Home insurance add-ons
When shopping for home insurance, you’ll see that policies can vary significantly and a feature that comes as standard on one policy may not be included in another.
So you might find a policy that suits your needs, but is lacking one particular benefit that would really help provide you with that extra peace of mind. For example, you might be particularly worried about pipes bursting in your home, in which case you could consider additional home emergency cover.
That’s just one of the different add-ons you might consider. Before you sign on the dotted line for any of these extras, consider whether you need each of them or if you already have the cover with a different company. Make sure you read through your policy to check what you’re already covered for.
You can find a few details on some of the most common home insurance add-ons below to help you decide whether they are right for you:
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Legal expenses
This insurance is designed to help cover the cost of unexpected legal claims and disputes. It may be bought as a standalone policy or as an optional ‘add-on’ to other policies.
This type of product might help in the event of incidents ranging from disputes with neighbours to an unfair dismissal from work or even disputing a speeding fine. It may also cover any family members that live with you on a permanent basis.
It’s best to read the small print so you’re clear on what’s covered. If your insurer doesn’t expect the case to go in your favour, it may not accept the claim, e.g. they might only cover you if the claim has more than a 51% chance of success.
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Home emergency
The Home Emergency add-on covers the cost of an urgent repair due to an incident or emergency in your home, such as a burst water pipe.
Examples of other incidents or emergencies which are covered could include:
- A boiler breaking down
- Central heating failure
- Blocked drains
- Removal of a wasp nest or other infestations
- Repairing or replacing damaged or broken locks, doors and windows
Policies vary, but may cover emergency call outs, parts or labour to help you put things right quickly. They may also include overnight accommodation if your house is not suitable to stay in after an emergency. Be sure to read the small print so you know exactly what is and isn’t covered.
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Accidental damage
From spilling red wine on the carpet to smashing the TV, home accidents are common. But while some home insurance policies offer cover against accidental damage, this is not always the case.
So, it’s good to check your existing home insurance policy to see if accidental damage is included as standard, and exactly which items are covered, e.g fixed glass, TVs, sanitary fittings or audio equipment. Some insurance providers do not provide any Accidental Damage cover, so it’s best to check. It’s a useful feature to have, for that extra reassurance if something happens to one of your essential - but expensive - items, whether that’s the TV, computer or a kitchen appliance.
Also, be aware that accidental damage will not cover wear and tear or breakdown to your home contents. It may also not pay out if the accidental damage is caused by your pet, in which case you might consider separate pet insurance.
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Personal possessions
Whenever you leave your home, you may reach for your wallet or purse, smartphone and keys. But have you ever considered how valuable these few small items are that you almost always carry around? That’s in addition to any valuable jewellery you might also be wearing.
Personal possessions insurance covers personal belongings such as these – although the items covered can differ from policy to policy, with different levels of cover and single article limits – against loss, damage, or theft when you take them outside your home[1].
Some personal possessions insurance won’t cover you for gadgets, which may require additional insurance, so again double check your policy so you don’t get any surprises if you do need to make a claim.
[1] https://www.moneysupermarket.com/home-insurance/personal-possessions-insurance/