HOME

All risk cover

Cover designed for high value homes with less ambiguity.

OUTBUILDINGS

Enhanced protection

Higher limits and broader coverage for outbuildings.

AND MORE

Fast and personal

The speed of digital, with the benefit of dedicated advisors.

4.3/5 rated on Trustpilot

What our clients are saying

Read more reviews

Great personal service from Will. The process was simple, straightforward, and hassle-free. No unnecessary complications, just efficient cover. I’d definitely recommend Rivr to others needing insurance.

CW
UK

What’s covered?

Policy documents

Only a summary of the policy's coverage is presented on this page. 
Read these documents to fully understand what is and isn't covered

Rivr Home Insurance Policy Wording
Rivr Home Insurance IPID
Policy overview

Your home's buildings

We cover the physical structure of your home, any outbuildings, decorative finishes or permanent fittings in your home.

Home improvements

Any additions, alterations or improvements are covered up to 25% of your buildings cover.

Accidental damage

We will pay for any damage caused accidentally.

Alternative accommodation

If you can't live in your home for up to 3 years due to some insured damage we will pay for somewhere else for you to live.

Building works

If you are carrying out building works on your home, we will cover you up to £75,000, but let us know if it's going to cost more than this.

Emergency access

We will pay for damage due to forced entry during a medical emergency or to prevent damage to your home.

View full summary

Your home's buildings

We cover the physical structure of your home, any outbuildings, decorative finishes or permanent fittings in your home.

Home improvements

Any additions, alterations or improvements are covered up to 25% of your buildings cover.

Accidental damage

We will pay for any damage caused accidentally.

Alternative accommodation

If you can't live in your home for up to 3 years due to some insured damage we will pay for somewhere else for you to live.

Building works

If you are carrying out building works on your home, we will cover you up to £75,000, but let us know if it's going to cost more than this.

Emergency access

We will pay for damage due to forced entry during a medical emergency or to prevent damage to your home.

Lock replacement

We will pay for costs to replace locks on external doors, alarms, and safes after the loss or theft of your keys with no excess applied.

Preventative measures

We will pay up to £2,500 for costs you incur in taking reasonable temporary preventative measures to protect your home from damage caused by a storm or flooding.

Locating the source of a leak

We will cover the cost of locating a leak from fixed water tanks, apparatus and pipes.

Alternative accommodation

If you can't live in your home for up to 3 years due to some insured damage we will pay for somewhere else for you to live.

Garden cover

We will pay up to £10,000 to restore your garden if it is damaged from certain events.

Precautionary repairs

We will pay up to £1,000 for repairs that prevent further loss or damage after a flood or a leak.

Cover during the sale of your home

We will cover damage to your home between the exchange of contracts and completion.

Tree removal

We will pay up to £2,500 to remove fallen trees blocking your main car access to your home.

Fees, expenses & debris removal

We will pay for architect, surveyor, and engineer fees and site clearing and costs.

Fatal injury & disability

We will pay up to £50,000 for fatal injuries as a result of a fire or burglary at your home and up to £15,000 for any necessary building alterations as a result of your injuries.

Forced eviction

If public authorities deny you access due to nearby damage, we will cover the costs of alternative accommodation costs for up to 30 days.

Reward

We offer up to £5,000 as a reward to anyone who helps catch and convict anyone who caused a claim under this insurance through illegal actions.

Policy documents

Only a summary of the policy's coverage is presented on this page. 
Read these documents to fully understand what is and isn't covered

Rivr Home Insurance Policy Wording
Rivr Home Insurance IPID

What’s not covered?

Policy documents

Only a summary of the policy's coverage is presented on this page. 
Read these documents to fully understand what is and isn't covered

Rivr Home Insurance Policy Wording
Rivr Home Insurance IPID
Policy overview

Your excess

Your excess as detailed in your policy schedule.

Wear and tear

There is no cover for wear and tear, or anything that happens gradually.

Building works over £75,000

There is no cover for loss or damage resulting from building works that cost more than £75,000.

General maintenance and decoration

There is no cover for general maintenance and decoration costs.

Existing and deliberate damage

There is no cover for loss or damage occurring outside your period of insurance, or caused intentionally or through criminal acts by you.

Defective design, breakdowns and faults

There is no cover for any loss, damage or liability as a result of design flaws, workmanship, or mechanical and electrical faults or breakdowns.

View full summary

Your excess

Your excess as detailed in your policy schedule.

Wear and tear

There is no cover for wear and tear, or anything that happens gradually.

Building works over £75,000

There is no cover for loss or damage resulting from building works that cost more than £75,000.

General maintenance and decoration

There is no cover for general maintenance and decoration costs.

Existing and deliberate damage

There is no cover for loss or damage occurring outside your period of insurance, or caused intentionally or through criminal acts by you.

Defective design, breakdowns and faults

There is no cover for any loss, damage or liability as a result of design flaws, workmanship, or mechanical and electrical faults or breakdowns.

Let properties and business use

There is no cover for any loss, damage or liability from any part of your home that is let or is used for business purposes.

Confiscation

There is no cover for loss, damage or liability from confiscation or holding your property from officials or authorities.

Unoccupied homes

There is no cover for losses when your home is unoccupied for over 45 days, and certain precautions listed in the policy wording have not been taken to safeguard your home and heating system during certain periods.

Warping or shrinkage

There is no cover for loss or damage due to warping or shrinkage.

Certain subsidence or heave damage scenarios

There is no cover for subsidence, heave or landslip in certain specific scenarios. See the policy wording for further details.

