Guide to Holiday Home Insurance

Have you got the right insurance to cover your holiday home? If you’re lucky enough to own a holiday home in the UK, one downside is that you now have two properties to worry about. One way to lessen the stress is with home insurance.

Buildings insurance for a holiday home
Your holiday home insurance should cover exactly the same as your regular home insurance - the structure of your property, fixtures and fittings. Make sure your insurance policy is comprehensive and covers the full cost of the repair and rebuild of your holiday home, should the need arise.

Also check that you’re covered for subsidence and flooding if your property lies within a risk area, and read the small print to find out what your home insurance policy doesn’t cover.

Contents insurance for a holiday home
A good contents insurance policy will cover your furniture, carpets, clothes, ornaments, paintings and electrical goods. However, you may want to get additional insurance cover for extra piece of mind.

Examples of additional home cover include:

• Extended Accidental Damage
• Sports equipment or bicycle cover
• New for Old - claims paid on a new-for-old basis
• Family Legal Protection
• Guests’ Possessions Cover
• Garden equipment cover (can also include toys)
• Items in outbuildings/garage cover
• Locks and keys (to cover lost/stolen keys or damaged locks)
• Emergency Assistance – cover for temporary repairs due to a domestic emergency
• Cash/Credit Card – provides cover for theft
  

Contents cover can also be extended to include items that leave the home with you, such as laptop computers, MP3 players, cameras, SatNavs, handheld games consoles, mobile phones etc. (sometimes called an ‘All-Risk’ policy).

Important: There is one clause often found in home insurance policies that is of particularly relevance to a holiday home, and it has to do with the length of time the property is left empty.

Some insurance policies have restrictions on what they cover if a property is left vacant for a significant length of time, typically 30 days or more. This is obviously an extremely important point to consider with a holiday home, which may be left empty for lengthy spells.

A vacant home can be an invitation to burglars, so keep one step ahead of thieves by making arrangements to ensure the home is never left empty for any 30-consecutive-day period.

Top tip: You could get a reduction on your home insurance policy and your holiday home policy by beefing up security measures with the addition of secure mortis locks, intruder alarms and by joining neighbourhood watch schemes.

Sourced from http://www.confused.com/guides/household/home-insurance/confused-com-s-guide-to-holiday-home-insurance-3923288462

Home insurance claims rise during Wimbledon

Homeowners have been urged to make sure they have adequate home insurance in place during Wimbledon as the number of claims made usually increases, an insurance provider has revealed.

A study by Halifax home insurance showed that claims increased by more than a third during June of last year when compared to figures from January.

David Rochester, head of underwriting for Halifax Home Insurance, said: "During the summer months we often notice an increase in claims for broken windows and other accidental breakages.

"We'd advise any budding Murrays and Sharapovas to take care when playing ball sports close to home and check they are insured for accidental damage should a mishap occur."

Additional statistics from Halifax showed that Ipswich had the highest number of claims for replacing broken glass and windows during the tournament last year.

Second on the list was the region encompassing Stirling, Falkirk and Grangemouth, while Glasgow came third.

The Wimbledon tennis tournament begins on Monday 22 June.

Protect Your Home Whilst on Holiday

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.

Home Insurance - But What About the Garden?

As we continue through the global financial crisis, government figures and insurance company surveys are again and again reminding us that burglaries and thefts are on the rise as a result.

A particular spike in home insurance claims in North Wales has been reported by the region's Daily Post, calling for homeowners to be 'vigilant', as opportunist thefts continue to rise. But this notion of opportunism amongst thieves is also reflected in a report by The Guardian, which offers an intriguing twist on insuring your home.

So are we slacking off when it comes to garden property? And should we consider specialist insurance?

In Huma Qureshi's article, 'Protected your home against theft? Don't forget your shed', she states: 'Garden theft increased by 63% over the summer months last year from the previous year and is expected to rise again in 2009.' A fact that is all the more disturbing when we realise, as discovered by Marks and Spencer, that the average UK garden includes £700 worth of greenery, whilst our garden sheds contain £900 worth of equipment.

Gardening watchdog, Which?, claims that the items that have been going missing most frequently range from such likely things as bicycles, lawnmowers and tools, but can in fact include such odd pieces such as plant pots, heavy statues, and even trees.

Consequently, there are a number of issues that need to be addressed. Not only are such thefts a result of an increasing desperation amongst thieves to make quick cash, but over the last ten years there also seems to have been an increasing complacency amongst homeowners who do not realize the material (and sometimes, sentimental) worth of garden items until they are taken - at least by comparison to items they would store in the home.

There are simple methods to increase security of items, such as ensuring you store away equipment when it is not in use and being sure that your home insurance covers certain items even when they are left outside. Each insurance company will have different policies with varied degrees of cover, so it pays to check and research, yet the average for items in outbuildings is up to £2000, so it certainly makes sense to consider specialist insurance should you own any expensive equipment (such as lawnmowers etc) and/or anything of particular sentimental value.

Trying to Cut Costs? Post Office® warns that skimping on insurance might not be the best option

The recession is causing many of us to re-assess our outgoings. It might seem tempting to some, but Post Office® has issued fresh warnings today that cutting back on home and car insurance is not the best way to save on the pennies. Alongside fresh statistics that around 3,000 people die on UK roads as a result of car accidents, many are still looking to cut back on what should be a necessity – even though they are aware that having no car insurance is illegal.

