Public Servant Lifestyle

Giving some thought to home insurance, with the Civil Service Insurance Society (CSIS).

All of us need to insure our homes, but how many of us give it any real thought?

In this age of being bombarded with marketing messages from dozens of insurance companies on a daily basis, it is very easy to just pick up the phone to the first one and get seduced by the call centre operatives on the other end.

Taking a moment to think about the type of insurance cover you need, and the kind of customer service you would like to receive before making that call, can help make the whole process as quick and simple as possible, whilst being good for your pocket and for your peace of mind.

Price

Of course, we all want to pay as little as possible for our home insurance, but as with most things, you get what you pay for. Price and value go hand in hand, but price is what you pay, and value is what you get for your money. Never before have there been so many web-based insurance providers vying for our business, offering discounts or reduced premiums, but when deciding who to call, make sure you ask about the “hidden” extras.

Some companies realise that price is often the driving factor, and they will often provide a 'bare bones' quotation to secure your initial interest. This is where the add-ons can start. “Want Legal Expenses Cover added? That’ll cost more. Want cover away from the home? That’ll cost more. Want to pay monthly? That’ll cost more.”

It is easy to agree to a policy without realising the extent of the subsequent administration fees or interest charges some companies levy. Don’t assume there aren’t any until you have asked.

Service

Many of us are getting increasingly frustrated with call-centres; both UK and non-UK based, and are seeking a more personal approach. When arranging home insurance cover, we are effectively covering all our worldly goods which, valuable or not, are all that we own, so it is of little surprise to know that many of us want to talk to someone who can reassure us and guide us through the process.

Make sure you choose a company who you are confident will help you, and who you can trust to provide a policy to meet your needs. If you want to be able to talk to the same person twice, maybe a national call-centre based company is not for you. Also, some companies invest more than others to ensure their employees are professionally trained and competent, so the way you wish to be looked after should always have a bearing on who you choose.

Cover

Arguably the most important aspect of buying insurance, but the one which most of us know very little about is the level of insurance cover we are actually getting.

Remember, value is what you get, so how would you want your insurance provider to react when you have a burst pipe in the middle of the night, or come home to find the back door forced?

It is important to know that you can choose to include accidental damage to your house in case you drill through a pipe or spill wine on the carpet, and cover your favourite vase against accidental breakage, but does your policy cover your garden furniture, or cover you for losing your wallet in the supermarket? If you do need to claim, how much would you have to pay towards any claim you make? Will the company pay out quickly?

These are all important considerations when arranging your insurance, and there has never been a better time to consider your options. Insurance is viewed by many as a necessary evil, but there are plenty of providers and policies to choose from, so the least we can do is make sure that our money is well spent.

As it is no longer compulsory to have to insure your house with your mortgage company, we should all make sure we are getting a good deal by checking out the many great offers available.

Hopefully, we will never have to put our own policies to the test, and will never have to make a claim, but knowing that we can trust someone to be there when we need them is what insurance is all about – Peace of Mind.

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