Am I insured if I work at home after lockdown?
Q IF I continue to work from home after the lockdown, will it impact my home insurance cover?
A AT the beginning of lockdown, the Association of British Insurers said customers didn’t need to inform their insurer if they were working from home because government advice was to work at home. This is due for review on September 1 and the ABI says customers’ insurance won’t be affected in the interim “regardless of the Government’s advice to return to work”.
However, it is best to inform your insurer, especially if you’re able to return to work but are choosing to work from home, and ask if it affects your policy.
Q ARE possessions taken on a staycation covered?
A USUALLY travel insurance covers possessions when you are abroad, but many people are choosing to holiday in the UK and most people don’t take out travel insurance when they take a break here.
Most home insurance policies have personal possessions cover to protect items away from home for loss, damage or theft. But you will need to check the terms of your own policy to ensure you have this cover. Also, be aware of your policy’s limits, such as how many consecutive days your items are covered for.
Q HOW can I tell if I am underinsured?
A GO room by room and list all of your possessions and note down what each would cost to replace new, not forgetting carpets, curtains, the loft, garden and anything in outbuildings. You need to review this regularly, including any time a large purchase is made, and inform your insurer of changes.
It can be hard to calculate, so many insurers offer blanket or limitless cover for a higher premium. Others let you increase or tailor cover so you just pay for what you need.
Ensure you have your most precious items fully covered. They may need to be added to your policy as a specified item if they are above the single-item limit, which is typically £1,500 to £2,000.
Q MY son starts university soon and will be living away. Will he need separate cover?
A NEVER assume contents are covered while in university halls or rented accommodation. The buildings will be covered and any contents the landlord owns (white goods etc), but this is unlikely to cover contents brought in by students, especially when there could potentially be multiple laptops and phones in one home.
Some insurers cover contents away from home as standard, others won’t, and may have a limit on time, ie 60 or 90 consecutive days. So you need to check your policy and find out if you can add this or find standalone cover for your son.
■ Expert home insurance advice provided by Simon Stanney, general insurance director at Sunlife