Post Office® research is also showing an increase in customers who are switching from their existing “Comprehensive” policy to cheaper options such as “Third Party, Fire and Theft” and just “Third Party”. There has also been an increase in visitors to comparison websites and trends for other incentives in the industry such as cash-back which has been criticised for the confusion it can cause to some consumers.

Consequently, to ensure customers get the best cheap car insurance quote, the Post Office® has launched the simple and successful Quotefinder tool. Just type in your current premium price and challenge the Quotefinder to get you a better quote from its comprehensive database of top insurers, in seconds.

Despite reports elsewhere that premiums are on the rise, Post Office® is adamant that we are living in a buyers’ market currently in the UK. This is also particularly relevant to the home insurance industry where, again, many of us are eager to cut back on payments. Although the risks and legal issues may not be as serious when it comes to insuring your house, homeowners are being reminded that we are seeing an increase in burglaries and thefts. Most notably, cases of opportunist stealing from gardens and outbuildings such as sheds are expected to increase by more than 63 percent in comparison to two years ago.

And finally: consider your contents.

The Manbag is set to make an even bigger splash than it did last year, with celebrities such as David Beckham and Kanye West pioneering the look – and making the trendy holdalls even more desirable. Post Office® are warning that designer labels may necessitate specialist insurance, whilst their contents – which on average can amount to as much as £418 – might not definitely be covered by your existing home insurance.

Emma Baunach, of Post Office® Home Insurance said: 'It's important that men consider this a serious risk and take steps to protect their possessions by taking out personal possessions cover as part of their contents insurance.'

The Age of Insurance: Are we being discriminated?

The age of an individual has always been an issue when it comes to insurance. Yet, it seems that with the spotlight currently firmly on the industry as it finds itself at the heart of the economic crisis (at the same time striving to assure customers that cover is no less relevant and affordable), a wave of criticism regarding age discrimination by insurers has been seen in the media. So are we being discriminated against by insurance companies?

One of the issues that can be seen to hinder the trustworthiness of these discrimination claims is the fact that they seem to have been borne from the work of comparison websites. Without mentioning any comparison site specifically here (and I endorse the usefulness of such services), reports at moneynews.co.uk state of one site’s research which found “that young drivers pay more for their insurance”. (This is in April 2009 under the headline: Car Insurance Industry Rife with Discrimination.)

The first problem here is that this is nothing new: 17 and 18 year-old drivers have had to pay expensive premiums for car insurance cover for years now, and the shocker is that this is still increasing (as are most policies). I acknowledge, also, that a 17 year-old girl must pay 58 percent more than her 18 year-old friend – and this is alarming.

However, I do think we need to understand two things. The first is the process by which car insurance premiums are calculated for individuals with no or minimal driving background. Other than their peer group, where else can insurance companies look in order to ascertain the risk and its subsequent monetary equivalent? The second thing to remember is when the implied (or sometimes, outright stated) answer to a newsworthy issue is to compare quotes from different companies, possibly via a very hand comparison site, then such “reports” are likely to be biased.

That said, in a separate report at the same site (and with research carried about by the same comparison website), a more unfair and less justifiable trend has emerged in the travel insurance sector. The report, Travel Insurance Prices ‘Hiked Overnight’, states that a 66 year-old individual will pay an average of 106 percent more for a policy than a 65 year-old – a difference that is far more extreme, and which doesn’t appear to need to depend so much on a general peer risk assessment when an individual medical report and the risk of destination can be taken into account. I suppose the lesson here is to keep an eye on your policies with the same fervour you question your information sources.

How Home Insurance Complacency Can Cost You £££s

As the recession continues to take its toll, it's more important than ever to ensure you're not paying over the odds for cover. Recent findings show that British householders are overpaying on their home insurance by £1.3 billion per year*, and that almost 58 per cent of UK homeowners have not reviewed their policies in the last three years.**

No reward for home insurance loyalty

While it may be tempting to automatically renew your policy with the same provider year after year, this kind of complacency makes little financial sense. Insurers know most customers will do so without looking at what else is on offer, so tend not to pull out all the stops in a bid to keep your business. Instead, they concentrate on offering the most competitive prices to new customers.

Shop around for a better home cover deal

As insurance premiums can vary considerably, the golden rule is to spend time shopping around; you may be surprised at just how much you can save in a pretty short space of time. When doing your research, don't forget to look at the level of cover as well as price, as the cheapest deal may not necessarily be the most comprehensive.

Top tips to cut the cost of home cover

• Shop around using an insurance comparison site to see if you can bring down the price of your premium. Just a few minutes tapping away on your PC could result in savings of over £180.***
  
  
• Don't jump at the home insurance policy offered by your mortgage provider without checking whether you can get a better deal elsewhere, and don’t assume you have to take buildings and contents cover with the same provider. Search for the cheapest individual buildings policy and then for the cheapest contents policy.
  
  
• Further savings can be made by paying the whole year's premium annually rather than monthly, and by increasing the voluntary excess.
  
