Remember the old advert on TV 'Oils aint Oils'

Well guess what - There could not be a more perfect phrase for Home and Contents Insurance

There are 3 basic levels of coverage

1. Limited Listed Events - Covers the bare essentials, Fire, Storm, Theft and that is about it.  We choose not to sell this coverage
2. Listed Events - An event must happen that is listed in the Policy Wording to trigger a claim
3. Accidental Damage - Now this is the Cover we recommend and I personal insist upon for my own personal insurance policy

Listed Events

These Policies will have a list of events that must happen to give rise to a claim (Fire, Storm and Tempest, Lightening, Theft, most automatically cover Glass Breakage and Motor Burnout coverage - but in some cheaper policies these are optional, etc.  A Listed Events Policy can cover Flood if it is on the list of insurable events)  These Policies cost less than Accidental Damage Policies and generally only cover your contents at your Home Address.

Accidental Damage

These Policies cover events that are sudden and unforseen, provided the event is not listed as an exclusion under the Policy.  Most exclusions are for things like, Termites, War, intentional damage by you or a person acting under authority from you etc.  This is they type of Policy we sell the most of at Simplex, which is probally why 100% of people who made a claim under their Policy last year with Simplex rated our Claims Service as Excellent - Image how great our staff feel when a person calls up and says, I have done something really silly, I know I am not covered but just thought I should ring and make sure - and we are able to say, Yes your Policy willl respond to such a claim - The Policies also provide a limited amount of coverage outside the home too.

An example of this is a client who had some pain in their shed and they laid drop sheets over the carpet in the Rumpus room they were going to paint, they took the lid off the can, gave it a great stir, then lifted it up to start painting - The bottom had rusted through and dropped out - The client panicked and ran through the house with the paint tin to get it outside on the way spilling paint on the carpet throughout the house.  THis would not have been covered under a Listed Events Policy but was under an Accidental Damage Policy.

My favourite example that comes to mind was one where I ended up feeling the Silly one - A client came in and wanted to make a claim, telling me their Son was playing in front of the Plasma TV and the WII hit the Plasma and it cracked the screen - I had not heard of a WII at this stage so I am thinking of Wee - I said to the client 'Wow I have not heard of that happening before maybe the Plasma Screen was hot and your son's wee was cold - He looked at me very odd - I asked how old his son was - He said in his 20's, so then I looked really puzzled and said "wow - He is a bit old to be weeing on the TV!!" The client finally realised what I was thinking and Explained what a WII was - I know know as my Son has a WII and we have had many claims under Home Policies from clients who gravitate towards the TV whilst playing WII Tennis, or Boxing!

But beware always check if you want Flood Coverage as even though you may be paying for an Accidental Damage Policy Flood is listed as an exclusion in some wordings

My Tip -If you want to save money but still have top coverage see what discount you can get for having a Higher Excess. But always insist on an Accidental Damage Policy that covers FLOOD too.

SO my Top 10 Tips for getting quotes on your Home and Conents Insurance

1. Use a Broker, they will do the shopping for you and ensure you get the best deal.  A Broker works for YOU not the Insurance Company
2. When getting quotes if you have a Policy already ask for a written comparison of Coverage for the Policy you have now and the Policy being recommened to you - Not just a list of the Features and Benefits of what they are selling you but a Real List of the Benefits you enjoy now under your Current Policy and the Policy that is being recommended to you. 
3. Ask - Am I covered for Items away from my Home
4. Ask - Does the Policy Cover Flood
5. Ask - What is the Item Limit on Jewellery Items and Antiques
6. Ask - Do I need to list any special collections that I have to ensure if I have a claim they are fully covered
7. Ask - What is the Excess, can I get a discount if I elect to have a higher Excess, if so how much will I save
8. Ask - Is the Policy you are quoting me a Listed Events or Accidental Damage Policy
9. Ask -Who do I ring if I have a claim - Can I call you for help since you sold me the Policy if I am unhappy with the claims service
10. Ask - Can I pay Monthly at No Extra Cost to help me with my finances