A new professional indemnity insurance scheme for EWS1 (external wall fire review form) assessors is now available, after many months in development.

Initially announced in February of this year, and scheduled for delivery in September, the new scheme is delivered by MGAM through an insurance provided by SCOR UK, and reinsured by the government.

There is a significant shortage of insurance companies willing to provide PI cover to firms undertaking assessments of external wall systems in mid- and high-rise residential buildings in the UK. Individuals living in leasehold homes have for years found themselves unable to move or remortgage due to the unavailability of obtaining the EWS1 form, which is required by mortgage providers to prove that any external wall of a building constitutes a low fire risk.

Aon is acting as the government’s insurance advisor for the scheme.

Julie Page, CEO of Aon UK, said: “Building this sustainable solution addresses an important protection gap in the market, and this collaborative effort, along with MGAM and SCOR, shows the power of public private partnerships. The solution itself will also help alleviate the pressure on a significant proportion of affected leaseholders who are currently unable to sell or re-mortgage their properties – and allows us to play a part in addressing issues impacting people’s lives.”

The scheme is expected to be in place for five years. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities says it hopes that insurers will have stepped back in to the market by 2027.

Property surveyors may access details about the scheme as well as options to purchase here:
https://ews1gateway.co.uk/

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