home policies
27 January 2012
The dark nights cause plenty of homeowners concern, as 21% fear they are at the biggest risk of burglary during winter, according to Santander.
Their research shows that many people worry about their property and fear their home is more at threat during the dark winter months than at any other time throughout the year.
If you are concerned about protecting your home, one feature worth considering on your home insurance policy is home security, which will give you peace of mind during the dark winter nights.
Protecting your home from burglary
Home security is a service that is included as a part of home emergency cover, which means that your insurer will arrange for a certified contractor to come out and secure your property if it has broken or damaged windows and doors, which may compromise the security of your home.
Our data shows that only 13% of home buildings insurance policies provide home emergency cover as standard, while 46% offer this feature as an optional extra.
Out of those policies that can supply home emergency cover on your home insurance, 89% of them will ensure that an emergency contractor is sent to fix your windows and doors.
Protecting your home from theft can seem like a daunting task, but with the right level of cover on your home insurance, you can rest easy knowing that your home is protected during these dark nights.
If you are considering reviewing your home insurance policy, read our guide to home buildings insurance to see what other features you may want to review on your policy. Alternatively, if you are approaching the end of the term on your current home insurance policy, why not use our Star Ratings tool to compare your policy against others on the market, to ensure you get a product with the right level of cover for you.
6 January 2012
The first week back at work and school for many people was greeted by the havoc and chaos created by the recent gale force winds, which reached 100 mph in some parts of the country.
The Met Office has predicted there will be several more gale force storms affecting the UK over the next couple of days, while Direct Line has noticed a 300% increase in home claims in the past week.
According to their data nearly half of all the weather related home claims are for roof damage.
That is why it’s important to check whether you have the right level of cover on your home buildings insurance to ensure that your damaged roof gets repaired quickly.
We have highlighted a couple of features worth reviewing on your home buildings policy that may come in handy if you suffer roof damage.
Emergency roof repairs can be covered under home insurance
Home emergency cover is a feature that can be provided by an insurer who has an agreement with an approved contractor to carry out the emergency repair work.
Only 14% of home buildings insurance policies include this feature as standard, while 44% provide this feature as an optional extra, which means you will have to pay an extra premium.
However, if you do include this feature on your policy there are a few areas to be aware of. For example, some insurers will only pay the call out charge, or the labour charges up to a specified time limit. Other insurers may just pay costs for parts and materials or other alternative costs, again to a maximum amount outlined in the policy documents.
These limits are listed individually in the home buildings insurance policy documents. However, each insurer also puts in an overall limit on the amount they will pay out for a home emergency claim.
Our data shows that 26% of home buildings insurance policies provide £500 of cover, while 8% of policies offer up to £1,000 as the maximum limit for emergency home repairs.
If the roof damage to your home is so severe that you can no longer live in your home because it has been deemed too dangerous to stay, then your home buildings insurance could help you arrange alternative accommodation.
Your insurer may give you a pre-defined lump sum to help pay for the rent, while the roof damage is being repaired.
Our data shows that 15% of home buildings insurance policies offer between £30,000 and £50,000 to find alternative accommodation, while 44% of policies provide you with up to 20% of the amount insured on your home.
If you are unsure how much your policy will cover you for, then it is worth contacting your provider to find out.
As the severe weather and gales continue to batter the UK for the coming week, it may be a good opportunity to locate and review your home buildings insurance policy to ensure you have enough protection against roof damage. If you are considering your home building insurance options, why not use our comparison tool to compare your home buildings insurance policy against others on the market?
06 January 2012
More than half of all people renting a property in the UK have no cover for their personal possessions, according to the Post Office.
Their research also highlights that one in three people renting a property uninsured are worried about the lack of cover for their contents, with the main reason for not taking out any home contents insurance being blamed on the perceived cost of premiums.
Around 55% of people renting a property do not have home contents insurance, which is in stark contrast to the 17% of homeowners without cover.
These figures are of concern for the Association of British Insurers, who indicate that people renting are more likely to be victims of burglary, and that the large percentage of people not covered by home contents insurance are playing a risky game.
Not insuring the contents of your home could prove to be a costly mistake. While you may save money on insurance premiums in the short term, the cost of replacing your possessions would far exceed the price of cover.
Protect your possessions even if you are renting a property
If someone does burgle your home, your home contents insurance policy can help recover the costs of your stolen personal belongings.
It is important to ensure that you don’t just have cover for your valuable personal belongings, but have the right level of cover. One feature to look out for is the overall limit for valuables on your home contents insurance policy.