  
• Be aware that while under-estimating the value of your contents may have the attraction of cutting the cost of your policy, it could be disastrous if you have to claim. For more information, read what not to forget when applying for home insurance.
  
  
• Also ensure that you've got your ‘rebuild cost’ right. Many people think that rebuild cost is the same as the market value when it is really a lot less. A rebuild calculator will work this out for you automatically.
  
  
• Security improvements: a few additions to your home can also help you cut costs, such as installing a good alarm system, putting five-level mortice deadlocks on external doors, and adding key-operated locks to all accessible windows.
  
  
• Safety improvements: for a relatively small expense you can also fit smoke alarms and fire extinguishers - all of which can significantly reduce the price you pay.

Help with getting through the quote process

Finally, make sure you have your old insurance documents to hand when going through the quote process as this paperwork can be used for reference - and will save you from running around the house when asked what type of locks you have on the doors.

You can find more useful tips on reducing home insurance premiums here.

*Assumptions used - 44 per cent (source Mintel) of 16 million homeowners who have not reviewed their home insurance in the UK multiplied by the average home insurance saving by Confused.com customers in 2008 of £185.25.

**Mintel Home Insurance report 2008 and Mintel Aggregator report 2008.

***24% of customers who received a home insurance quote between 1^st January and 31^st March 2009 and provided a best alternative price saved over £180.74.

Home Insurance Fraud: Don’t Be Lured to the Darkside

When the going gets tough, the tough sometimes get fraudulent. Recent figures released by the ABI (Association of British Insurers) have shown a record level of fraudulent insurance claims, proving people are willing to use their insurance policies as a way of bringing in extra cash.

According to statistics, 2000 fraudulent claims are made every week, amounting to an estimated value of £14 million.

What is insurance fraud?

If you make an insurance claim for something that either hasn’t happened, or you know to be wrong, you’re committing insurance fraud.

How much fraud is there?

The most common form of fraudulent claims is for home insurance - 55,400 frauds were detected last year at an estimated value of £110 million.

Why are there so many claims?

There are more opportunities for fraudulent home insurance claims than for any other class of insurance.

Car insurance fraud, for example, requires a little planning to orchestrate a convincing accident or theft. However, spilling paint on your sofa in order to get a new three-piece suite, is much easier.

Who’s guilty of insurance fraud?

A YouGov survey of 3000 adults, showed one-in-five admitted they’d be tempted to cheat on their insurance - despite the likelihood of getting caught.

But if you think cheating’s a quick way to boost your bank account, think again – the insurance inspectors will be after you!

The crackdown on fraudsters

“Fraud thrives in a recession, so insurers are intensifying their crackdown on insurance cheats,” says Nick Starling, ABI’s Director of General Insurance and Health, on the ABI website.

Claimants may have to provide minute detail, and may even find forensic experts getting involved, all in an effort to stem the tide of fraudulent claims. And if found out, fraudsters may be blacklisted by insurers, or may even gain a criminal record.

Fraud makes home insurance more expensive

Cracking down also prevents honest policyholders paying the price.

“Fraud adds an extra £40 a year to the average premium,” says Starling, “which is why the harder we make it for the cheats, the more competitive premiums will be for honest customers.”

For more information on home cover, read Confused.com’s Home Insurance Buyer’s Guide.

Sourced from http://www.confused.com/featured-articles/household/home-insurance/home-insurance-fraud-don-t-be-lured-to-the-darkside-3540983065

Burglary Risk in UK - Lowest In Preston

People living in Preston may make a saving on their home insurance after a survey revealed that they are the least likely to be burgled residents in the country.

While those with London addresses are the most at risk, the Lancashire city is rated as the safest in the UK, according to research carried out by home insurance company Endsleigh.

The firm used household theft claims made by its policy-holders over a four-year period to rank areas.

Results showed that Preston residents were around 67% less likely to suffer a break-in than the national average. Norwich and Ipswich came in second and third places.

London homes were found to be 55% more likely to be burgled than the national average, with Nottingham, Bristol and Cambridge properties also presenting a high risk of being broken into.

Endsleigh spokeswoman Rhiannon Harris warned that every householder in the country should be aware of the possibility of burglary. She said: "It's crucial that, as well as helping the success of neighbourhood safety schemes where they can, people across the country remain vigilant when it comes to home security."

Discount Vouchers For Home Security

Homeowners are to be offered discount vouchers for security equipment to protect their homes against recession-fuelled burglaries.

It is hoped that the extra protection will put worried householders' minds at ease as well as reducing the number of home insurance claims for crime.

The DIY store money-off scheme is one measure introduced by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to prevent a rise in burglaries during the economic crisis, after an increase of 4% between July and September last year.

Vouchers for 10% off will be contained in a free advice pack, which will tell homeowners the best way to protect their homes and a "before you leave the house" checklist to put by the front door.

B&Q and Focus DIY will offer customers reduced prices on items including alarms, window locks and timer switches.

Ms Smith said: "Burglary has more than halved in the last 10 years and I am determined to stay ahead of those criminals who think they can take advantage in tough times.

"I am delighted to have the support of leading DIY stores B&Q and Focus DIY in ensuring that home security equipment is as affordable as possible."

