Insuring your home is an essential bill, even as we face a cost of living crisis, but families could be wasting their money if they don't take the right steps to ensure their property is safe. One in five claims made to insurers are rejected, according to the Association of British Insurers, and it's often silly mistakes and simple errors that invalidate your policy.
With average insurance claims coming to around £6,000, you could be left with a nasty shock if your insurance company won't pay up, and as we head towards summer holiday season, when homes are left empty as families head off for their annual break, it's even more important that you have cover in place.
With research showing that July to September is the most common time for UK home theft claims, almost double compared to other months of the year, it's surprising that less than two-thirds of holidaymakers check that all their doors and windows are locked before leaving for holidays and less than a quarter setting their burglar alarms before long trips away.
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Aviva insurance has highlighted the precautions you can take to ensure your cover isn't rendered useless both while you're away and all year round, according to This Is Money.
1. Leaving your home empty
Of course, everyone leaves their home empty when the go on holiday or even when they go to work, but most insurance policies have a clause that only cover if a house is left empty for up to 30 or occasionally 60 days at a time. So if you're planning an extended holiday, check that you are covered if your property suffers damages or a robbery while you are away.
If you lucky enough to be going away for longer than your insurance company allows, you should get in touch with your provider, who will be able to help you get the right kind of insurance or advise you of the steps you can take to keep your insurance valid, for instance asking a friend or relative to house-sit for you. But you must check, because on many standard policies the house needs to be 'occupied' by the house-sitter, so one night might not be enough.
2. Leaving your key under the mat
If you do have someone popping in to deal with the mail and water the plants while you are away, don't leave the key under the front door mat or in a similar 'hidden' place. According to Aviva, one in 10 put a key under a doormat or plant pot, but if a burglar helps themselves to the key and clears out your house while you are away, most policies will only pay out if there are signs of forced entry.
This is in spite of the fact that 14 per cent said someone had burgled their home in the past, while 11 per cent had experienced an attempted burglary. If you are adamant you'd like to keep a spare key somewhere accessible and outside of your home, you could consider buying a combination lock box to secure your items, but you should still check with your insurance provider to ensure this does not invalidate your insurance.
3. Letting out your home as a holiday let
If you decide to make a bit of extra cash by letting out you home or even a room to holidaymakers, you should ensure you are fully covered on your existing plan or move to a more suitable one. Some home insurance policies can cover you if the home is only rented out occasionally but you might have to opt in to additional cover and pay an extra premium. If you let out your home the majority of the time, your claim may be void because full-time holiday lets are required to have specific commercial insurance.
4. Home renovations and DIY
You don't need to let your insurer know if you are decorating a room, but major renovations such as an extension should be reported. Building work often affects the terms of your insurance policy, as builders could have easy access to your home and valuables while you're out of the house or preoccupied and the constant stream of people coming in and out, along with the added structural risks, isn't looked upon favourably by insurance companies.
Another reason is when the work is finished, it could increase the value of your property, leaving you insufficiently covered if you need to claim on your insurance.
5. Setting up a business from home
Millions of people are now working from home following the pandemic, and if you are one of them, you should let your insurance company know. Most insurers will provide cover for basic home working, such as computer work, emails, telephone calls or administration, but if you set up and run a business from your home, you are likely to need commercial insurance, particularly if customers are visiting your home or you hold stock.
Jonathan Cracknell, underwriting manager at Aviva, said: 'When someone takes out home insurance, they enter into an agreement with their insurer. Their policy will usually include some general conditions, such as keeping the insured property in good condition and taking all reasonable precautions to prevent accidents, loss or damage.
'If a customer makes it easy for a burglar to access their property – for example, by leaving a key unsecured under a doormat or plant pot in the garden – there's a possibility that a theft claim may be declined. It's much better to leave a key with a trusted friend, neighbour or family member, or invest in security such as a wall-mounted key safe which can only be accessed by someone who has been given the code.'
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