Home maintenance
A certain level of home maintenance is expected by insurers, if your property isn't kept in a reasonable state, future claims may be denied. Weather damage is usually only covered if it's severe, such as due to violent storms or flooding.
Building work
When you are having builders at your property, ensure
you let your insurer know, as any accidental damage might not be covered if you
don’t. This can temporarily increase your premium as there is more risk of
accidental damage like burst pipes. Any work, which will alter the size or
shape of your property will also impact any future claims and can make your
claim invalid.
Locks on windows and doors
When purchasing
your policy ensure you let your insurer know the correct type of locks you have
because, if you provide wrong information then your claim might become invalid.
If you leave the windows open or your key in your door, your burglary claim might
also be invalid due to no signs of forced entry.
Social Media
If you
announce on social media that you are going away, your insurer might not pay
out a burglary claim. Insurers are looking at things like Facebook or Twitter
more often and this can be seen as negligence.
Extended holidays
If you are going away for an extended period of time, especially over a period of 30
days you need to either inform your insurer so they can adjust the premium
accordingly or you should consider getting a house sitter. When it comes to a
claim your insurer is unlikely to pay out if you are not in the house for an
extended period.
Lodgers and short term lets
Even if you are only renting a room out for a couple
of weeks, you need to let your insurer know. If a tenant causes any damage and
your insurer was not aware you had someone living with you, they could reject
the claim.
Flood damage
While cleaning
up after flood damage, ensure you do not get rid of anything an insurance
assessor would need to see to provide evidence for your claim.
Alarms
If you tell your insurer that you have an alarm,
ensure you turn it on when you leave your property. If you don’t and your
property gets burgled you will not be eligible to claim.
Telling the police
In case
of burglary you need to let the police know within 24 hours to obtain a crime
reference number, which you can provide to the insurer. If you do not do this,
your claim may be invalid.
Working from home
Insurers need
to know if you are working from home, especially if your occupation is
considered a ‘risk’ like carpentry or cooking. If you work from home, a higher
level of visitors is therefore assumed a higher risk of theft and other
associated claims.
Failure to secure valuables in your garden
Ensure you know which valuables likely to be in your
garden in hot weather are insured or extend your policy to include those.
Secure any valuables in sheds or garages when you’re not around.
Securing tools
If any tools are left outside like hammers, ladders
or wrenches and they are used to break into your home, your insurer can see
this as negligence and therefore this can invalidate your claim.
At Discount Insurance we offer home insurance policies
from a range of leading UK insurers, allowing you to find the right cover to
meet your needs. Call 0800 294 4522 for a quick quote!