Original Source [Link]

Agency Counters Flood Risk Claims

The Environment Agency has countered claims by the Local Government Association (LGA) that homes are as much at risk of flooding now as they were two years ago.

The agency's reassurances on flood defences will be welcome news for householders looking for home insurance policies that will cover them against being inundated with water.

The LGA had said that homes remained as much at risk as in 2007 - when floods devastated parts of the country - because lessons learned have not been put into practice quickly enough.

But a spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "We disagree with the recent comment made by the LGA. In fact, there are more people than ever before protected against the risk of flooding.

"We've completed 55 new flood defences since June 2007, increasing protection to more than 38,000 homes.

"We are pleased that the Government agrees that the Environment Agency is the right organisation to be given the strategic overview role for all types of flood and coastal risk in England and look forward to working with local authorities on their new role in managing surface water flooding."

Original Source [Link]

Liverpool alley gates scheme to reduce burglaries

Alley gates could be fitted across Liverpool as part of a £1.3 million scheme to cut crime in the city. It is hoped that the new gates on alleyways between houses will reduce the number of home insurance claims made for burglaries, and are in addition to the 5,700 already installed by Liverpool City Council at a cost of £10 million.

The news comes after an independent study of the scheme by the University of Huddersfield showed that 99% of residents in areas where gates have been fitted like having them.

The study also found that 150,000 people living in gated areas feel much safer and burglary rates have remained low after falls of up to 37% when the gates were fitted.

Councillors say the scheme has "helped prevent burglaries and incidents of anti-social behaviour" and as a result made residents feel safer in their homes.

Councillor Marilyn Fielding, executive member for safer communities, said: "It is a great example of a simple idea that makes a massive difference to communities - making sure the elderly and vulnerable feel much more secure in their own homes and reducing incidents of fly tipping in alleyways."

Liverpool Council will now decided whether the "pioneering" scheme will be extended to include 100 new gate schemes over the next two years.

Flood Protection 'To Last 60 Years'

London will be protected from flooding by the Thames Barrier for at least the next 60 years, the Environment Agency has said.

The flood defences in the capital have provided a higher degree of protection than anticipated, according to research conducted by the agency, and the barrier will work until at least 2070.

The new study has increased its life span by 40 years as it was originally designed to provide protection in extreme weather events up to 2030.

The current network of flood defences on the Thames, upstream and downstream of the barrier, will need to be upgraded from around 2035, which is sure to interest home insurance providers.

A new barrier, or modifications to the current barrier will need to be operational by 2075 to protect the capital from rising sea levels and storm brought on by climate change.

The construction of a new Thames Barrier at Long Reach might be more economical than modifying the old one, according to economic analysis, but the existing protection will mean a decision need not be made until mid century.

Life Insurance – There’s more to giving up smoking than just getting healthy

March the 11th sees the 25th anniversary of No Smoking Day, a day of national recognition and support for those who want to try and give up.

Over the past 25 years the campaign has grown from an awareness day organized by a group of individuals with an interest in health, to becoming a fully registered charity in 1991, and onward to employing a full-time staff and becoming one of the best-known days of its type. In light of the ongoing global economic difficulties and the ‘credit crunch’, this year the campaign is more geared towards how smokers can save money if they give up – alongside the well-known health benefits.

So how can giving up smoking at this time help you save money?

The first financial saving to consider, is what you might save on a day to day, week to week, or year to year basis, if you were to give up smoking now. According to myfinances.co.uk, the average packet of cigarettes costs £5.67 in the UK.

If we assume that the average smoker gets through a packet a day, a week of non-smoking will save you £39.69, a month of non-smoking will save you in the region of £177.75 – yet over an entire year you will be set to save a massive £2,069.55.

It is fair to acknowledge that not everyone who wants to give up smokes £5.67 worth of cigarettes everyday, but during these times of belt-tightening and cutting back, the prospect of saving over a thousand pounds after a year of non-smoking must sound tempting to anybody.

However, savings from giving up smoking don’t stop with the cost of cigarettes. As life insurance companies become more and more competitive whilst frugal customers threaten to cancel their policies, now is the best-time for non-smokers to benefit from slashed monthly premiums in comparison to their smoking peers. Savings of up to 50 percent on payments can be made for non-smokers, whilst comparison website moneysupermarket.com estimate a 30 year-old male smoker will spend over £8,000 more on life cover than a non-smoker of the same age.

The financial benefits of giving up around the 11th March go even further though. With the growth of No Smoking Day year on year, many businesses, including supermarkets and shops, have tried to get a piece of the action. Supermarket giant, Asda are discounting prices of nicotine patches and gum in an offer to help their visitors stop at this time. It certainly seems that, in terms of saving money from stopping smoking, March 2009 may well be the perfect month to give it a try.

Car Insurance Incentives

In the UK, the credit crunch seems to be having an intriguing affect on car insurance companies. In a bid to appeal to cash strapped customers, it seems that each company is offering an incentive to be sure that their own policies are the ones we go for, and cash back offers are the current trend. But are car insurance incentives really as good as they sound?

