May 30th, 2009 → 2:48 pm @ admin
When you get a home insurance quote you will be asked for various pieces of information upon which your home insurance premium – and level of cover – will be based. This includes the sum insured, the rebuild cost, contents value, voluntary excess and the value of possessions away from the home. We explain what these mean so that you can get a quote with confidence.
What is the sum insured?
The sum insured is the amount of money your home is insured for. It is the maximum value your home insurance company will pay regardless of the type of claim you may have.
When you take out a home insurance policy with an insurer they will ask you a series of questions and then use the answers you provide to calculate your premium. This means that the price of your insurance policy has been based solely on the information you have provided – insurance companies don’t generally come to your home to help you with the valuation of your contents and assessing the condition of the building.
If you underinsure the value of your contents, usually the insurance company will only cover you to the value of the agreed sum insured. For example, let’s say that ‘Bob’ has £5,000 worth of electrical equipment in his home but only insures it for half that cost at £2,500. Bob is then burgled and has all his electrical equipment stolen. The insurance company will only pay out to the value of £2,500 – leaving Bob £2,500 out of pocket.
So you can see it is well worth your while to be as accurate as possible when calculating the contents cover you need. And remember, if you buy a new sofa, dining suite or widescreen television for example, you’ll need to increase the value of your insurance to cover the increased costs of replacing them.
How do I calculate my home insurance requirements?
Buildings
The rebuild cost of your home is the cost of rebuilding your property if it is destroyed by fire etc. You should remember that the market value of your home does not reflect the rebuild cost as the latter doesn’t include the value of the land the property stands on. The rebuild cost of your property can usually be found on your mortgage agreement, or on the deeds to your home. This figure should be index-linked in line with inflation. Clearing of the land and surveyors fees should be taken into consideration as well as the cost of replacing the property.
A Rebuilding Cost Assessment is normally carried out by taking detailed measurements of the house and using the rebuilding cost information provided by BCIS (Building Cost Information Service). However, this may not be appropriate in certain circumstances, where the method of rebuilding cost assessment will need to be specially agreed.
For more information on the rebuild cost for your property, please visit the Building Cost Information Service*.
You can also use the sum insured calculator ( http://abi.bcis.co.uk/)* supplied by The Association of British Insurers to work out how much to insure your home for.
Contents
The best way to work out how much to insure your contents for is to make a list of all your possessions and their cost. If you do it room by room you will know what is in each which will make it easier if you have to make a claim. You should check the cover under your policy for items such as jewellery and art work as you may have to take out additional cover for them. Once you’ve completed your list, you will be able to tell your insurance company an accurate costing for your assets and possessions. Most insurance companies will set a maximum limit per item, usually around £1,500, so if you do have items with a higher value – perhaps an engagement ring, a watch or widescreen television, for example then you will need to list these separately on the policy.
Although calculating the value of your contents is a time consuming exercise, it is essential that you don’t underestimate how much it will cost to replace these items as you may well find yourself out of pocket should you make a claim.
What is an excess?
An excess is the contribution you agree to pay towards any claim. The excess is split into two different types, compulsory and voluntary excess.
Compulsory excess
This is an amount of money your insurance company requires that you will have to pay towards any claim made on your home insurance policy. Normally it is deducted from the settlement made to you by the insurance company.
Voluntary excess
This is an amount you agree to pay towards a claim on top of the compulsory excess you must pay. The higher your voluntary excess, the lower your premium will be.
If I take property out of my home am I covered?
Some home insurance policies include cover for certain items that you take outside of your home, such as the jewellery you wear, your mobile phone or other handheld gadgets, a bicycle or the contents of your handbag for example, and most will let you buy additional cover which is known as Personal Possessions or All Risks cover. You’ll need to check your policy to see if it includes Personal Possessions cover.
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May 30th, 2009 → 2:48 pm @ admin
Get a home insurance quote
Home insurance explained
Your home and its contents is likely to be the biggest investment of your life, so it’s pretty much guaranteed that you’re going to want to protect it with a good home insurance policy. To help you make a more informed choice, we’ve compiled a home insurance guide that explains what home insurance is, why you need it, what information you’ll need to provide when you get a quote and how you can lower your risk to reduce your premium.
So what is home insurance and why do I need it?
Home insurance covers two areas – buildings insurance, which will cover you for physical loss and damage to your property, and contents insurance which protects the possessions and furniture you keep in your property.
Buildings insurance covers the structure of your home and its permanent fixtures and fittings, such as fitted kitchens and sanitary ware. Many policies also include cover for outbuildings such as greenhouses, sheds and garages along with accidental damage to underground pipes, cables and glass in doors and windows. It’s important that you check any policy you are thinking of buying carefully to see what it covers.
Buildings insurance typically covers damage caused by flood, fire or subsidence, theft, storms or malicious damage.
