On the BBC website and a couple of other sites I have come across it states that it is possible to take out insurance to cover incidents like gazumping / vendor not vacating / vendor changing their mind, etc. so that you can recover any lost fees.  However I have been unable to find any companies that offer this.  Does anybody know if it actually exists and who might offer it?  We were going to be moving to Liverpool but I have now got a job in Warwickshire so we are going to move there - it's much more expensive than Liverpool so can't afford to lose money through gazumping, etc!

You could try asking a couple of estate agents - I would have thought they would be the ones selling insurance like that?

That's a good idea - thanks. :-)

Can't remeber the name that is used but it is 'something indemnity'.  This is an insurance that should the vendor back out or the like you are covered.  Your solicitor will be able to tell you about it.  Could I point out one thing that an awful lot of people don't know, Gazumping is only the case when someone goes over the asking price.  People have this misconception that once an offer is accepted (even if under the asking price) then anyone that comes in with a slightly higher offer is gazumping them.  The only way to stop gazumping is if you offer the asking price.  The other way to cover yourself is to ask for a quick exchange with a delayed completion.  At that point the vendor is honour bound to sell to you or can be put on to pay all out of pocket expenses.  Worth looking at!