Home Insurance Vital for Peace of Mind

Home insurance vital for peace of mind

Our homes are supposed to be the places where we feel most safe and secure – yet nearly half of all Brits (43 per cent) admit that they don’t always feel safe in their own houses according to a survey by Halifax home insurance.

Worries range from noises in the street to being alone at night, with unexpected visitors also causing concern. Even though our homes are supposed to be the environment in which we’re most content they can actually leave us feeling vulnerable.

However, there is a way to ease our concerns – with an adequate home insurance policy.

How home insurance can help

The survey found that the top property fears are burglary, theft of belongings kept outside the home and fires – all of which can be covered as part of a comprehensive home insurance deal.

Though home insurance cannot prevent the worst from happening it is there to pick up the pieces in case things go wrong. For example if your home is burgled and many of your contents are stolen, most home insurance providers will offer cover on a new-for-old basis meaning you can actually pick up a brand new version of the item that was taken.

To ensure you have true peace of mind however, you shouldn’t simply opt for every cover option on offer from an insurer – do that and your premiums could be extortionate. Instead sensibly review what cover you do and don’t need and make an assessment based on this.

For example, there is little point in taking out accidental damage cover if you live alone and aren’t planning to undertake any DIY projects any time soon. Accidental damage cover is better suited to families with small children or pets. Also, do you need cover for electronic equipment that you don’t actually own? Are you paying for garden contents cover when all you have is a small backyard?

Perhaps the most important element with a home insurance policy is to review it regularly and ensure it’s up to date. Make a conscious effort to assess the value of the contents in your home at least once a year – preferably after Christmas when many new items may appear – to ensure you have protection in place. This is also an ideal opportunity to shop around and see if you could be enjoying a cheaper deal with another provider.

How you can find home insurance without breaking the bank

Though home insurance can provide crucial peace of mind, in the current economic environment the biggest fear for many homeowners is their finances – and home insurance may seem like one expense you can do without.

While it isn’t a legal necessity to take out home insurance cover in the UK, it could be costly to skip a policy just to save a few pounds. Imagine for example, if your house burnt down and you had no home insurance cover in place – the cost of replacing the home would be much more than most can afford.

So the key is to find home insurance that adequately covers your building and contents but doesn’t cost over the odds. Ironically some of the best ways to save on home insurance are also ways that can add to your peace of mind.

For example, fitting burglar alarms and other security devices including time-switch lights, security lighting and surveillance cameras at your home can all help you earn a discount as long as you inform your insurer they are in place. Fitting high quality door and window locks – such as five-lever mortise locks – can also cut your premiums, as can joining a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

If your biggest fear at home is fire then install smoke alarms and fire extinguishers – both of which can earn you reductions on your home insurance premiums. Remember however, that you must keep these items in good working order and check them regularly – you may be deemed negligent, and therefore have a home insurance claim thrown out, if you fail to keep these features in good condition.

Since the credit crunch, our finances have been the subject of fear and worry for many homeowners. However, if your home insurance renewal quote is higher than the previous year you shouldn’t just scrap the cover altogether. Instead use a comparison website to compare home insurance policies from multiple providers – you may even finder a cheaper deal that offers more extensive coverage.