Home Insurance Checklist

Category: Home insurance
Date: 1/14/2008

Before you choose a buildings or contents insurance policy, you should make sure that it meets your needs.

For buildings insurance:

• Look at the specified amount or limit for buildings cover protection
• How much will it cost to rebuild your home? Not just the resale value as this may differ wildly.
• Does the policy cover accommodation for you, should your home become uninhabitable?
• Does it cover outside buildings?
• If you are in a high-risk flood area, are you covered?
• In addition to the overall structure of your property, what permanent fixtures and fittings are covered, if any?
• Do you live in a high crime area?
• What about the style of your house? Do you have any unusual features? Or is your property a listed building?

For contents insurance:

• Look at the specified amount or limit of contents cover protection
• Have you got everything valued accurately?
• Are your antiques or valuables covered, or do you need to take out separate cover for these? It may work out cheaper to get them insured separately with a specialist contents insurance provider.
• Do you have children or animals? It could be worth adding accidental damage to your policy
• Do you have any single items that need to ber
• Do you live in a high crime area?
• How far outside of your home are your items covered for?
• Does the policy cover your items when you are abroad?

Remember, when it comes to finding the a buildings or contents policy for your needs, always give accurate and appropriate information. That's because when it comes to making a claim, honesty is always the best policy

Your claim may be deemed null and void if you give:

• False information
• Lack of general maintenance on your policy
• Not carrying out repair work on previous claims