Best ways to ensure your insurance is up to the job

Having insurance brings peace of mind should the worst happen – but it may not be until you actually come to make a claim, that a stumbling block you weren’t expecting crops up.

By doing a bit of homework however, you could help ensure you have the right type of cover in place.

Andy Briggs, chief executive officer at Aviva UK Insurance, says: “There is a lot that people can do to help ensure their claims are settled quickly in a fuss-free way, and that’s to really understand what their policies do and don’t cover, to add to their cover if there is something missing, and to be completely open with their insurer about any pre-existing matters that won’t be covered.”

Here are Aviva’s top tips for consumers, to help ensure there are no nasty surprises when a claim is made...

Home insurance

If you have a standard policy, consider whether you need additional cover for accidental damage to contents, or home emergency and boiler breakdown cover.

Most home policies don’t cover gradual wear and tear, the effects of damp and dry rot, or damage to fences, gates and hedges – so make sure your home is well maintained. Keep your insurer informed if you make changes.

Travel insurance

Make sure you tell your insurer what they need to know about your health, such as any pre-existing medical conditions or tests and investigations.

Try to arrange your travel insurance from the day a holiday is booked – not the day the holiday starts. This will help to make sure you’re covered if the trip is cancelled. Motor insurance

Know your policy excess – the amount you need to pay in the event of a claim before the insurance company pays the remainder.

Also, many of us keep possessions in the car. Consider personal belongings cover on your home contents policy to cover possessions in case they are lost, damaged or stolen while in your car. You may also want to consider a dashcam, which can help prove who’s at fault if you have an accident.

Life insurance, critical illness and income protection

You could risk your claim being turned down if you fail to provide accurate statements about health and lifestyle when taking out a policy, as insurers would not have been made aware of potentially relevant information.

Life events, such as starting a family or getting a bigger mortgage, could mean your protection cover no longer meets your needs, so make sure you regularly review it.

Health insurance

Be aware that you may well not be covered for any medical condition you had before taking a policy out. Different policies offer varying levels of protection – you may want to add on extras.

Finally, always check if you’re unclear about your insurance Contact your insurer and ask them to explain.