Home Insurance Explained

What Sort of Excess Would I Pay on my Home Insurance Policy?

What is the Difference Between Contents Insurance and Buildings Insurance?

With home insurance you can opt for either buildings cover alone or buildings and contents cover.  The difference between the two is that your buildings insurance covers for the main structure of the home as well as providing insurance cover for the cost of your homes fixtures and fittings.

What is NOT Covered by my Buildings Insurance?

Buildings and contents insurance, can seem bamboozling at times, but in order to have peace of mind it is necessary to have buildings insurance.  It may surprise you to learn that many companies offer standard buildings insurance

What Does my Contents Insurance Cover for?

Contents insurance, covers for all of the things that your buildings insurance doesn’t cover for.  So while your buildings insurance is put in place to cover for the main structure of the building, along with permanent fixtures and fittings such as sinks, taps and basins etc.

What Does Buildings Insurance usually Cover?

Buildings insurance is usually compulsory if you have a mortgage, and most mortgage providers insist that you take out buildings insurance.  Buildings insurance basically covers for the main structure of your home

What Amount Should I Insure My House for on my Buildings Insurance?

Before deciding on the amount which you think your house is worth and needs insuring for, there are a few things to take on board.  You need to decide exactly what the buildings insurance is to protect against.

I Live in a High Flood Risk Area

In recent years there has been a lot written about flooding, and in certain areas flooding has become an increasing problem.  Some areas, which have never been flooded previous have experienced flooding over the latter few years.

How Would an Insurance Claim be Settled?

Making that all important claim on your home insurance, should be pretty straight forward.  You will need your policy documents when making a claim as the customer service representative will usually as you for your policy number.

How Do I Make a Claim on my Insurance Policy?

Although many of us have buildings and contents insurance, not many of us have actually made a claim.  When it comes to making a claim though it is important that you have kept them all important insurance policy documents safe, as your insurance company will usually need to know your policy number when it comes to making a claim.

How can I save money on my home insurance?

At one time of the day people used to stick with the same insurance company, believing that this was the better and cheapest option.  Nowadays, sticking with the same home insurance company does not pay.  The evolution of the internet, has made it easy for companies to advertise their products and services

My home insurance is currently with my mortgage provider, am I allowed to switch?

When you purchase your home, usually you need a mortgage.  As part of most mortgage agreements, the mortgage provider will require you to take out buildings insurance.  The easiest way of doing this at the time of setting up the mortgage is to go through the mortgage provider

Are my personal belongings covered on my contents insurance if I take them out of my home?

Standard home insurance with most companies will cover you for the theft of personal possessions within the home, but not all specify as to whether or not this includes for if you take them away from your home.  There are some companies, such as the Co-operative, who offer an optional extra policy on their home contents insurance, this is a personal possessions insurance.

Why do I need home insurance?

Have you never considered having home insurance, if not, why not?  Home insurance is put in place by the policy holder so that they have peace of mind that should the worst happen, that they are completely covered.

What is home insurance?

Home insurance is a product which offers peace of mind, so that if you were to have a break in, or your home was damaged by fire an insurance would be in place.

What happens after I submit a home-insurance claim?

All insurance companies work differently, so processing a claim and the procedure can vary from company to company.  A small claim can pretty much be dealt with straight away, where as a big claim

What does the insurance term voluntary excess refer to?

Home insurance can be complicated enough without having to think about excess.  The term excess is not just used in home insurance, but is used in car insurance to.

What amount of money should I insure my contents for?

Every household is different and when it comes to contents insurance, we all own different types of equipment, so many households will need more in the way of home contents insurance, than other people.

Is it possible to increase the sum I have insured on my home insurance?

The sum that you have your property insured for is usually based on the typical cost it would be to rebuild your property.  This sum has no reflection on the current market value of your property

I have accidental cover on my insurance policy, what does this mean?

Home contents insurance covers for things which are not covered by your buildings insurance.  It is usually necessary that you have in place buildings insurance

I am moving home, would it be possible to transfer my claim from one house to another?

It is important to inform your insurance company that you are moving home.  The home insurance that you currently have in place covers for the house and the contents that you are living at.

How would I find out if the rebuild cost of my home is correct on my home insurance?

Insurance companies nowadays will take into consideration all the information that you give them when you apply for home insurance on your building.  Most will offer a sum of money which covers for every eventuality

From an insurance perspective, what does the term new for old mean?

New for old usually means that if you have suffered loss or damage to a particular item, ie. your television has been damaged accidentally, then you would be due to receive a replacement when you claim on your home insurance.

Does home insurance cover for bicycles?

Every home insurance policy differs, a home insurance policy can cover for most things around the home.  There are certain things that the insurance company won’t cover for, but generally most items are covered.

Can I rent my property out on the same home insurance policy?

A standard home insurance policy for your property doesn’t usually cover for renting the property out.  You are usually required to have what is known as landlords insurance.

Can I pay in instalments for my home insurance?

Home insurance can usually be paid for up front or in monthly instalments.  There is usually no extra charge to pay monthly.  It is advisable to shop around the market before committing yourself to any home insurance policy.

Can I get a no claims discount on my home insurance?

A no claims discount is given to you via the insurance company, if you have not had any claims in a set amount of time.  It entitles you, as a policy holder a reduction in the amount of money that you pay for your insurance premium.

Can I expect a discount if I have both door and window locks?

The amount you can expect to pay for household insurance, will depend on many factors.  The security you have within the home, whether your house is alarmed

Are the contents within my home insured for business use?

Home contents insurance provides cover for all the things that your buildings insurance doesn’t cover.  So while your buildings insurance will cover you for the structure of your home and permanent fixtures and fittings

Are locks and keys covered by home insurance?

Home insurance is broken down into two sections.  Buildings insurance, which covers the main structure of your home and everything which is considered to be static in your home.