Our data shows that 8% of policies provide between £10,000 and £30,000 as the maximum limit for your valuable personal belongings, while 13% of products offer up to 30% of the overall amount that your contents are insured for.
Another limit to be aware of is the maximum level of cover provided for each individual valuable item.
Our data shows that 49% of home contents insurance policies provide between £1,500 and £3,000 for a single valuable item. It is important to be aware that some insurers can provide a higher single valuable item limit, however you can expect the cost of your premium to be slightly higher.
Another feature that home contents insurance policies provide is cover for money you have at home. If you are renting a property and it was burgled, our data shows that 61% of policies offer up to £500 to cover the theft of cash.
If you had a credit card stolen from your home, your home contents insurance policy could also help to protect you from any fraudulent use of your credit card.
Our data shows that 72% of home contents insurance policies provide cover against credit card fraud, and 29% of policies offer up to £1,000 to protect you from fraudulent transactions on your credit card.
If you are one of the many people renting a property who is worried about the lack of cover you have for your possessions, then it is a good idea to consider home contents insurance.
Take a look at our Guide to Contents Insurance for a complete overview of the features and benefits offered or use our Star Ratings tool to quickly identify policies with the level of cover you’re looking for.
13 December 2011
The Apple iPhone 4S and the iPad 2, along with 3D television sets, top the most wanted Christmas presents list this year.
As people scramble to get hold of this new technology for Christmas presents this year, insurers are issuing warnings to ensure you protect your possessions adequately from thieves.
Research from Aviva, shows that although Apple products, smartphones and 3D televisions feature heavily on the wanted list for Christmas presents, a number of these products also featured on the top 10 most stolen items last Christmas.
If you are planning on buying new technology for Christmas, you should check whether you have adequate cover on your home contents insurance to protect your possessions from thieves.
We have highlighted a couple of features to review to ensure you protect your new technology this year.
Protecting your Christmas presents from thieves
One feature that is certainly worth checking on your home contents policy is the total amount your contents are insured for - it is worth reviewing the current amount provided by your policy and revaluating the total cost of your contents in your home. It is essential this is done as insurers usually provide cover on a ‘new for old’ basis.
It is worth ensuring you have adequate cover to protect your new technology as the maximum amount you can insure your contents for varies from policy to policy – so check the details of your policy carefully.
Some insurers can set a maximum limit for a single item they cover, which means they will not pay out more than that limit to replace an item. They also sometimes set limits for ‘high risk’ items, which are often defined as most new technology.
Again, it is worth reading your policy documents carefully to ensure you have adequate cover as there is a varying level of coverage from product to product. Our data shows that only 12% of policies provide a stated amount of coverage on their policies.
As the festive period draws closer there are a number of ways to protect your home this Christmas and New Year. Simple tasks include
- ensuring you close and lock all windows and doors before you go out;
- not leaving Christmas presents under the tree in full view;
- not leaving discarded boxes such as laptops or TVs outside in view of potential thieves;
- keeping an eye out for suspicious people in your neighbourhood.
It is also worth reviewing your home contents insurance to ensure you have enough cover for Christmas presents. We have highlighted a key feature that is certainly worth checking and if you need more cover to protect your home contents and new technology, it is worth speaking to your insurer to see if they can increase your coverage – although there is a possibility that you may have to pay an extra premium for the added cover.
13 December 2011
More than 19 million people in the UK are at risk of their house being severely damaged from the big freeze this winter, according to Direct Line.
Their research highlights that 50% homeowners in London are yet to take any preventative action against the winter weather, while the North West, Scotland and Northern Ireland all seem better prepared for the big freeze than anywhere else in the country.
Last year saw the coldest winter on record, with the average temperature around minus 1 centigrade, where 3 million UK homeowners suffered damage to their homes, with most claims being made for burst pipes, broken boilers and damaged roofs.
Preparing for this year’s big freeze will mean checking the insulation in your home and ensuring you know what to do in an emergency.
This may also be a good opportunity for you to check that your home buildings insurance policy is up to scratch.
Cover for burst pipes
One feature worth reviewing on your home buildings insurance policy is cover for burst pipes, as winter weather can cause the water in the pipes to freeze and potentially burst.
The consequences of such an event could be major, with a high risk of flooding or substantial damage.
Cover for a burst pipe means that the insurance company will cover the cost of repairing any pipes that have burst or leaks in your heating system caused by the big freeze.