Cash back is a simple method to tempt customers, and it seems that the majority of car insurance companies (as well as some general insurance companies) are using the tactic, with the most recent being Tesco, who offer £50 to all club card holders, whilst Halifax go further offering £50 initially, following with another £50 payment every year you renew.

Of course, some such cash back offers have been met with sneers of derision from finance commentators, newspapers, and other insurers alike – warning that such incentives may well confuse customers into taking out policies which may well have been cheaper with a competitor in the long run. Simply, many are arguing that the very mention of cash back is another factor to add into the equation of working out the price, whilst taking in the basic cost, and then considering such frills as a courtesy car or breakdown cover – for it is these latter factors that differ so greatly in price between insurers.

Additionally, others are warning that customers must be careful to ensure that their cash back is included if you proceed to buy through comparison sites, as well as direct – or even if you have to do so over the phone. Similarly, there are also insurers who stipulate that you must activate the payment yourself, in the hope that you forget the offer after a few months.

Thinking about the trend in the context of price comparison websites, one can’t help but wonder whether insurers have begun such incentives specifically in order to hinder the efficiency of such sites. Following another recent, but less publicized, trend in which insurers have begun incorporating their own comparison sections on their sites to increase user traffic (and subsequently conversions), this notion doesn’t seem so far-fetched. And one wonders how far these incentives will go over the next year as insurance companies compete with each other tooth to tooth. One also hopes that too many customers aren’t duped by callous companies offering great deals and perks, but masking other essential charges.

UK Burglary Hotspots: A Reminder of the Importance of Home Insurance

In 2008, a national survey* revealed the UK burglary hotspots, it seems some of us are more at risk from the threat of burglary than others. Whilst it seems people in certain towns and cities will have less of a need to sleep with one eye open, upgrading security measures and getting adequate home insurance could help everyone to get a good night’s sleep.

The Burglary Hotspots
For the third time in a row, Nottingham was awarded the booby prize of ‘Burglary Capital’. It seems the city, home to the valiant Robin Hood, still has some pretty fearless burglars. London was the second worst place for burglary and Bristol came in a very close third. Other hotspots included Leeds, Hull, Cambridge and Reading.

Such information outlines the need to be aware of the possibility of burglary and to check your home insurance policy to see if you’ve got adequate cover.

The Burglary Safe Spots
The survey concluded that the least-burgled places were Guildford, Norwich and Dundee, with Swindon, Bath, Aberdeen and Exeter also scoring highly.

Student Contents Insurance
But what the survey didn’t take into account was student burglaries. According to the Home Office, young people aged between 16 to 24 years old are three times more likely to be victims of burglary than other age groups, with students the number one target. What’s more, Leeds, London and Manchester

With this in mind, any students who are about to check into their student digs should check out ‘Home Insurance: Get a 1st Degree in Contents Cover!’ students face paying more for contents insurance than others, suggesting their students are the most at risk.
Burglary: Reduce the risk

Wherever you live, you can do something to stop the thieves:

• Get contents insurance– you and your home deserve protection
• Always check ID if a stranger appears at your door – don’t let them in if you don’t feel comfortable
• Lock up! Visit ‘How to make your house secure’ (link to internal article ‘How to make your house secure’) for some top security tips
  

Also, read ‘Top Tips To Burglar Proof Your Home’ to really clue yourself up on foiling the thieves!

*The ‘Homes Report 2008’, carried out by Endsleigh, found the safest and riskiest UK towns and cities for burglaries.

Got the Builders In? Make Sure You Don’t Invalidate Your Home Insurance

If you’re about to have any building work carried out on your property, be extra careful not to accidentally invalidate your home insurance in the process.

The best way to avoid this happening is to notify your home insurance provider of any planned onsite works and ask them whether you need to increase your buildings and contents cover for the duration.

Additionally, if the works involve an extension to the property, a permanent upgrade to the buildings insurance will be required to cover the extra floorspace and value.

Reasons to keep your home insurance company updated:

Structural Changes

If an extension or modification involves works to a load-bearing wall, this could mean an increased risk to the property and to the people inside. Failure to inform the insurer of any structural changes could invalidate any future claims, and the cost of making good could fall to the homeowner.

To illustrate just how common an oversight this is, a recent survey by Halifax found that 1% of homeowners who had removed an internal wall in the previous five years failed to notify their provider.

Home Security

If external walls, windows or doors are removed during any building works, your home will obviously be more vulnerable to burglary. Therefore, it's important to contact your home insurance provider to find out whether you’ll still be covered during this period. Different insurers may have different rules in this regard, so you may have short-term restrictions placed on your cover or your premiums may temporarily rise.

Also, if an extension features new doorways and windows, you should provide your home insurance company with details of the increased accessibility, plus particulars of the types of locks, security measures in place etc.

Additional Cover

Whether you’ve extended the kitchen, built a conservatory or added a whole new wing to your home, don’t forget to upgrade your buildings insurance to cover the increased rebuild cost. If you’re unsure of the cost, get a quote from a surveyor or gauge a rough idea by using a rebuild calculator [change link destination once our own calculator is up and running]. Increasing buildings cover is vital because in the event of any claim the insurance company will only pay out on the part of your house that is actually covered.

Basically, it’s in a homeowner’s interest to make sure their property remains adequately covered during and after any home improvements – it’s the best way to avoid being lumbered with a hefty bill should property damage or a break-in occur.

