Walker Jack Consultants

When the unexpected occurs, especially when it involves your house, it is reassuring to know that you have some protection. Home emergency insurance is a type of home insurance that expressly covers those urgent situations that can arise. Most home emergency insurance cover circumstances of crises, such as blocked drains or burst pipes, loss of access to utilities (hot water, heating, gas, electricity), loss of keys to your house, or windows or doors that have been broken and thus pose a security risk.

Home emergency insurance is usually considered an additional benefit that can be added to your standard buildings insurance with accidental cover for an additional fee. Most home insurance policies do not cover emergency situations, such as a hot water breakdown or a blocked toilet. Purchasing home emergency insurance can give a homeowner some peace of mind, knowing that should such an event arise, they have the means to deal with it immediately. However, one should understand that home emergency insurance is certainly not a substitution for your home insurance policy.

All home emergency insurance policies do have exclusions such as loss or damage that occurred before the policy was purchased, or was a result of equipment that was not appropriately maintained. Home emergency coverage does not cover any damage to pipes, outbuildings, fences, gates, or hedges outside the house. These exclusions should be read through carefully before making a claim or deciding if home emergency coverage is right for you.

read comments (0)

Winter is a time when home insurance claims increase.  One of the main reasons for this is the British weather.  We are exposed to a variety of weather problems over winter, but, if we think ahead and plan accordingly, we can reduce the chances of damage to our property.

Storms bring with them high winds and heavy rain.  This can result in anything from roof tiles blowing off to satellite dishes becoming detached, or even chimney stacks collapsing.  If a roof starts to leak after a storm, it is often due to a slipped tile.  This will lead to water getting into the roof timbers and causing damage.  In winter it is essential to keep an eye on the roof of your house, and to keep it well maintained.  Snow damage can also be a problem in winter, with the weight of heavy snowfalls leading to structural damage and collapsed roofs

It is also worth checking the trees in your garden.  In high winds are they going to fall onto buildings?  Will they damage cables?  Damage from fallen trees can be extensive and cause significant disruption.  Is your cheap home insurance going to cover you in the case of a claim or will you need extra cover?

Other winter insurance headaches can be caused by burst water pipes.  Make sure the pipes in your home are lagged inside and out.  If you are going away during a cold snap, it is worth leaving the central heating on low to prevent pipes freezing up.

It may seem like winter brings plenty of problems with it, but with the right home insurance in place you will be well prepared.

read comments (0)

If you have had your home insurance policy for some time with the same company and have not made a claim, your home insurance company may reward you with lower premiums. If you have a history of not making claims against your house insurance company, many insurers are eager to provide you with a discounted rate to keep such customers.  If you are reviewing your current policy and looking to compare home insurance quotes, having a background of no claims is also helpful. Competing insurance companies may try to attract your business by offering reduced premiums.

Insurers can often provide a saving of up to 30 per cent after one year of no claims. This saving can increase to as much as 70 per cent after five years of no claims. However, one single claim, even after a long history of no claims, can increase your premiums. Some home insurance companies provide the option after four years of no claims to defend your no claims discount, in exchange for a slight increase in the cost of your premium. This option lets you make a limited number of claims without losing the reduction in premium you have acquired.

To reap the benefits of no claim discounts, reduce your risk of burglary by installing alarms and locks on all windows and doors. Maintain your property and keep it in good repair. If some part of your property becomes damaged, needing to be replaced or repaired, consider first whether the increase in premium would cost you more than it would for you to simply pay for the repair or replacement yourself.

read comments (0)

Most people think of cheap home insurance as coverage for their home and belongings.  What most forget about is coverage for others who visit their home.  When people visit or even work on your home, they may be injured.  Injuries can occur from falls, unsafe boards on your home and even electric shock from faulty appliances.  Paying for these costs yourself is difficult for most.  This is where liability home insurance can help.

Unexpected Injuries

You never know when someone on your property may get hurt.  It could be something as simple as your neighbour slipping on an icy step.  Liability insurance pays for these injuries, including all related medical expenses.  For long term injuries, insurance typically covers a blanket settlement amount instead.

Legal Fees

Some people are not satisfied with just a medical settlement.  When an incident occurs on your property and ends up in court, legal fees can be steep.  Liability insurance covers the cost of court and legal fees, in addition to the settlement.

Away From Home

With some liability home insurance policies, you are covered even when you are away from home.  This can include incidents at rental properties or from uninsured individuals.

Coverage Limit

You are only covered up to your liability limit.  If you often have people over, such as friends or delivery drivers, consider the cost of typical medical expenses.  Basic coverage is a must, though you may opt for higher coverage, especially in areas where weather conditions often cause accidents.

read comments (0)

Though you may think all natural disasters are included automatically in your home insurance policy, earthquake coverage often isn’t.  If you live in an earthquake prone area, you should check your policy to see if damage caused by an earthquake is covered.  In most cases, earthquake coverage is extra.  It is up to you to decide whether or not you actually need the coverage.

Where You Live

Check the history of the area where you live.  Have there been earthquakes in the past?  If so, how many and how frequently?  Another aspect to check is the magnitude of any earthquakes.  If there have been earthquakes, but there’s never been any reported structural damage, you are in a low risk zone.

If you live in an area near a fault line, earthquake coverage should be considered, even if the history shows few or no earthquakes.  If your home is located in an area with semi-frequent or frequent earthquakes, even if they just cause moderate damage, you should make certain your home insurance policy includes earthquake coverage.

What Does it Cover?