Some specific garden damage

There is no cover for damage caused by storm, flood, frost, fallen trees, or snow to certain garden structures such as fences, pergolas and hedges unless your home is also damaged by the same insured event.

Blocked drains and pipes

There is no cover for costs to clear blocked sewer pipes, drains, pipes or underground tanks unless damaged from an insured event.

Pollution and contamination

There is no cover for loss, damage or liability from pollution or contamination except in specific circumstances listed in the policy wording.

Nuclear and radioactive hazards

There is no cover for loss or damage or any legal liability from radioactive materials or nuclear components, or from potentially catastrophic events like radiation leaks.

War and terrorism

There is no cover for direct or indirect damages resulting from war, civil disturbances, or terrorist acts.

Policy documents

Only a summary of the policy's coverage is presented on this page. 
Read these documents to fully understand what is and isn't covered

Rivr Home Insurance Policy Wording
Rivr Home Insurance IPID

Additional cover, as standard

All of this is included as standard with our buildings, contents, and combined home insurance policies, meeting the needs of your mortgage lender, and supporting you whenever you need to make a claim.

Home emergency cover

Our home emergency cover helps protect against unexpected damage caused by plumbing failures, electrical faults, or broken locks and heating systems. It covers the cost of urgent repairs up to £2,500 per claim.

£2,500 emergency repair costs for issues like plumbing, heating, electrical faults, and damage to locks, doors and windows
£500 for overnight accommodation
£100 for alternative heating cover
£500 boiler replacement contribution
Specific conditions and exclusions apply, including issues caused by wear and tear or poor workmanship

Family legal protection

Our family legal protection covers the cost of legal advice and representation, with up to £100,000 for legal expenses relating to property, employment or consumer disputes.

Up to £100,000 to cover legal services and court action, including 24/7 access to legal advice
Up to £25,000 for legal costs in cases of personal identity fraud
Support for property damage or boundary disputes involving your main home
Legal help for employment tribunal disputes and breach of contract as an employee
Assistance with consumer contract issues, including defective goods or faulty workmanship
Cover is subject to eligibility criteria, exclusions, and policy terms. Please refer to your documents for full details.

Your liabilities

Covers property owner, personal and employer’s liability up to £10 million, helping protect you against legal claims if someone is injured or their property is damaged.

Property owner liability £5 million
Property owner’s liability up to £5 million under the Defective Premises Act
Irrecoverable judgements cover up to £5 million if a court-ordered payment to you cannot be collected
Tenant liability up to 20% of the contents sum insured for damage to rented properties
Covers legal costs up to the policy limit, including court-ordered compensation and certain additional costs arising from legal claims
Liability cover is subject to the terms, conditions, and exclusions outlined in Section 3 of your policy. These include limitations for business activities, unoccupied homes, and incidents not covered under standard terms. Please refer to your full policy wording for complete details.
support

Bespoke coverage through our dedicated advisors

Insurance can be complex, but we can guide you through 
it. Your dedicated rivr advisor is here to help you, whilst explaining our cover, answering questions, and ensuring 
you get the right coverage with confidence.

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Secure your cover 
in 3 simple steps

Our service really begins once you purchase cover. Manage your policy online - adjust your cover and manage claims. Dedicated specialist claims team if the worst happens.Your advisor is available anytime to support you.

01

Answer a few questions

Tell us about yourself, your home and what you are looking for.
02

Review your quote and conditions

Review your quote and any conditions of cover.
03

Accept your quote

Accept your quote and pay. That’s it.
complete flexibility

Easy 24/7 online access

You can manage your policy completely online.

Access your policy documents, update your cover and submit a claim anytime.

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Frequently asked questions

Is my home insured when I am carrying out renovations?

Normally home insurance providers will not cover your home if any building works are being carried out. At rivr we still insure your home when building works are being carried out as long as the contract for the works is less than £75,000. If the works are costing more than this we can arrange separate specialist cover for renovations through our specialist insurance partner.

What are the differences between standard buildings insurance and high-value buildings insurance?

Standard buildings insurance covers typical homes, while high-value buildings insurance is designed for properties with a higher rebuild cost or unique features. High-value insurance provides more extensive coverage for expensive materials, luxury finishes, and special architectural elements that may not be fully covered by a standard policy. It also often includes higher claim limits and additional protection options.

What is high-value buildings insurance?

High-value buildings insurance provides cover for the physical structure of your home. The cover extends to any outbuildings and most physical structures on your property. It is designed for homes that have a higher rebuild value, or that require specialist cover due it being constructed of a non-standard material or being listed.

Do I need high-value buildings insurance?

Generally, you need high-value buildings insurance if your home has a rebuild value over £1 million or it is built of non-standard materials or is Listed.

Do you insure listed buildings?

Yes we can insure Grade 1 or A Listed, Grade 2 or B Listed or Grade 2* Listed buildings.

How do I know who underwrites your policies?

The policy is insured by two of the largest insurance companies in the world, which are both A-rated for their financial strength. The Buildings, Contents and Liability cover is insured by HDI Global Specialty SE. The Home Emergency and Family Legal Protection cover is insured by AmTrust Specialty.

How much does high-value buildings insurance cost?

The cost of high-value buildings insurance depends on several factors, including the rebuild cost of your home, its location, any unique features, and the level of coverage you need. Premiums are usually higher than standard insurance because of the increased value and risk, but with this premium you receive broader and more extensive cover with higher limits than is available with standard home insurance.

Do you insure homes built of non-standard materials?

Yes we do insure most buildings that are made of non-standard materials like timber or wattle and daub, but these are evaluated on a case by case basis.

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