One last thing…

It’s not just your insurance you need to check, if you’re getting builders in to do the work, check that they have adequate ‘public liability’ insurance. This will cover accidental damage that builders may cause to your home, your neighbour’s property or the street outside.

Find great home insurance deals

Source: http://www.confused.com/featured-articles/household/home-insurance/got-the-builders-in-make-sure-you-don-t-invalidate-your-home-insurance-1041348052

Freak Home Insurance Claims

A UFO was alledged to have caused damage to a wind turbine in Lincolnshire recently which begs the question, if a UFO crashed into your house, are you covered by your home insurance? This and many others are included in this list of the oddest freak insurance claims.

Claims for freak household disasters are nothing new but if something like this happens to a householder, too often they fear the response from an insurer. They worry that it will be up to the policyholder to prove that a little green man was responsible. ‘Act of god’! More like ‘Act of Alien’!

What if a meteorite was to strike my house?
How about a stampede of wildebeest on the run from a local safari park?
What if a vindictive ex-husband bulldozes my home to the ground?
How about if a shark fell through my roof?

British motorists made claims last year for everything from a frozen squirrel crashing through a car windshield to a cow jumping on a quad bike, an insurance company said. Freak accidents involving animals topped the list of odd excuses for motor insurance claims with food-related mishaps in second place.

"We see a lot of strange claims but we were surprised at how many involved animals and food, of all things," said Sally Leeman of Norwich Union, one of the country's biggest insurance providers. "We can hardly tell drivers to beware of flying kebabs and frozen squirrels when they're on the roads but this shows how important it is to be aware of what's going on around you at all times."

The top 10 motor insurance claims were:

"A frozen squirrel fell out of a tree and crashed through the windscreen onto the passenger seat."

"The car was parked when a reindeer fell on the bonnet of my car."

"As I was driving round a bend, one of the doors opened and a frozen kebab flew out, hitting and damaging a passing car."

"A herd of cows licked my car and caused damage to the paintwork."

"A zebra collided with my car when I was at a safari park."

"While I was waiting at traffic lights, a wasp went down my trouser leg which made me hit the accelerator and prang the car in front."

"I couldn't brake because a potato was lodged behind the brake."

"My parked car was hit by a bull which had escaped from an agricultural show."

"A cow jumped on my quad bike."

"As I came over the hill, I hit a cow in the middle of the road, which then hit the bonnet and shattered the windscreen with its rear end."

Unusual Home Insurance Items

Confused.com have some interesting stories of unusual items being insured under home and contents insurance policies. If you have individual items worth £1,000 or over in your home, we all know it’s a good idea to make sure that they are listed on your home insurance.

Usual suspects include such things as plasma TVs, laptops, expensive furniture and costly jewellery.....but the more unusual suspects include the following bizarre valuables:

Peculiar paintings covered by home insurance

• If he’s good enough for the queen, he’s good enough to be displayed in your homes: yes, that’s right, a Rolf Harris original was one of the items declared under the High-Risk Item – Picture category.
  
  With Rolf’s artwork valued at up to £55,000, it’s no wonder that householders feel the need to protect his carefully-crafted kangaroo cartoons on their home insurance.
  
  
• Some of you seem to have a little problem with providing adequate details of your valuables. One applicant thought that ‘it’s a picture’ would suffice to describe their precious work of art. Another declined to give any more information than ‘Painting of Boots’. What we’d like to know is: which branch?
  
  
  
• Similarly, the single phrase ‘John Farnham’ was also listed in this category. Underwriters were left to puzzle over whether the picture was by John Farnham, of John Farnham, or whether the person seeking insurance actually owned Aussie singer John Farnham himself.
  
  If the latter is the case, Mr Farnham may be offended to learn that he is only worth £4,500.

Curious clothing added to contents insurance policies

• We could understand someone being keen to insure their extensive Manolo shoe collection, or some vintage Westwood creations, but listing a ‘work uniform’ for a massive five grand is a little less comprehensible. Exactly what job could this outfit be for? Deep-sea diving? Jet-packing off to work? Or do we have evidence of Robocop’s meticulous attitude to home insurance?
  
  
• The High-Risk Item - Fur category makes for some interesting reading. We’re guessing that people used this as a catch-all for miscellaneous items, and that furry grandfather clocks, furry desks, furry oil paintings or furry barracudas aren’t really present in UK homes. We could be mistaken though: for instance, a furry desk would be invaluable for a comfy lunch-time nap at work.
  
  
• Another entry in the fur category is a ‘mint and ocelot’ coat. We’re not sure whether the ocelot spent his last moments enjoying a pack of Polos, or if the mint part was a later addition by an original fur-coat manufacturer. Or perhaps people just don’t proof-read their home insurance documents properly.
  
  
• A ‘disco-dancing costume’ worth £1,200 is lurking in the wardrobe of an applicant with a particularly bad case of Saturday Night Fever.
  

Other surprising home insurance items

• An ‘Ann Summers demonstration kit’ was considered worthy of protection from, no doubt, the kind of burglar who is desperate to host their own underwear party.
  
