What's In Your Policy

Home insurance doesn't actually exist as a policy. Whilst this might seem like an outrageous statement to make, home insurance is actually a conglomerate of two other types of insurance, buildings insurance and contents insurance. Whilst these are often sold together, they protect different things and if you make a claim you will most likely claim from one policy or the other. So what is covered by which policy, and what is not covered at all?

One of the major problems for insurers is the weather, whether that be from flood, storms or high winds. The ABI (Association of British Insurers) had threatened not to insure certain areas at high risk of flooding but a deal was struck last year with the government to ensure that wherever you are in the country you will still be able to get home insurance.

So your home insurance company will cover you for the major weather issues wherever you live. Most insurance policies cover for damage caused to the structure of the property and to fitted elements. On nearly all policies you will get cover for storms and high winds as standard and if you haven't you should talk to your insurance company. These sorts of claims are almost always attached to your buildings insurance.

All insurance policies should also cover for damage caused by freezing water. If you suffer a cracked pipe or water escapes from a damaged pipe and wreaks havoc you will be covered for the cost of repairing the damage and the pipe. If the damage is widespread and affects your possessions you may have to claim under your contents insurance, but generally speaking the payments will come from the buildings insurance policy.

Almost all policies will cover you should something fall from your property onto a neighbor's property and cause damage. Many policies will also have a clause that pays for alternative accommodation for that neighbor if the damage is particularly severe. This will be claimed from your buildings insurance policy.

The hard and fast rule is that anything that you would take with you were you to move house falls under the contents insurance banner and therefore claims on damage to these items will be paid from that policy

Unfortunately, this doesn't apply for everything you would take with you. Many people take garden furnishings with them when they move house and it's unlikely that your insurance company will pay for damage to such items. You can, however, negotiate a separate policy for garden furnishings if you wish to, but it may be better value for money to simply replace the items when they get damaged

Discover how we've made our home insurance simple at The Co-Operative Insurance.