UK Government Homes for Ukraine Statement

For policies underwritten by LV, Munich Re, RSA and Aviva, all of these insurers are committed to supporting our customers who wish to share their homes with refugees displaced by the conflict in Ukraine.

These refugees will be considered as members of the policyholder’s household and all cover will apply as it would to any other person within that definition. There is no need for any policyholder to advise us in advance, although we understand that some may wish to do so for their own comfort.  

If, after 12 months, any individuals are still living with our policyholders, they will need to tell us then.

For customers who have Let Properties or Second Homes covered as additional properties under our Home Insurance products, and wish to use these to provide a home for refugees from Ukraine please note:

• In line with the ABI guidance policyholders should notify us in advance.
• The insurer’s usual premium, terms and conditions for a property where the policyholder is not resident will apply. In other words, the presence of Ukraine refugees will be treated no differently to second/holiday homes or let properties occupied by a family member or UK based tenants.

Ecclesiastical have agreed to support the ABI statements regarding temporarily housing refugees.  However, in respect of the ABI statement ‘Some insurers have committed to extending cover to include refugees as members of the household’ please note that Ecclesiastical have not committed to automatically extend cover in this way.

They will consider refugees as non-paying guests in our customers main residence covered under our Ultra and Ultimate policies. This means that the cover for any personal effects for refugees on any policy where Ecclesiastical is the Insurer, will be subject to Additional cover 9 – Guests’ Personal effects which excludes damage to items of jewellery and watches or money.

In respect of second properties (Second Homes or any Let property) where our insured is not living in this location, Ecclesiastical may consider these risks on an individual case by case basis.

Allianz have confirmed that where our Landlord policyholders are using their rental properties to host Ukraine refugees, they will consider them acceptable occupants without the need for a tenancy agreement. As per the ABI guidance the policyholder should advise us in advance.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will update if/when there are further changes. 

The insurance and long-term savings industry supports homeowners providing assistance to those displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including under the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme.

If you are a homeowner in the UK and want to temporarily house refugees who have been displaced from the conflict in Ukraine as non-paying guests in your home, you do not need to inform your insurer and your cover will remain the same. This applies for the first 12 months of any refugees living with you, including when your policy is due for renewal. After 12 months, if any refugees are still living with you, then you should tell your insurer when you next renew your policy.

Customers should be aware of any existing terms that might apply to non-paying guests within their insurance policy and contact their insurer if they wish to discuss their cover or other changes in circumstances. Some insurers have committed to extending cover to include refugees as members of a household.

If homeowners wish to house refugees displaced from the conflict in Ukraine in their second homes, guest homes or rental properties, or for longer than 12 months at their primary residence, they should discuss this with their insurer in the first instance.