Indemnity Insurance of Adoption of Road or Sewer Mortgage Company conveyancing requirements

Barnsley BS and Virgin Money, in common with many banks, set their own requirements when it comes to adoption of road or sewer indemnity insurance. This page sets out to enlighten property law solicitors on the numerous bank approved list of panel lawyers where the title to be charged incorporates adoption of road or sewer. It is not a alternative for checking the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ handbook requirements for each mortgage company, for example Accord, Yorkshire Building Society or HSBC. The content on this page Is not to be read as adoption of road or sewer indemnity insurance advice.

Need help with adoption of road or sewer indemnity insurance from your lender?


Chelsea BS and RBS like most lenders, instructions are such that where adoption of road or sewer indemnity insurance is effected:

  • the limit of indemnity must satisfy the requirements for the bank (See Part II Handbook requirements )
  • your practice is obliged to reveal to the insurer all relevant information which you have acquired
  • you must send a copy of the adoption of road or sewer indemnity insurance to the borrower and explain to the mortgagor why the adoption of road or sewer indemnity insurance policy was effected and that additional insurance might be mandatory if there is additional lending against the security of the property
  • the adoption of road or sewer indemnity insurance policy must be placed on risk without expense to the bank
  • the adoption of road or sewer indemnity insurance policy should always be in favor of the bank and, if possible, for the benefit of the mortgagor and any next owner or lender. If the borrower will not be covered by the adoption of road or sewer indemnity insurance policy, the mortgagor must be advised accordingly.
  • your practice are responsible for approving the terms of the adoption of road or sewer policy on behalf of the lender
  • the adoption of road or sewer indemnity insurance policy must not contain conditions that you know would invalidate or prejudice the interests of the mortgage company
  • your firm is duty bound to spell out to the mortgagor that the borrower will need to adhere to any conditions of the adoption of road or sewer indemnity insurance policy and that the borrower should notify the mortgage company of any notice or potential claim in respect of the insurance
Regarding the extent of cover for the adoption of road or sewer indemnity insurance policy (or for that matter any indemnity insurance), consider the following sampling of Paragraph 9.2 of the UK Finance handbook PII requirements for banks:
Lender Requirement
Bank of Scotland Not less than mortgage advance plus 10%
Birmingham Midshires An amount equal to at least 110% of the purchase price or value, whichever is higher.
Coutts & Co The open market value of the property according to the valuation report.
Ecology Building Society An amount equal to at least 110% of the mortgage advance
Family Building Society An amount at least equal to the mortgage advance.
Intelligent Finance An amount at least equal to the total of the initial mortgage advance plus any pre-agreed reserve. These amounts will be shown in the mortgage offer.
Investec The open market value of the property according to the valuation report.
Landbay Partners An amount equal to 100% of the property valuation or purchase price (whichever is greater) plus 10%.
Landmark Preference for full market value of the property, but if this level of cover is not available, will accept a minimum of the actual loan amount. You must approve the policy on our behalf.
Lloyds The value of the property.
M&S Bank the value of the insurance must be for at least the full value of the property
Market Harborough Building Society Purchase price or valuation - higher of the two
Masthaven Bank An amount at least equal to the total mortgage advance. Any indemnity insurance policy must protect the borrowers, any successors in title and any mortgagee.
National Counties Building Society An amount at least equal to the mortgage advance.
Perenna The higher of the purchase price or valuation.
Scottish Building Society Amount of mortgage plus 25%.
State Bank of India UK The purchase price or value of the property, whichever is the higher.
RBS - Direct Line An amount equal to the value of the property.
Ulster Bank An amount equal to the value of the property.
Vida Homeloans It must be for a minimum of 110% of the purchase price or valuation, whichever is greater

Non lender-specific considerations

The extent of the terms for adoption of road or sewer indemnity insurance are explained in the policy document. Conveyancing solicitors should point the borrower to the adoption of road or sewer indemnity insurance policy itself. The intention of adoption of road or sewer indemnity insurance is to afford indemnity in respect of the risks set out in the policy schedule - so it’s important to check any draft to ensure it is as it should be. The lifetime of this non-investment insurance agreement is in perpetuity unless otherwise stated in the adoption of road or sewer indemnity insurance policy. Again, please check that this is as you expected.

Important characteristics and benefits of adoption of road or sewer indemnity insurance :

Protection via such a policy is to cover the risk of third parties looking to enforce rights that can affect the use of a property. Adoption of Road or Sewer indemnity insurance Cover normally includes
  • All other costs and expenses incurred by the Insured with the written consent of the relevant insurance company
  • Reimbursement for compensation incurred in any action regarding the risks specified in the adoption of road or sewer indemnity insurance, including incurred costs and expenses.
  • Diminution in value due to the successful enforcement of the risks specified in the adoption of road or sewer insurance.
  • The out of pocket expenses of altering or taking down all, or part of the development and the reinstatement of the land, insofar as such alteration, demolition or re-instatement is made necessary by court order.
  • All sums paid with the written consent of the insurance company to liberate the property from the risks specified in the adoption of road or sewer insurance.
  • The cost of works (including architects’ and surveyors’ fees) for the purpose of the development begun, or contracted for, prior to proceedings for the enforcement of the risks specified in the adoption of road or sewer indemnity insurance, to the extent that such costs are rendered abortive by court decision.

Don't forget to check what is excluded from the adoption of road or sewer indemnity insurance e.g. does the policy cover any property that has been altered within the 12 months prior to the policy being put on risk? Are legal costs covered?

Adoption of Road or Sewer Indemnity Insurance has limitations - Other considerations

There may be consequences arising from the enforcement of the risks identified in the adoption of road or sewer insurance which are not adequately covered by financial compensation.
Information provided on this webpage is for general information for conveyancers and solicitors in England and Wales on the the bank solicitor panel, it does not constitute advice for members of the public who should contact their lawyer for advice relating to the mortgage company indemnity insurance. Whilst we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct we do not make any representation or warranties of any kind about its completeness, accuracy, reliability or suitability. Any reliance you place on the information is strictly at your own risk. Lexsure will not be liable for any direct or indirect loss or damage arising out of or in connection with the use of this information. An important exclusion applying to most adoption of road or sewer Policies is if you make any contact with any party who might cause a claim under the Policy, it can invalidate the cover.

The content set out above covers to properties in England and Wales.