Is this a 'new for old' policy?

Yes, this is why the amount your contents are insured for must represent the cost of replacing all your contents and personal effects as new.

Is Accidental Damage included?

Yes, the policy automatically includes Accidental Damage Cover for buildings and contents.

Are my golf clubs covered while in my car?

All items insured under the Contents section of your policy will be covered up to £5,000 as long as they’re kept out of sight in a locked boot or closed glove compartment.

If your golf clubs are lost or damaged overseas, the policy also includes cover for hire of replacements up to £250.

Also, if you get a hole in one in an official golf competition, we’ll pay £500.

Do you insure laptop computers?

Yes. Laptops are covered up to £3,000 each. If the data stored on your computer or other electronic equipment are lost, we’ll pay the cost of reinstating the lost data up to £5,000.

Computers, laptops, software, printers, scanners, photocopiers, other equipment and office furniture owned by you or your family, and used in your business are covered up to £20,000 under the Contents section.

Will my swimming pool and hot tub be covered?

Yes, the policy covers the buildings of your home and its walls, fences, gates, hedges, driveways, steps, terraces, patios, permanently installed swimming pools, hot tubs, ornamental ponds, fountains, hard tennis courts and even wind turbines used for domestic purposes on the same site.Underground services, inspection hatches, service tanks and covers all supplying your home are all included too.

Are the contents of my outbuildings covered?

Your contents are insured in your home or anywhere in the world: this includes garages and outbuildings at your home. Outdoor items such as garden statues, furniture and flower containers kept in the garden are also covered up to £10,000.

Do I have any liability cover included in my Contents Policy?

Yes, you are covered for occupiers', personal and employers' liability up to £5 million for amounts which you or your family legally have to pay as damages in relation to:

• accidental bodily injury to any person
• accidental loss of or damage to material property
• accidental obstruction, trespass or nuisance resulting in interference with or loss of enjoyment of material property.

Full details are contained in the policy booklet.

If I have an emergency at home, will you be able to help me?

Yes, in addition to a domestic helpline providing advice, we also offer a Home Emergency Service – we’ll send a tradesman to your home to fix the problem. We’ll pay for the cost of the call-out, labour costs, parts and materials up to £500 including VAT. Helplines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Are my child's belongings covered while they're at college or university?

Yes, the possessions of student members of your family who are temporarily living away from home at school, college or university are covered up to £15,000.

Will you insure the belongings of an elderly relative who lives with us?

Yes, the policy covers the belongings of all members of your family who permanently live with you, including your spouse, partner, children, parents and other relatives.

There is also cover up to £15,000 for loss or damage to contents belonging to your dependent parents or grandparents who are living in a nursing home or residential care home.

My property isn't a standard brick or stone house with a slate or tiled roof. Can you insure it?

We offer a wide range of protection for the fabric of your home and are happy to provide cover for unusual properties, including listed or graded homes and non-standard construction, with features such as timber frame and thatched roofs.

If I use my home for my business, am I still covered?

The policy includes up to £20,000 cover for business equipment and office furniture owned by you or your family and used in connection with your business.

Reinstatement of lost business data is also covered up to £5,000.

How much should my fine art, antiques, jewellery and watches be insured for?

Fine art, antiques, jewellery and watches should be insured for the full market value or cost of replacement.

Because the market value and cost of replacing these items is likely to fluctuate, we recommend that you review their value regularly and get professional guidance.

The value of a painting can often increase following the death of the artist. Because you may not know about it for a few months, the amount you’re insured for under ‘fine art’ will be increased by up to £50,000 automatically for six months following the death.

When do you require a valuation?

Valuations are required for:

• Jewellery and watches worth more than £5,000
• Fine art and antiques worth more than  £20,000

Within a collection, you only need a valuation for objects over the single article limit of the policy.

Valuations and photographic evidence help make sure that you’re adequately insured and also help the Police and the Art Loss Register to trace ownership following loss or theft.

What does 'All risks, worldwide' cover mean?

Your contents, personal effects, fine art, antiques, jewellery and watches are insured against loss or damage - including accidental damage - while you’re at home or anywhere in the world.

If you make any new purchases, the amount you’re insured for in these sections will be increased by up to 20% to cover them if you inform us within 60 days of the purchase and pay any additional premium required.

What do you mean by 'personal effects'?

Personal effects are property used for domestic purposes or for occasional business use. You or your family should either own them or be legally responsible for them.

They include:

• clothing, including motorcycling suits
  
• furs, glasses, contact lenses and hearing aids
• baggage and other items carried about the person
• photographic and mobile phones
  
• electronic equipment
• sports equipment and bicycles
• musical instruments

I think the security at my home is OK but want some advice. Can you help?

Our experienced Risk Management Surveyors are available to visit your home to give help and guidance on suitable security measures. They can also give advice on practical steps to protect your home from fire, extreme weather conditions or while you’re away from home for long periods. 

Will I be covered when I move house?

Yes, you’re covered for loss or damage as long as the removal is undertaken by professional removal contractors and they have packed any breakable items including glass and china.

However, there will be no cover for loss or damage while in transit by sea.

Theft or attempted theft won’t be covered unless force and violence is used to gain entry to the removal vehicle or storage facility.