Staying Safe in the Storms - Reviewing your home, building and contents insurance

As the weather becomes more unpredictable and with storms now seeming like they arrive one after another, it is more important than ever to review your home, building and contents insurance. Understanding exactly what you are covered for can give you peace of mind when the adverse weather hits.

We know that insurance documents can be lengthy. They are full of details, conditions and insurance terminology that can be overwhelming to digest. To help you feel confident in your cover, we have put together a helpful guide on what to look for when checking your policy documents.

What sections of the policy do I need to check?

From policy conditions to sums insured, your policy is made up of a variety of components and information. Some of this is information provided by you while others are conditions of the policy set out by the insurer. It is important to ensure that the information provided by you is kept up to date and that you know what cover is provided by your policy. Below are some sections worth paying attention to:

Sums insured

The sums insured are provided by you and your documents will show the information you provided to your insurer on how much it would cost to replace, repair or rebuild your property should it be damaged or completely lost. While your insurer may apply index-linking (adjusting a figure to keep it in pace with inflation and other factors that may affect pricing), the responsibility to maintain accurate figures lies with you so it is worth checking these thoroughly.

Property construction

Your policy documents will also show the information the insurers have on the construction of your home or business premises (e.g.brick, timber, concrete). This will also include if you have any specific additional requirements such a flat roofs, conservatories or anything that is non-standard.

Policy wording and conditions

The policy wording and conditions will go into detail about what is and isn’t covered and specific terms you need to adhere to in order for your policy to be valid. They will also outline any circumstances that will not be covered, so it is essential to take the time to read through these thoroughly.

Perils covered

The perils are what events you are covered for on your policy, for example, flood, storm, or accidental discharge of water. The perils covered can vary from insurer to insurer so when renewing or taking out a new policy it is important to read documentation thoroughly to check the policy covers everything you need.

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What should I look for?

We know that while you are surrounded by the world of animals day in and day out, we are surrounded by the world of insurance. That’s why our experts have put together a handy list of things to consider when looking through your insurance documents:

What perils are covered?

Does your policy include cover for storm damage and are there any limits on claim payouts? Make sure to check all sections of your policy as some sections may be covered for different perils, e.g. building and contents cover may differ to each other.

Are there any exclusions?

Check your policy to see if there are any items that are excluded from storm damage or circumstances that are not included. For example, your policy may not include storm damage resulting from inundation from the sea or cover property that is left in an open-sided building.

Are there any specific policy conditions?

Look to see if there are any specific policy conditions that need to be adhered to for cover to be valid. For example, if your building is undergoing any construction works, you may not be covered unless this has been specifically agreed with your insurer.

 Are your sums insured correct?

Taking into account inflation and increased costs, does the value you have insured still accurately reflect what it would cost to repair or replace in the case of a complete loss. If your property is underinsured and you need to make a claim, insurers may apply the average clause which would only cover a proportion of the loss.

How can I help protect my property and my home?

While your insurance policy is there for when the worst happens, you can take steps to reduce the risk of an incident occurring – no-one likes to open the door to see a leaking roof! While some incidences are beyond control, taking preventative measures when possible can help protect your home and property. To help safeguard your property from storm damage you can:

-       Regularly inspect your building to ensure that roof tiles, doors and windows are all secure and protected from high winds.

-       Check for any areas that are at risk from leaks and put in place measures to ensure they are watertight

-       Identify areas that may be prone to flooding with heavy rain. Once spotted, consider what irrigation or other methods could be implemented to reduce the risk of floods.

-       Clear gutters and drains to help reduce the risk of water accumulation and ensure adequate drainage

-       Safely secure any items that are stored outside or consider moving them inside during the bad weather

Peace of mind in unpredictable weather

Storms can appear out of nowhere and cause significant disruption, but reviewing your insurance and taking simple protective steps can give you confidence that you’re well prepared. By understanding your policy and ensuring the information is up to date and accurate,  you can rest easy knowing your home insurance is there when you need it most.