Things happen when you least expect it…
Insuring our home and belongings is almost second nature to most of us now.
We’re able to search through a range of policies to find the one that suits you best from our extensive list of insurers. So this year leave the shopping to us, as just one phone call could find the best cover and price for you.
All initial enquiries and appointments are arranged on a free, no-obligation basis.
If you have a mortgage, your lender will insist that your property (and their security) is protected by buildings insurance. It usually pays out if your property is destroyed by fire, floods or subsidence (although you will need to check if you live on a flood plain, for example). Damage to fixed fittings such as baths and kitchens are often included, as well as sheds, greenhouses and garages.
You might be offered buildings insurance when you take out your mortgage, but you don’t have to take what’s on offer. Use the key policy information to shop around and get the best deal for you.
If you purchase a leasehold property (such as a flat in a block of flats) the freeholder may have arranged buildings insurance for the whole block, in which case you may not need your own buildings policy.
What isn’t covered?
Your cover is based on what your home would cost to rebuild. You can check whether you have enough buildings insurance through the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) website. It has an online tool to help you calculate the sum you should insure your building(s) for, in case your home has to be entirely rebuilt.
You need to tell your insurer if you extend your property, for example with a loft conversion or conservatory. Your belongings are not covered – these need to be covered separately with contents insurance – see Contents insurance.
Keeping costs down
As always, shop around. You may also find that you get a better deal if you buy buildings and contents insurance together. Most policies have a standard excess charge which means you agree to pay the first part of any claim, for example the first £50 or £100. If you agree to pay a higher excess you might get a cheaper policy. Always compare what’s covered by a policy, not just the price – the key policy information will help you do this. Some might be cheaper than others, but they may not offer the same level of protection.
Benefits can include:
- Accidental Damage Cover
- Building Cover
- No Claims Discount
- Legal Liability
- Metered Water
- Loss of rent or costs for alternative accommodation
What’s it for?
It covers the loss of or damage to the contents of your home. This includes your furniture, electrical goods and other items within your home. Some policies cover you for items you take outside, for example cameras, jewellery and briefcases. Different policies offer different levels of cover but generally you’ll be covered against theft and fire, and have the option to insure against damage you may cause by accident. It is always vital that you thoroughly read and understand the full policy terms and conditions.
If not already covered by your contents insurance, you may want to consider travel insurance for loss or damage to your personal belongings whilst travelling. For more information see Travel insurance.
What isn’t covered?
Anything beyond the maximum amount your insurer says they will pay, and it may pay a maximum amount on single articles. You’ll need to specify the value of the contents. Some companies have limits on the value of any one item under the general policy so you’ll need to specify individual items such as expensive jewellery or camera equipment, for example. Your cover may also be affected or cancelled if you leave your home empty for a long period of time, or if you let it out. Damage to the building itself is also not covered; this needs to be covered separately with Buildings insurance – see Buildings insurance.
Keeping costs down
Many insurers will offer discounts if you have a burglar alarm, window locks or if you’re a member of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. You may also get a deal if you combine contents and buildings insurance.
Most policies have a standard excess charge which means you agree to pay the first part of any claim, for example the first £50 or £100. If you agree to pay a higher excess you might get a cheaper policy.
Always compare what’s covered by a policy, not just the price – the key policy information will help you do this. Some might be cheaper than others, but they may not offer the same level of protection.
Level of cover
Some contents insurance policies offer new for old. This means they’ll replace old damaged appliances and possessions with new ones when you claim.
Bear in mind that your premiums may increase the following year, or the insurance company may refuse to cover you for the same risk if it happens more than twice, for example.
Benefits can include:
- Accidental Damage Cover
- Credit Card Misuse
- Deeds, registered bonds and personal documents
- No Claims Discount
- Domestic outbuilding contents (other than garages)
- Door lock replacement
- Frozen food
- Garden
- Gold, silver, jewellery and furs
- Money
- Seasonal / Wedding increase info
We have designed a buy to let property insurance policy to offer you protection for your buy to let property and it’s contents.
Landlords insurance for buildings and contents includes as standard:
- loss or damage arising as a result of fire, storm, flood, falling trees, theft, malicious acts or vandalism
- Up to £40,000 for your loss of rent or for providing alternative accommodation for the tenant following damage caused by an insured event.
- legal liability as owner of the buildings for causing injury to others or for damage to their property up to £2,000,000 for any one claim
- home emergency cover – with our buildings insurance you get up to £150 towards paying for call-outs or repairs if you have an emergency. This cover is provided by Inter Partner Assistance SA and administered by HomeServe Claims Management Limited.
Contents only cover is only available in circumstances where the buildings is tied to another insurer, such as in the case of a leasehold flat.
Landlords Insurance additional cover options
With our Landlords Insurance, you can tailor your policy with the following optional cover:
- buildings accidental damage and malicious damage by tenants to cover you for incidents such as banging a nail through a pipe or putting a foot through the ceiling whilst in the loft and malicious damage by your tenants.
- contents accidental damage and malicious damage by tenants so you don’t have to worry about things such as spills on carpets and malicious damage by your tenants.
- legal expenses, rent guarantee and eviction of squatters cover insures you for irrecoverable costs and fees to pursue or defend claims involving breach of tenancy agreement and unpaid rent in excess of one month and up to 12 months. The maximum amount payable for legal expenses and unpaid rent in any 12 month period of cover is £50,000. Claims are handled on our behalf by DAS Legal Expenses Insurance Company Limited
Please note that Landlords Insurance is designed to cover certain unforeseen events and doesn’t cover everything. It does not cover things like general wear and tear or damage that happens gradually over a period of time. There is also an excess on each claim.
More Information
This is only a summary of the cover, limitations and exclusions apply. Further details of what is and isn’t covered are available in our Key Features Document. For insurance business we arrange policies exclusively from us.
Nothing is more important that protecting the health and wellbeing of you and your family. Ensuring prompt access to the latest medical technology, drugs and procedures should be an overriding factor when considering the options available. Private health insurance has often been considered an expensive solution but that is no longer the case.
You can avoid potential hospital waiting lists and, instead, choose to receive the latest treatments at one of over 200 quality assured facilities throughout the UK. A private health insurance plan can give you all of this, but at an affordable price.
We understand that everyone is different and whether you are looking for peace of mind for yourself, your family or a group at your place of work, we can help you find private health cover to suit your specific needs.
Our private health insurance plan lets you choose from 10 different options to tailor the cover to suit you. Whether you are looking for a basic plan or a fully comprehensive policy we we can help you find the most appropriate policy at an affordable price.