This feature can prevent you from being without heating or hot water for any substantial period of time during the big freeze.
Our data shows that 93% of home buildings insurance policies provide this feature as a part of their emergency home cover.
Home emergency cover
Home emergency cover is another feature that can be provided. This is where an insurer will have an agreement with an approved contractor to carry out emergency repair work, including fixing any problems with your broken boiler or securing the roof tiles on your home loosened by winter weather. This ensures you won’t be left without heating or running water for long.
Only 14% of home buildings insurance policies include this feature as standard, while 44% provide this feature as an optional extra, which will mean you will have to pay an annual premium for the service.
Property owner’s liability
It is important to be aware of your liability as a homeowner, as you will be legally responsible for any injury or damaged caused by your property, whether it is caused by a loose roof tile or flooding from a burst pipe.
It is worth checking to see if your policy provides any cover for property owner’s liability, which will protect you against the costs from the damage or injury. Our data shows that 91% of policies provide up to £2 million worth of liability cover.
As the big freeze begins and the winter weather is starting to set in, you may want to ensure your home is ready for the winter. One way to prepare is to review your home buildings insurance policy to ensure you have the right level of cover this winter.
We have highlighted a few features that may benefit you during the big freeze, so why not use our Star Ratings tool to compare your current home insurance policy against the others on the market in order to ensure you have the right level of cover for you.
30 November 2011
Homeowners have been warned that they could face huge call-out fees for emergency repairs this winter, says the AA.
They have been urging people to consider the costs of calling an engineer or repairman out for emergency repairs this winter.
The fees for an emergency call-out could be as high as £140, with electricians considered the most expensive with prices ranging from £76 to £94 on average for an emergency repair call-out.
Is there a way you can avoid paying these high costs for emergency repairs?
Home buildings insurance could help as some insurers provide home emergency cover with their policy.
Home emergency cover can stop high call-out fees
If you do have home buildings insurance, it is worth checking your policy carefully to see if you have home emergency cover included.
Our data shows that 46% of home buildings insurance policies offer the option of a home emergency cover service, where you can call them out for emergency repairs for an added annual premium.
Our data shows that 50% of home buildings policies with this feature charge between £39.99 and £79 per year for home emergency cover.
If you choose to not take the separate home emergency cover service then you could choose to make a claim on your home buildings policy.
75% of home buildings policies offer a feature that covers emergency repairs, which covers the call-out fee, parts and labour up to a maximum limit set by the insurer.
The limit for the amount your insurer will cover you for any emergency repairs vary from policy to policy.
Our data shows that 48% of home buildings policies provide a limit of up to £500 to cover emergency repairs, while 14% offer a maximum of £1,000.
It is worth bearing in mind that although your home buildings insurance policy can protect you, your insurer will only pay out for the costs if one of their registered tradesmen is called.
As winter draws ever closer, the importance of covering yourself against home emergencies is imperative, particularly if it means having no hot water, heating or electricity. We highlighted a couple of ways of covering yourself this winter, either by taking out a home emergency cover policy along with your home insurance, or claiming directly from your home buildings policy.
If you are looking to change or upgrade your home buildings insurance policy to ensure it has emergency repair features, why not use our Star Ratings tool to compare your current policy against others on the market?
15 November 2011
The National Associations of Estate Agents (NAEA) is advising homeowners to prioritise house security when moving into a new home.
Their warning comes as the number of break-ins is reportedly on the rise. One way to protect your personal belongings is with home contents insurance.
Protect your belongings with the right level of home contents cover
The NAEA have highlighted a few steps you can take to protect your home from break-ins and thieves. However, home insurance can help if thieves do steal or damage any of your personal belongings.
Your valuable personal belongings can be protected by your policy. It is worth looking out for the valuable inner limit, which is the overall amount your valuables are insured for, and also the maximum amount your insurer will pay for one valuable item.
Our data shows that 13% of policies provide between £5,000 and £10,000 as the maximum amount your valuables are insured for, while the same amount of policies offer up to 30% of the overall amount that all your personal belongings are covered for.
For a single valuable item, 44% of home contents insurance policies provide between £1,000 and £2,000, while 32% of products provide cover between £2,500 and £15,000 for one valuable item.
It is worth evaluating the cost of your most expensive valuable item to ensure you get the right amount of coverage to cover your personal belongings adequately.
Along with protecting your valuable items, it is important to be aware of what level of cover you have to protect money and credit cards from theft.
Our data shows that 60% of products offer up to £500 to cover the theft of money from your home.
