Your home is your safe place. Having home insurance means you can breathe easy, knowing you’re covered if something unexpected happens. Whether it’s house insurance, contents insurance, landlord cover, or holiday home insurance, each one helps protect the things that matter most to you. But here’s something many people forget it’s just as important to review your policy every year as it is to have it in the first place. Let’s chat about why.
Your Home and Belongings Change Over Time
Renovations and Upgrades? Time to Update
Have you built an extension, fitted a new kitchen, or given your roof a much-needed makeover? These changes can increase the value of your home and the cost to rebuild it. It’s important to tell your insurer, so your buildings sum insured covers all those improvements including debris removal and professional fees if the worst happens.
Bought Something New? Let Your Insurance Catch
Up Treated yourself to a new TV, a fancy laptop, a special piece of jewellery, or a piece of art? You’ll want to make sure your contents insurance reflects these new treasures. Some pricier items might need to be listed separately, so it’s worth double-checking.
Higher Property Value Means Higher Costs
As property values rise, so do rebuilding costs. If you haven’t updated your policy, you might end up underinsured when you need help most. You can use a rebuilding cost calculator to make sure you’re covered have a look here.
Life Changes Can Affect Your Cover
New Faces at Home
Getting married, welcoming a new baby, or someone moving out? These changes can affect the type of cover you need. It’s a good idea to check your policy so it matches your life right now.
Renting Out Your Home? You’ll Need Different Cover
Decided to rent out your home or part of it? Standard home insurance usually won’t cover you properly. Landlord insurance can protect you against things like loss of rental income or damage caused by tenants. Just let your insurer know not doing so might leave you without cover when you really need it.
Using Your Home as a Holiday Home? Update Your Insurance
If your property is now a holiday home or only used some of the year, you’ll need holiday home insurance. It covers different risks, like when the place is empty for long stretches. Always let your insurer know about these changes.
Rebuilding Costs Are Always Rising
Building materials and labour costs keep going up, which means it could cost a lot more to rebuild your home now than when you first took out your policy. Make sure your sum insured is up to date, so you’re not left short.
Find New Discounts and Save
Loyalty and Bundles
Some insurers offer loyalty rewards or discounts when you bundle policies together, like your home and car insurance. Worth asking about, right?
Security Upgrades Could Mean Savings
Upgraded your locks, added an alarm, or fitted smoke detectors? You might get a discount on your premium, especially if your upgrades meet your insurer’s standards.
Special Savings for Landlord or Holiday Home Insurance
If you have landlord or holiday home insurance, a yearly review can help you discover new discounts or options that fit you better.
Keep Up with Local Risks
Weather can change, and so can local risks like flooding or higher crime rates. Reviewing your cover helps make sure you’re protected against what’s happening in your area now.
Avoid Gaps in Your Cover
Got new gadgets or furniture but forgot to update your contents insurance? You could be left out of pocket if something happens. The same goes for landlords and holiday homeowners — if you don’t update your policy, you might not be covered for important things like loss of rental income or extra security risks.
Stay in Line with Your Mortgage
Most mortgage lenders expect you to keep proper home insurance. If your policy isn’t up to date, it could cause issues or penalties if you need to make a claim.
Enjoy True Peace of Mind
Reviewing your home insurance each year isn’t just another task on your list. It’s about knowing you, your family, and your home are truly protected. You can get on with life, knowing you’ve got the right safety net in place.
Protect Your Home and Your Pocket
Your home, your things, and your rental properties deserve the best protection. By checking your home insurance every year, you make sure your cover keeps up with your life and any changes to your home. You’ll avoid nasty surprises and enjoy peace of mind knowing you’re well looked after.
Chat to your insurance advisor today