Home insurance has been providing peace of mind to homeowners for hundreds of years. Without it, many of us would be left in a desperate situation should a disaster occur to our homes. Thankfully, with a good policy in place, we can sleep peacefully knowing that we are financially covered should the worst happen-or are we? Some elements could lead to your provider refusing a claim and we are going to highlight these below.
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Building Work
When enlisting the services of a contractor to extend or improve your home, they will often notify you of the various things you should have in place before work begins. Rights of light insurance is a common part of the conversation as a right to light indemnity insurance policy is a must-have should your neighbours believe they have rights to light.
However, not many contractors will bring up the issue of home insurance, as they are not personally liable should your policy become void. Insurance companies don’t look kindly on the idea of your home not being fully secure. As walls are knocked down and doors and windows await installation, your security is compromised.
Not to mention that a work sight is a tempting place for thieves, unattended tools and equipment could be inviting to these characters and what’s stopping them from stealing from your own home as well.
This doesn’t mean you won’t be covered during the building process, but you should always alert your provider before it starts. A quick phone call and a note on your policy can make all the difference should you need to make a claim and it’s unlikely your premium will go up either.
Empty Homes
Nobody occupies the home 24/7 and insurance companies understand this. If you are leaving your property empty for a few weeks, for a holiday or any other reason, you won’t need to make any changes to your policy.
However, the majority of insurance providers won’t cover extended periods, usually, this is 30 days or more but can vary depending on the policy. If you have not taken out unoccupied property insurance you could be faced with unpaid claims.
It isn’t just the security of a property that is deemed as compromised is unattended for over a month, simple things such as a leak in a pipe can lead to catastrophic repair bills if it isn’t seen to straight away and a typical home insurance policy won’t cover this.
Not Using Locks
Not locking doors and windows can void a policy should you need to claim theft. It may seem like a simple thing to do and most of us wouldn’t dream of leaving our homes with the doors open to whoever wants to walk in. But the stipulations in your insurance policy could go deeper.
If you have locks on your windows, these must be used and if you have a double lock system on your door, make sure this is used every time you leave the property.
Remember, thieves are opportunists, so even if you’re just popping to the corner shop or quickly grabbing something from your car, make sure everything is closed, locked and secure. By not doing so, not only could your hard-earned possessions be stolen, but you may not be able to make a claim to replace them.
New House Mates
If you have a spare bedroom, chances are you will want to fill it with a tenant to make a bit of extra cash. Most people opt for a trusted friend or family member to join them in their home but just because you trust them, it doesn’t mean your insurance provider does.
Even a life-long friend is seen as a stranger to your provider and this stranger has a set of keys and access to your property and your belongings. Check your policy before allowing anyone to move in and when in doubt, give them a call to check.
Having a new housemate doesn’t mean you can’t be fully covered, but you may have to pay a little extra to put a new clause in the contract with your provider. However, it is worth it as even if a claim you need to make has nothing to do with your tenant, it may be refused if you have not made your provider aware of them.
Sprucing Up The Doors & Windows
When a home insurance policy is taken out, you often have to answer a myriad of questions regarding the doors and windows of the property. If you decide to upgrade these and don’t tell your insurer, even if they are more secure, you may risk an unpaid claim.
When in doubt with anything in your home insurance policy, always call your provider. It only takes a few minutes and can save you from a horrible consequence later on down the road.