  
  
• Someone owns their very own crocodile skull. Could this be a trophy belonging to Britain’s answer to Crocodile Dundee, or merely the possession of a keen osteologist (that’s bone expert to you and me)?
  
  
  
• A £10,000 collection of meteorites is listed as part of one person’s contents insurance policy; perhaps they were worried that these rocks, which survived sun-like temperatures as they fell through our atmosphere, might be damaged by a house fire.
  
  
  
• Someone wished to cover their ‘lace bobbins’ for £3,000 on their home insurance – that’s a lot of bobbins!
  
  
• We’re impressed by the person who’s managed to build up a £4,500 Scalextric collection: Santa must have been very generous last Christmas.
  
  
• A ‘James Bond cheque from a film’, listed for £8,000, is one of the most intriguing items we’ve come across. Was this written by James Bond to cover a particularly long night on the martinis? Or to him? And what movie did it appear in? Dr. No Cash? The Credit Card is Not Enough? From RSB With Love?

Protect both unusual and standard high-risk items on your home insurance

So whether you have the type of expensive possession that will raise a smile in the underwriting department, or the more usual stash of computers and pricey rings or watches, you need to make sure that your home insurance provider is made aware of these valuables as they may not be covered under standard home insurance policies.

Source: Who Would Want to Steal a Crocodile Skull? - Strange Items Listed on Contents Insurance Policies

Home Insurance Accidental Damage Explained by Confused.com

The term 'accidental damage' has been subject to much debate and tears over the years. Here is advice on accidental damage from Confused.com

Accidents Will Happen – But What’s Covered Under Accidental Damage On Your Home Insurance?

Most of us take good care of our homes. But as Elvis Costello sang in his classic ode to the importance of home insurance: "accidents will happen". And what better reason to make sure that you’re adequately covered? After all, who would want to shell out for a new carpet after knocking over a glass of red wine?

But what exactly constitutes accidental damage in buildings and contents insurance policies? Our basic guide covers the main inclusions and exceptions.

What is accidental damage?

The definition of accidental damage is pretty uniform across home insurance policies: damage that occurs suddenly as a result of an unexpected and non-deliberate external action. In layman’s terms, that usually means an unintentional one-off incident that harms your property or its contents.

So, general wear and tear or damage that occurs gradually will be excluded. You also won’t be covered for mechanical failure. A computer that just gives up the ghost can’t be claimed for, but it would be covered if it smashed after you accidentally dropped it onto the floor.

Claims caused by children

Young children are the cause of many home insurance claims; and even if you don’t have offspring yourself, a lot of accidental damage is created by visiting kids. Incidents involving home entertainment equipment (for example if a toddler manages to topple your TV) are often covered under standard contents insurance policies – though it’s always a good idea to examine the small print of your particular policy to make sure.

Extending the accidental damage cover will protect most other items in your home, so you may be able to claim for fruit juice split over your curtains, or a felt-tip masterpiece drawn on your sofa. Common home insurance policy exclusions are portable electrical equipment, and clothing: so keep sticky fingers away from your laptop and favorite designer jeans and, again, check your policy wording.

Animal-related accidents

Many home insurance providers will not cover for damage caused by chewing, tearing, scratching or fouling by animals. This provision is the same pretty much across the board and few contents insurance policies will cover for pets. Sorry animal lovers: Rover needs to be fully house-trained before he’s allowed near any expensive furniture.

Several home insurance providers will not cover for damage caused by insects, vermin or infestation. Squirrels are specifically excluded from the vermin classification of a few home insurance policies; so if your doorframe has been gnawed away, you need to cross your fingers that the culprits have bushy tails.

DIY damage

Checking your home insurance policy conditions before undertaking any work is always a good idea. You may need protection under both buildings and contents policies, depending on the particular job. If you’re unsure of the difference between buildings and contents insurance, take a look at our guides on buildings and contents insurance explained. Be aware that some plumbing and electrical work will not be covered if it’s completed by an amateur.

As a general rule, if you’re not really sure what you’re doing, it’s best to avoid an accidental damage claim altogether by getting a professional in.

Claims for common accidents, such as bursting a water pipe with an ill-placed nail will usually be accepted. Be careful, though, when you’re clearing up the mess that you’ve created; damage caused by cleaning is excluded from several home insurance policies.

As the details of accidental damage cover are not always consistent between home insurance providers, it’s wise to familiarise yourself with the details before committing to a home insurance policy to ensure that you get the cover you need. At Confused.com, we’re devoted to finding you the most suitable buildings and contents insurance so that accidents don’t lead to disaster.

Source: Home Insurance Accidental Damage Explained by Confused.com

Act of God and Home Insurance

Home insurance policies sometimes contain clauses which refer to an ‘Act of God’. These tend to limit liability for natural phenomena such as lightning strikes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and plagues of frogs – freak occurrences which cannot be prevented.

Insurance providers occasionally include these clauses to protect themselves from the hefty payouts usually associated with such unpredictable events. So, in the event that your property is damaged by what is deemed to be an ‘Act of God’, you may find that your insurance provider refuses to pay out. At which point, you might well take certain names in vain.

