Insuring your CHRISTMAS
I know, I hold my hands up I have done it again! Mentioning the C word in September but what can I say I’m as excitable as a kid at Christmas. But either way important information is important information, and as far as we are concerned giving you all the information on how to best protect yourself during the happiest time of the year is very IMPORTANT.
Some things you may not think of… Leaving those empty boxes outside your house from the PS4 or Xbox you bought shows that it is highly likely to be inside the house. The fairy lights in your window which lie somewhere on the line of picturesque and painfully annoying, get really, really hot! And of course heat very often leads to fire.
So with the added risks of the festive season before we all slouch into our couch and begin the Christmas cheer, it is always worth checking that the insurance we have covers protecting our happiness.
House fires
House fires are a big risk in December, so make sure that your sums insured is up to date. Buildings insurance should cover the cost of rebuilding your home entirely, including planning and architecture costs.
Double check that this figure is current and not based on your home’s market value. If it’s not enough, you might get far less in the event of a claim, even if just one room is affected by fire damage, as your property will be underinsured as a whole.
Expensive contents
Some home insurance policies offer automatic content increases around Christmas to account for shopping hauls and gifts following the day itself. If you don’t have this on your insurance, and you’re expecting a lavish gift exchange or have a big family, it could be worth looking into have this added on to cover presents and newly acquired possessions.
When you have a spare minute after the festivities have subsided, do a recalculation to see how much it would cost to replace all your possessions to see if you’re still in the comfortable limits of your insurance policy.
Break-ins
If a thief has been given easy access to goods, for instance, a new toolset in an unlocked shed, or a door left open to receive guests, you’re unlikely to be covered for something that’s stolen. Take extra care to secure your possessions, as December, in particular, can represent rich pickings for criminals taking advantage of longer evenings and expensive gifts.
Holidays
If you’re going away for Christmas, don’t forget your travel insurance. Hospital wards can be expensive places without it – ten times more than a luxury hotel in some cases. Winter skiing breaks come with extra risks, so be sure to make it clear if you’re intending to hit the slopes so that you can be covered for injury.
Taking the time to double check your policies before the fun begins can make for a far less stressful claims process should it come to that. If you’re not clear about anything on your insurance policy, give us a call on 0161 786 3150 to give you some clarity.