Earthquake coverage takes care of all damages to your home and belongings that occur as a direct result of an earthquake, tremor or aftershock, if property coverage is included in your policy.  Earthquakes occur randomly, meaning you may not have any warning as to when you’ll need coverage, if ever.  To protect your home in an earthquake prone zone, the extra money you will spend on coverage is well worth the peace of mind.

read comments (0)

You spend time finding clothes that fit just right; you need to do the same with your insurance coverage.  Property cover or contents cover is a very personal thing; no two policies are exactly alike because no two situations are exactly alike.  Spending a few minutes exploring costs and coverage can make the difference between suffering a loss and being able to recover your possessions.
 
Think about what you own; better yet, take a tour of your home and write down the major items you see.  Do you own artwork, musical instruments or jewellery?  What about furnishings of value, like leather sofas?  Don’t forget computers, laptops, cell phones, mp3 players, and similar items.  How about collections?  Do you own a collection of books, stamps, coins, antiques, or other similar items?  All these should be accounted for, and valued, when you choose your home insurance. 

Outline specifically what you want, including any floater policies for items of exceptional value like jewellery, and then compare home insurance with the exact same coverage limits from several companies.  You’ll likely find that the prices vary widely.  Get multiple quotes from each company with different deductibles.  Ask about discounts for bundling your home and auto insurance, paying via bank debit, or similar discounts.

Your situation is different than that of your friends and neighbours, and your insurance coverage should be, as well.  Spend the time to find out exactly what you need and compare costs across several companies to find the right ‘fit’ for you.

read comments (0)

No one looks forward to the task of comparing home insurance rates. However, in actual fact it can be an enjoyable task. You can compare home insurance provided by lots of different companies and gain a better insight into the policies you are offered. Furthermore you can also see whether you can negotiate with the companies. This may enable you to select a policy from the provider you like the most.

Some people seem happy to swap providers every year in order to chase the lowest possible premium they can get. In other situations they might consider staying with the same provider all the time because they are happy with the service they get. They may have had cause to make a claim on their policy for example. If they were impressed with the response they got, they may wish to continue with them for that reason alone.

When you compare home insurance quotations, you need to negotiate for the best price you can. You may have received a more expensive quote from one provider, and a cheaper one from another provider you liked less. You should go back to the more expensive provider and ask for a reduction to the cheaper quote you had from elsewhere. They may say no but until you ask you will never know what the response could be.

If you feel self conscious doing this, do not worry. Some people get nervous asking for a reduction but remember that the people at these companies will have come across people negotiating before. It might just get you a cheaper premium too.

read comments (0)

With the cost of living being particularly worrisome now, it makes sense to try to cut costs wherever you can. However, when it comes to something as important as house insurance, it is vital to ensure you do not lose the degree of cover you require.

The correct house insurance policy will be one that gives you good cover and does not prove to be too expensive either. The best way to find such cover is often to take advantage of the online price comparison sites. These are very popular and many people use them regularly.

These sites enable you to search for the required policy in a fraction of the time it would take you to contact all the individual companies. It also means you do not have to make many phone calls, since all the information can be found online. You can save any quotations you may be interested in taking up. Once you have decided which company to get your insurance from you can go ahead and complete the process.

It is good to know that renewing your insurance is much easier and more pleasant today than ever before, due to the internet shortening the length of time it can take to find the most suitable policy. Just be sure not to rush through the process as you have the opportunity to find house insurance that will be cost effective and worthwhile to have. Rest assured it is easier than you think to get the cover you need.

read comments (0)

Whether you already have home insurance and just want lower premiums or if you’re looking for a new insurer, there are several ways to find cheaper insurance for your home.  With a little research and preparation, you could find a much lower cost provider or decrease the premiums from your existing provider.

Location

If you haven’t bought a home yet, try to find a home in an ideal area.  Look for an area with low flood and earthquake risks.  Also try to find an area that is close to a fire department.  Buy a home that is in good condition.  All of these factors will help decrease your home insurance premiums.

Secure Your Home

For an existing home, adding security features such as deadbolt locks, security systems and smoke alarms can greatly decrease your current premiums.  This will also help you find lower home insurance quotes if you’re looking for a new provider.

Opt for Higher Excess

The higher excess you choose, the lower your premiums.  You’ll still be covered, but you are required to pay the excess before insurance takes over the cost of repairs or property.  Be sure to choose the right combination of coverage and excess to fit your budget.  If you can’t afford the excess, then higher premiums are best for you.

Discounts and Bonuses

Look for new providers offering new member discounts.  For existing insurers, call your provider about discounts or bonuses.  For providers offering different types of insurance, look into combining policies for a discount.  Some insurers also offer no claims bonuses.  This can be in the form of a yearly refund or discount off your premium.

read comments (0)

Though it happens rarely, sometimes home insurance companies do go out of business.  If you have a policy with such a company, you may be left wondering who will pay your claims and whether you will receive any type of refund.  Rest assured that you are covered if you make a claim and your insurance company is unable to pay for any reason.

Coverage from Another Insurer

In some cases, another home insurance provider will take over the members from the closed provider.  The new provider will honour the member’s current coverage for the remainder of the coverage term.  You then have the option of continuing with the new provider under their own terms or finding a new provider.  The idea is to make certain you have the coverage you originally paid for.

Refunds

If possible, an insurance company will provide you with a refund of the unused portion of your coverage term.  They will pay any claims filed up until the point they announce their closure.  If a company goes bankrupt, a refund is highly unlikely.

FSA

The Financial Services Authority regulates financial services in the UK.  They use funds from the FSCS to provide coverage on claims made when a home insurance provider ceases to exist.  You will still need to find a new insurer, but any outstanding claims will be paid in full.  This provides consumers a fail-safe should their provider close for any reason, especially bankruptcy, when the company cannot afford to pay claims.

read comments (0)