If you had a credit card stolen when your house was burgled, your home contents insurance policy could also help protect you from any fraudulent use of your credit card.
Our data shows that 72% of home contents insurance policies provide cover against credit card fraud, and 29% of policies offer up to £1,000 to protect you from fraudulent transactions.
If you are a keen cyclist or use one for commuting to work, then fear not, because your home insurance can protect your bicycle.
One feature to look out for is the total amount your bicycle is covered for.
Our data shows that 75% of policies will provide cover for each bicycle in your home up to the maximum amount that all your personal belongings are covered for, while 7% of policies provide between £250 and £500 as the maximum limit for one single bicycle. If you have a valuable bike, it’s worth checking your policy details carefully to ensure that it’s covered.
If you are moving house then it is worth ensuring that you have the right level of cover to protect you and your family in the event you are burgled. We have highlighted a few features worth reviewing, but you can also use our Star Ratings tool to compare your home contents insurance policy against others on the market.
11 November 2011
London and the South East are most likely to suffer subsidence from winter weather, according to research by Direct Line.
They highlight the ten hotspots where subsidence is likely to occur, with the South East more likely to suffer than other parts of the country due to the soils in the region containing more clay.
As the winter weather draws in, your home is at greater risk from damage caused by the elements, whether this may be from subsidence, blocked drains or frozen pipes. We have highlighted a few features worth looking out for on your home buildings insurance policy, which could help cover the costs of repair work needed to your home.
Features that would give protection from winter
Our data shows that all standard home buildings insurance policies provide cover for subsidence as standard, up to the maximum amount your house is insured for.
However, 96% of home buildings insurance policies require you to pay £1,000 up front as an excess for any repair work needed for subsidence, so it’s worth checking the details of a policy before renewing or switching providers..
Another feature worth considering on your home insurance policy is cover for clearing blockages in sewer pipes.
This means that if your drains are blocked and you have been unsuccessful trying to clear the blockage, your insurer will cover the costs of an engineer breaking in to the pipes and clearing the blockage, and also for any damage caused to any cables nearby up to a maximum limit outlined in your policy.
Our data shows 37% of home buildings insurance policies provide this feature, while 9% offer this as an optional feature with accidental damage.
Another feature certainly worth considering as protection from winter weather is cover for burst pipes. This covers you for any damage caused to your water or heating system by freezing winter weather.
Your insurer will cover the cost of any damage caused to the pipes in your home, ensuring that you won’t be without heating or hot water for any substantial period of time during the winter.
It is worth thinking about the level of protection you have for your home against winter weather and its effects. We have highlighted a few features worth considering but you can use our Star Ratings tool to compare your home buildings policy against others on the market to ensure you have the right level of cover.
03 November 2011
36% of homeowners have admitted that it would take being burgled to consider insuring their personal belongings, according to the Post Office.
Their research shows that out of the 11 million people without home contents insurance, 18% of homeowners would consider insurance after a friend or relative was burgled.
58% of those uninsured feel that home contents insurance is either too costly, a waste of money or they simply believe they don’t need cover.
Home contents insurance offers a wide level of cover for your personal belongings in your home and can provide protection for any theft, loss or damage caused to the personal belongings in your house.
Home contents insurance can protect you after being burgled
If someone has burgled your house, your home contents insurance policy can help recover the costs of your stolen personal belongings.
It is important to ensure you have the right level of cover for your valuable personal belongings. One feature to consider is the overall limit for valuables on your home contents insurance policy.
Our data shows that 14% of policies provide between £10,000 and £30,000 as the maximum limit for your valuable personal belongings, while 13% of products offer up to 30% of the overall amount that your contents are insured for.
Another limit to be aware of is the level of cover provided for each individual valuable item.
Our data shows that 29% of home contents insurance policies provide between £2,500 and £5,000 for a single valuable item.
Another feature that home contents insurance policies cover is money you have at home. If you were to be burgled, our data shows that 61% of products offer up to £500 to cover the theft of cash from the home.
If you had a credit card stolen when your house was burgled your home contents insurance policy could also help to protect you from any fraudulent use of your credit card.
Our data shows that 72% of home contents insurance policies provide cover against credit card fraud, and 29% of policies offer up to £1,000 to protect you from fraudulent transactions on your credit card.
If you do have valuable personal belongings that need protecting from theft, then it is worth reviewing the features on your home contents insurance policy to ensure that you have a sufficient level of cover. Why not use our Star Ratings tool to find home contents insurance policies and compare them against others on the market?
