Some Information about Home Contents Insurance for UK Consumers
Buying insurance in the UK can be confusing. In this article, we'll discuss home contents insurance to help you determine whether you can use standard cover or whether you might need specialised, bespoke cover.Home and Contents Insurance
Some people think that home and contents insurance policies are all the same and that price is the only differentiating factor. In reality, a home contents insurance policy is not a commodity, like tea or coffee. It can vary greatly in quality and value, rather like diamonds.
Policies that you can buy on the Internet with standard cover limits and cheap premiums may be right for your home contents insurance cover, provided that what you own is "ordinary." But if your home has a rebuilding cost greater than £250,000 and has contents valued in excess of £50,000, chances are that a cookie-cutter Internet policy will have significant gaps that become all too apparent in the event of a loss and subsequent claim. Specialist household insurance, such as the type sourced by Dovetail Insurance Services Ltd. from trusted high value home insurance underwriters is much less likely to present problems when a claim is filed.
When buying insurance for your home, be sure to include both the building and the contents. A house and contents insurance broker or agent will usually offer a discount for a combined policy of this type. Plus, if you haven't had a claim in the previous 5 years, the discount may be even greater. Finally, in the event of a claim affecting both a building and its contents at the same time, such as flood damage, only one policy excess will be applied to the settlement figure.
Features to Look for When Obtaining a Contents Insurance Quote
Your home contents insurance quote should include accidental damage to both buildings and contents. For example, tree root damage to drains in hot periods is quite common because a tree's root system expands in search of water. This in turn causes invasive damage that is classified as accidental. Such damage is expensive to repair. Similarly, knocking over a glass of red wine onto a carpet can mean that a whole section of carpeting, not just the stained part, needs replacing. Be sure your cover does not have restrictive limitations that will prevent global repair or replacement when merited.
Most household contents insurance policies do not cover your possessions away home unless you opt for additional "personal possessions" cover. This cover is generally for a limited amount and has low single article coverage limits. Contents insurance with one of Dovetail's chosen home insurance providers usually offers worldwide, "all risks" cover for all your possessions. In short, this cover gives you the freedom to take whatever you wish away from home, at any time, to anywhere in the world.
More and more people are working from home, running small businesses. Many home insurance policies will not cover business equipment, such as a computer, fax machine, office furniture and other equipment. You should know that there are generous limits for home office business equipment already included in the home contents house insurance policies we offer.
More than One Home?
If you own more than one property, such as a primary residence, a rental property and a holiday home, you should know that most second home contents insurance policies cover only a single property. This in turn necessitates the need to take out additional cover. We are able to cover more than one property under a single home and building contents insurance policy. In addition, we can set up your all policies with common renewal date, leaving you more time enjoying your holiday home and less time sorting out your home insurance policy affairs.
What to Look for in any Insurance Company
Nobody likes to spend more than is needed on home and home contents insurance. What most consumers want is straightforward: wide policy coverage, a fair and reasonable price and a sympathetic and speedy claims service. Dovetail Insurance Services Ltd. sources contents and buildings insurance policies only from trusted insurance companies. We have met the administrative office staff, the claims staff and the accounts staff of these companies. Even more importantly, we have personal relationships with the managers and directors of these firms. This allows us to act quickly and resolve matters to our policyholders' satisfaction.
In addition, specialist insurance companies we deal with will not require you to use specific tradesmen and contractors. The majority of insurance companies that advertise on television or on the Internet often require you to deal only with a restricted list of tradesmen and contractors. With our cover, you are free to engage whomever you wish, provided that the estimate is fair and reasonable. Thus, the home content insurance obtained from us will generally allow you a greater degree of choice and flexibility. Similarly, if an item is lost or stolen you, will probably want to replace it at a supplier or store of your choice rather than be required to use a specific supplier or store. Also, a reputable and well-established insurance company is more likely to have an arrangement with equally reputable and well-established suppliers, should you need recommendations in this regard.
Acquiring bespoke and comprehensive home contents insurance is an important issue that every UK resident should address sooner rather than later. Why not contact me, Geoff Moss, at 01242 699113, to discuss your needs today?
