Home Insurance Top Tips

1 in 3 residents in the UK become the victims of burglary at some point in their lives and damage from increasingly icy winters, fire and flood is on the rise; yet approximately 1/4 of the UK population don’t take out home insurance. For most people, their home is the most valuable thing they own and the loss of its structure or contents would be both financially and emotionally devastating. Home insurance can help alleviate some of the weight that thought carries and give us all that important piece of mind...

Discover Property Advice Blog's invaluable home insurance top tips before choosing your policy:

• Lower the risk of damage and theft of your property. Increase the security and safety measures in and around your home and help lower your premiums.
• Combined policies may save you money on a package deal but might not offer the complete cover you need. Assess your contents and buildings insurance separately first before you decide on a package.
• Tailor the cover to specifically suit your needs. However, think carefully about too many add-ons to your policy if they are not absolutely necessary, as some can add up to 25% on your annual premium.
• Keep an up-to-date inventory of all of your valuables. Remember to add any new items bought or gifted to you, to your list of contents; this will help when renewing your policy.
• Don't claim unless you absolutely need to. Not claiming on your policy will not only save you money on the excess but will also help build your no claims bonus which will reap rewards in future annual premium quotes.

Cutting the cost of your annual premium

Options to help you keep down the costs:

• Increase your excess - you can lower your annual premium if you voluntarily agree to pay a higher excess if you claim. By upping your cost commitment, you are lowering your risk factor to the Insurer – but make sure the amount of excess you choose is a price you can afford to pay, should you need to claim.
• Combine your policies - some providers may offer a package deal that includes comprehensive home insurance cover for all of the properties you own. Just make sure that you check your policy covers you if you then rent your properties out.
• No claims discount - by NOT claiming on your policy, you will be building up your no claims bonus and will normally receive a discount on your annual premium each year from your Insurer as a reward.
• Pay your premiums annually - paying a one-off charge each year can save you money as many insurance providers will charge you extra for the privilege of paying by a monthly direct debit.

Security measures to reduce your risk and lower your premiums

• Locks - If you've moved to a new home you never know who might still have a key, so change your locks. It is also important to maintain your locks. Five-lever mortise locks are recommended for external doors while windows should ideally have two bolt locks.
• Alarms - install effective burglar and fire alarms. Installing systems recommended by your insurance provider, could save you up to 7.5% on your annual premium.
• Security lighting - security lighting works on a sensor and will light up your property when it detects a visitor. Not only will this deter burglars but will also act as a safety feature, lessening accidents by a third party on your property.
• Time-switch lights - insurers aren’t keen on homes that are vacant as they are more vulnerable to theft when no-one’s around. Timer-switches on your lights will give the false impression someone’s home.
• Away from home - as above. If you know you’re not going to be around, make sure you cancel newspaper and/or milk deliveries. Also ask a neighbour or trusted friend to regularly check the property, collect your post and open the curtains once in a while to let people know that the property is being frequently watched.
• Hide your keys – leaving them on a table next to the front door is commonplace but watch out for 'hook n crook' thieves who can swipe them through the letterbox and open the door. Also, don’t leave spare keys in obvious hiding places, like under the doormat or inside the porch light.
• Neighbourhood watch - joining a local campaign can help you be more vigilant and aware of crime in your community, plus your participation can also help to reduce your premiums by up to 5%.
• Know your valves - find out where your main water valves are that are connected to your header tank. If your pipes become frozen and/or burst and you find yourself suffering from water escapement, you can turn off water immediately and cut down on the damage done.
• Stopping subsidence - avoid this common problem from progressing into a costly nightmare by looking out for tell tale signs such as doors & windows starting to stick, diagonal cracks across the wall & ripples in the wallpaper.
• Avoiding fires - simply started and in most cases, simply avoided. Fitting a smoke alarm is your first line of defense and essential to prevent widespread damage and to help lower your premiums. Utilise your common sense when it comes to cooking, smoking, matches and candles, plus make sure your home is safe before going to bed/leaving your house by making sure fire doors are shut, electrical equipment unplugged and everything extinguished.