It’s worth noting that when you take out a mortgage, most lenders make it a condition that you have buildings insurance in place. They may themselves give you a quote for buildings cover, but don’t feel obliged to take out the cover they offer – instead it makes sense to shop around and find a policy that is best suited to your needs both cover wise and financially.
Contents insurance is just as important to protect the valuable possessions you gather through the years. Imagine being broken into and having all of your electrical items stolen. A good quality insurance policy will not only give you peace of mind that you can get the items replaced, but knowing you are properly covered can considerably ease the distress caused by having to make a claim.
A good guide for contents insurance is that it should include just about everything you would take with you if you moved house such as furniture, household goods, kitchen equipment, frozen food and drink, televisions, cds, computer and audio equipment, personal items and valuables.
Many people don’t realise how much it would cost to replace their clothing should anything happen to it. Whether you have a wardrobe full of designer clothes or you prefer high street fashions, the cost will soon add up.
Common contents claims can arise from being burgled or a fire, but a policy may also cover you if your possessions are damaged or lost as a result of an explosion, a water leak or if your home is vandalised.
Many insurers cover the cost of replacing locks if your keys are stolen, but you should check if there is an excess to pay for this type of claim as it could be more expensive than the cost of replacing them yourself. Most policies offer accidental damage but the extent of cover varies between insurance companies. You can sometimes add extra accidental damage cover to the policy for an additional cost.
What about additional protection?
Most insurance policies offer additional areas of protection, such as accidental damage cover, home emergency cover and legal expenses cover etc. These may be included as standard within your home insurance policy or you may have to pay extra to have them included. Check the policy documents to see exactly what is covered and if you then decide you want more protection, you can pay extra for more cover.
Are all home insurance policies the same?
Insurance companies offer a range of different policies depending on what you need to cover. Some offer ‘new for old’ contents cover, which means that if your possessions are ruined, they will be replaced with new ones, whereas other companies provide ‘wear and tear’ cover where a percentage of what you are paid will be deducted for depreciation (similar to buying a car, where its value reduces each year of use).
What policy documentation will I receive?
Once you have taken out a home insurance policy, your insurance company will send you:
* A demands and needs statement that outlines the information upon which your insurance is based
* An insurance schedule
* A ‘keyfacts’ policy summary
* A policy booklet (or they will tell you where you can access one)
The policy booklet sets out all the terms and conditions of your policy. It will tell you exactly what your policy covers and what to do if you need to contact your insurance company.
Remember! You should always read all the documents sent to you to make sure all the details are correct and that you have the level of cover you need. If you have any concerns or queries, contact your insurer.
If the information you give to your insurer is not correct, it could invalidate your insurance if you have to make a claim against your policy, which means the insurer may not pay out for your claim.
You also need to tell your insurance company everything you believe to be relevant or important that may affect your policy.
Remember! Keep all your policy documents in a safe place just in case you do need to make a claim.
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May 30th, 2009 → 2:45 pm @ admin
Student contents insurance
Protect your possessions in your house, flat, shared accommodation or halls of residence
We’d like to introduce Endsleigh*, our preferred provider for student contents and possessions insurance.
Endsleigh is the UK’s leading student insurance provider and is the sole insurance provider recommended by the National Union of Students (NUS). With student contents insurance you can cover your possessions in your house, flat, shared accommodation or halls of residence, whether it’s just one item, selected items of your choice or the
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May 30th, 2009 → 2:44 pm @ admin
Holiday home insurance
Holiday home insurance quotes for properties in the UK and overseas
With Intasure*, our preferred provider of holiday home insurance quotes, you can protect your property against most eventualities, whether it is occupied, unoccupied or let. You’ll also benefit from emergency travel assistance in the event of a claim.
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May 30th, 2009 → 2:44 pm @ admin
Landlord insurance
Compare landlord insurance quotes for buildings and contents
With Simply Business*, our preferred provider for landlord insurance, you can get quotes for buildings only and buildings and contents cover.
With landlord insurance you can protect your property against risks including fires and floods and add cover for accidental damage, loss of rent and tenant default.
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May 30th, 2009 → 2:43 pm @ admin
Do tenants need insurance?
As a tenant you will not normally need to take out buildings insurance as this is the responsibility of your landlord.
However, if you are renting an unfurnished property, then tenants’ contents insurance is essential if you want to protect your personal possessions against insured risks such as flood, fire and theft. Many tenants mistakenly believe that their landlord’s insurance will provide sufficient cover for their needs – it won’t. In reality a landlord’s insurance policy will normally only cover the building itself and its permanent fixtures and fittings.
Even if you are renting a partly- or fully-furnished property and your landlord has additional cover in place for the contents in it, the policy is unlikely to cover your personal belongings – for example jewellery, cameras, bicycles, handheld gadgets, sports equipment, laptops, games consoles, musical instruments and clothing. So even where the bulk of the items within the property belong to your landlord, the highest value items may still belong to you; this is where tenants’ insurance can give you valuable peace of mind.