To this end, it’s always an idea to check your home insurance policy and see what’s excluded under the ‘Act of God’ clause. Obviously, the very essence of these exemptions is that they are unpredictable, so it can be difficult to judge if they apply to you. For example, you may not think of your property as being particularly lightning-prone, but you never know. However, it is certainly prudent to check for supposedly freak events which are becoming more prevalent, such as floods. If you do live on a floodplain, and yet floods are considered to be an ‘Act of God’ by your insurance provider, then you may later regret being underinsured.

That said, policies today often provide cover for chance occurrences in their standard buildings insurance inclusions. A certain level of flood damage cover may be provided, for example – probably no surprise since flooding seems not uncommon nowadays. Likewise a certain degree of storm damage cover may be provided. To be sure of the extent to which you’re covered, be sure to read the small print in your policy.

What if your house were to be destroyed? It is obviously unlikely, but not unheard of. In such a situation, if you have taken out buildings insurance (which you almost certainly will do if you have a mortgage, as it is likely to be one of your lender’s requirements), then you will be able to recover your rebuild cost. Plus some policies may be able to provide an ‘alternative accommodation’ payment in the undesirable event that your property is rendered uninhabitable for a period of time.

Last, but by no means least, it is an idea to know exactly what constitutes this exemption in the eyes of your insurance provider. Don’t get caught out by vague wording… If the situations which constitute an ‘Act of God’ aren’t specifically defined in your policy, then request clarification from your insurer, so that they cannot hide behind something loosely defined in the event of a claim. Possibly the best advice that can be given – with ‘Act of God’ clauses and as with all insurance – is know your home insurance policy!

Source: Act of God Confused.com

How to get the right travel insurance?

Travel insurance doesn't just cover lost luggage and cancelled flights. When accidents happen, it's a financial lifeline. Forgetting your travel insurance, or going for the cheapest option, might end up costing you thousands - so how can you get the peace of mind of knowing you're properly protected?

Get cover for the unexpected.

When Caroline Brown fell off a banana boat on a Greek island, she was concussed and lost her memory for 9 hours - but fortunately she hadn't forgotten her travel insurance. After 3 visits from the doctor, Caroline was back on her feet. And thanks to her insurance she claimed back all the medical expenses.

If you fancy trying something new on holiday such as horse riding or bungee jumping, make sure your activities are covered. And even if you're not planning anything quite so adventurous, it's still vital to have the right travel insurance.

Avoid a financial headache.

Accidents and sudden illnesses affect thousands of travellers every year, and the costs of medical treatment or flying a loved one home can run into thousands. Inadequate travel insurance could mean the added worry of a huge financial burden.

When something goes wrong on holiday, the right travel insurance really shows its worth. Cheaper policies may pay partial costs - but exclusions and excesses can leave a shortfall that you or your family will have to bear the brunt of. So when choosing your travel insurance, check that the policy really covers you for what you need.

Know what your luggage is worth.

When you add it all up - outfits, shoes, digital camera, MP3 player, phone, jewellery, designer sunglasses - there could be thousands of pounds in a single suitcase. And if you're into golf, scuba diving or skiing, that figure could rise even higher.

We all know that sinking feeling when you reach for your phone or camera and find it missing. But if you're not insured, you'll have to foot the bill yourself, and that's enough to ruin your holiday. Work out what your luggage is really worth, and check you're fully covered.

Buy cheap travel insurance from Post Office®; single trip and annual multi trip travel health insurance offering you comprehensive cover with a range of additional options.

UK drink driving worries at Christmas time

Over the last couple of decades anti-drink driving TV advertising campaigns have become as much a part of Christmas as the Coca-Cola 'Holidays are coming,' and Slade appearing several times during every ad-break. So with the run-up to Christmas 2008, what is the current state of drink driving in the UK? And is it time for an even harder hitting campaign?

'Think' is a UK government campaign to reduce deaths and serious injuries on the road by 40 per cent by 2010. Their most recent statistics show that amongst drivers, the unacceptability of drink driving has increased since 2006. This also correlates with the increase that drivers believe it likely that they will be caught by the police if they drink drive.

In the news however, The Yorkshire Post reported in August that Green Flag's most recent findings show that the number of women who drink drive has drastically increased. Since 1995, the number of women convicted after drink driving has increased by 60 percent, whilst 11 per cent admitted to driving over the limit. The Yorkshire Post report seems to contradict the apparently positive findings from 'Think', as the words of road safety campaigner Andrew McGavin sum up the situation:

"There was a fantastic campaign in the 1980s which made drink driving a social taboo. Sadly, that's no longer the case. People have realised the chances of actually getting caught is small."

This statement is reflected by the recent actions of police in Northern Ireland. Due to a reported 3,800 motorists being found over the limit already this year, authorities have warned of the difficulties faced by those who get caught in being able to acquire car insurance in the future. As well as urging motorists to face these consequences, they have reminded potential drink drivers that they will also face a one year ban.

It seems that although improvements have been made on the road overall (drink driving deaths decreased a further 18 per cent from 2006 to 2007), efforts still need to be made. But it would also seem that the social worth of having a hard hitting advertising campaign showing the evils of drink driving might be over. Maybe today's television audience are not as easily shocked and we need to see some more concrete evidence of harsher punishments to really cut drink driving further.

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