Homeowners considering making structural improvements to their properties could invalidate their home insurance cover if they make mistakes, an industry figure has claimed.

Ashton Berkhauer, from uSwitch.com, told the Independent consumers should inform their insurers before undertaking any work as they could find their policies do not cover them for accidental damage.

Those who hire professionals to carry out the renovations may find they have professional indemnity cover but the provider may impose exclusions such as escape of oil or water or vandalism should they move out while the work is being done, Mr Berkhauer said.

"If you are making any structural changes to a property yourself, you will first need to inform your insurer. It will probably introduce certain exclusions such as accidental damage. So you will not be covered if you knock down the wrong wall and the top floor falls through," he told the news provider.

Confused.com recently claimed home insurance cover is highly recommended as consumers could incur a large bill if they are burgled and do not have protection.

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