Tenants’ insurance guide
Tenants’ insurance guide
Our tenants’ insurance guide gives you the facts about insurance for renters, so you can buy online with confidence.
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May 30th, 2009 → 2:40 pm @ admin
A leading motorbike insurance provider has unveiled a new marketing campaign as part of its efforts to rebrand.
Bennetts’ new adverts feature the slogan “Whatever You Ride” and have been created to highlight the cheap motorbike insurance that the company claims to provide.
The company has also redesigned its website to coincide with the promotional drive, in the hope that consumers will now find it easier to navigate.
Paul Galligan, director at Bennetts, said: “We went through a complete creative review earlier this year to ensure Bennetts maintains its number one position in the bike insurance market, delivering cut-through in an increasingly competitive market.
“At a time when people across the UK are watching every penny, we at Bennetts are going that extra mile to ensure bikers get the best insurance deals.”
Bennetts is part of the BLG Group of insurers, which also includes firms such as van insurance provider Budget.
May 30th, 2009 → 2:38 pm @ admin
The theft of Conservative leader David Cameron’s bicycle has highlighted the need for people to have such items covered as part of home insurance, it has been claimed.
According to AA Insurance, the incident, which is the second time the politician has had his bike stolen in the past year, shows that homeowners must ensure their home insurance policies include cover for items taken away from their properties.
Simon Douglas, the director of the company, also claimed that the theft could be the tip of iceberg.
“We could see a Himalayan peak in cycle theft this summer as the recession makes the bike an ever more sought-after item,” he explained.
“This episode reinforces the need to check your insurance to make sure your bike is included. Make sure your bike is adequately covered and adequately secured.”
Last month, figures from the AA revealed that the average quoted premium for home insurance rose by over £3 during the first three months of this year.
Useful links
* News homepage
* News archive
* May 2009 articles
* Home insurance articles
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May 30th, 2009 → 2:37 pm @ admin
Tesco offers home cover discount
A leading supermarket retailer has confirmed it is now offering a discount on its home insurance products for a limited period.
Tesco has announced it is offering new customers 45 per cent off their premiums if they apply for a home insurance quote online.
However, the company has also warned that interested parties only have until May 27th to take advantage of the deal.
Jim Bruce, head of Tesco Home Insurance, said: “We are aware of the strain on people’s finances at the moment. This offer could help reduce one of the necessary living costs.
“Customers can trust us to provide them with cover to suit their needs, protecting them against unforeseen events.”
It is not the first time Tesco has introduced such a deal this year, as it announced in February it was offering a 20 per cent discount on premiums to consumers who received an online quote for car insurance for a limited period.
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May 27th, 2009 → 3:47 pm @ admin
Empty homes provide summer burglars with easy pickings
In the excitement of preparing for your holiday, double checking your home cover is up-to-date might not seem very appealing.
But when you leave your home empty you leave it at risk, so it is absolutely essential that you make sure it is secure and protected.
The summer is a peak time for burglaries, with 42% more theft claims than in the winter months according to Saga Home Insurance, which also says that nearly half of all burglaries occur when a home is empty.
What should you do to protect your home?
You need to do everything you can to make it look as though you are still at home.
Measures such as cancelling the milk and newspapers, and getting timers on your lights can be helpful, but it’s also worth asking a friend or member of the family to act as a housesitter while you are away, or at least to push any protruding post through your letter box.
Decent window and door locks are vital, as is a burglar alarm (according to recent research from Confused.com, 16 million homes in the UK do not have an alarm fitted), and having these in place could also reduce your home insurance premiums.
Also look at access to your back garden or the side of your property. Do you have a sturdy gate with a lock, or is it easy for somebody to access your land without being seen?
Whatever you do, don’t leave a spare set of keys in the garage or shed – even if you think they are well hidden.
Ensure you insure your property
These preventative measures are important but the reality is that burglaries still happen. They are always upsetting and some things are irreplaceable, but knowing that home insurance could recompense you for your belongings is invaluable.
Yet despite this, Confused.com estimates that almost 10 million households in the UK do not have any form of home insurance.
Is your home underinsured?
Even those who do have contents insurance are often significantly underinsured. This happens because, as we increase our possessions over time, we tend to forget to increase our contents insurance to cover the extra value. This is a potentially expensive problem, particularly when you consider that research by Sainsbury’s found that the cost of replacing the contents of the average British home is £45,000.
Cover your car
If you are taking your car on holiday you might be making long car journeys or driving in unfamiliar areas. A bump on holiday could be costly and comprehensive car insurance could save you hundreds of pounds.
Even if you are leaving the car at home this year, it could be at risk of theft. If you only have third party cover, upgrading could be a smart move and needn’t mean vastly increased premiums.
Whatever you do, don’t neglect your home and possessions when you go away. It can cost surprisingly little for the peace of mind that your property is protected.
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