Category: Home Insurance

When it comes to protecting your home in Ireland, having a comprehensive home insurance policy is crucial. However, understanding the various terms and jargon used in home insurance policies can be challenging. To help you navigate through the intricacies of home insurance in Ireland, this blog will explain some important jargon, ensuring you have a clear understanding of key terms and concepts.

1. Buildings Insurance:

Buildings insurance covers the structure of your home, including the walls, roof, floors, and permanent fixtures like kitchens and bathrooms. It provides protection against perils such as fire, storm damage, subsidence, and vandalism. It’s important to note that buildings insurance is usually a requirement when obtaining a mortgage in Ireland.

2. Contents Insurance:

Contents insurance covers the belongings inside your home, such as furniture, appliances, electronics, clothing, and personal possessions. It protects against risks such as theft, fire, accidental damage, and flood. It’s essential to accurately estimate the value of your contents to ensure you have sufficient coverage.

3. Accidental Damage:

Accidental damage coverage protects against unexpected and unintentional damage caused to your property or belongings. This can include incidents like spilling a glass of wine on the carpet, breaking a valuable vase, or damaging a TV while moving furniture. Review your policy to determine the extent of accidental damage coverage provided.

4. All-Risks Cover:

All-risks cover, also known as personal possessions cover, extends protection to valuable items that you often take outside your home, such as jewellery, watches, laptops, and cameras. This coverage offers protection against loss, theft, or damage, whether you’re at home or abroad. Some policies may have specific limits or require additional endorsements for high-value items.

5. Excess:

The excess is the amount you agree to pay towards a claim before your insurance coverage takes effect. It can be a fixed amount or a percentage of the claim value. For example, if your policy has an excess of €250 and you file a claim for €1,000, you would be responsible for paying the first €250, while the insurance company would cover the remaining €750.

6. No-Claims Discount:

A no-claims discount (NCD) is a reward given by insurance companies to policyholders who do not make any claims during a specified period. It is usually offered as a percentage reduction on the annual premium and can increase over time if you maintain a claim-free record. NCD encourages responsible policyholders and can significantly lower your insurance costs.

7. Subsidence:

Subsidence refers to the downward movement of the ground beneath a building, causing damage to its structure. In Ireland, subsidence is a common issue, particularly in areas with clay soil. Home insurance policies typically cover subsidence damage, but it’s essential to review the specific terms and conditions regarding this peril.

8. Premium Loading:

Premium loading is an additional charge applied to your insurance premium based on specific risk factors. It can be due to factors such as the age or condition of your property, previous claims history, or the location of your home. Premium loading may increase your premium but can also be a way to secure coverage for properties with higher risks.

Becoming familiar with home insurance jargon in Ireland empowers homeowners to make informed decisions and choose policies that provide adequate protection. By understanding terms such as buildings insurance, contents insurance, accidental damage, all-risks cover, excess, no-claims discount, subsidence, and premium loading, you can navigate the world of home insurance more confidently. Remember to carefully review your policy, ask questions, and seek guidance from an Insurance Broker to ensure you have the right coverage to safeguard your home and belongings.

Our home is generally our most valuable possession and one that we want to protect with insurance. Moreover, it is generally a condition of the terms and conditions of a mortgage or home loan that the property be properly insured. However, most home owners want to know how they can obtain home insurance at the best value.

Go to an Insurance Broker, Who Will Shop the Market

Your Insurance Broker will obtain quotes from multiple insurance providers to find the most competitive rates. They will save you the bother of contacting multiple insurance companies. They will make sure to compare coverage options as well to ensure you’re getting the protection you need.

Increase Your Deductible or Excess

A deductible or excess is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. By opting for a higher deductible, you can lower your premium. However, ensure you can comfortably afford the deductible amount in case you need to make a claim.

Bundle Your Policies

Some insurance companies may offer discounts if you buy multiple policies with them, such as home and motor insurance. Inquire with your Insurance Broker about whether this is an option for you, to reduce your overall insurance costs.

Improve Home Security

Installing security systems, burglar alarms, smoke detectors, and deadbolts can make your home safer and potentially lower your insurance premiums. Inform your Insurance Broker about these features to see if you qualify for any discounts.

Maintain a Good Credit Score

Insurance companies often consider credit scores when determining premiums. Maintaining a good credit score demonstrates financial responsibility and can lead to lower insurance costs.

Review Your Coverage Regularly

Ensure your insurance policy accurately reflects the value of your home and contents. Discuss this with your Insurance Broker to ensure that you understand what is included in home and what is included in contents coverage. Periodically reassess your coverage needs to avoid over-insuring or under-insuring your property. Adjusting your coverage appropriately can help reduce costs.

Ask About Discounts

Inquire about available discounts with your Insurance Broker. If you do not ask, you do not get!  The Insurance Broker may know that your insurer may offer specific discounts based on factors such as age, non-smoking household, or membership in certain organizations. Additionally, some insurers provide discounts for installing certain safety features or having a claims-free history

Maintain a Claims-Free History

Avoid filing small claims if possible, as frequent claims can (and probably will) lead to increased premiums. Save your insurance claims for major incidents and handle smaller repairs and expenses on your own.

Consider the Location and Construction of your Home

Certain factors, such as proximity to a fire station, or the use of fire-resistant materials in construction, or proximity to a river known to flood, can influence your insurance costs. If you plan to buy a home, consider these factors in your decision-making process.

Review Your Policy Annually

Review your policy annually with your Insurance Broker to ensure you are not paying for unnecessary coverage, or missing out on potential discounts. Changes in your circumstances or upgrades to your home might qualify you for adjustments to your policy.

Remember, while it is very important to reduce costs, it is equally crucial to maintain adequate coverage for your home. Balancing affordability with the level of protection you need is key when optimizing your home insurance policy.  Speak to your Insurance Broker if you need advice on any element of your home insurance needs.

Secure Your Home:

Make sure all windows, doors, and other entry points are properly locked before leaving. Install deadbolt locks on exterior doors and reinforce sliding doors and windows. Consider installing a security system or surveillance cameras.

Use Timers For Lights And Electronics:

Set timers for lights, radios, or TVs to create the illusion that someone is home. This can deter potential burglars who may be watching for signs of an empty house.

Stop Mail And Newspaper Delivery:

Piled up mail or newspapers can indicate an empty home. Either request a temporary hold on deliveries or ask a trusted neighbour to collect them for you.

Maintain Your Garden Or Yard:

Hire someone or ask a neighbour to mow the lawn, water plants, and maintain the yard while you’re away. An unkempt yard can signal an empty home.

Don’t Announce Your Absence On Social Media:

Avoid posting about your vacation plans or sharing real-time updates while you’re away. Broadcasting your absence on social media can make your home an easy target for burglars.

Inform Trusted Neighbours Or Friends:

Let your neighbours or close friends know about your vacation plans. They can keep an eye on your property, report any suspicious activities, and even park their cars in your driveway to give the impression that someone is home.

Use Light Timers Or Smart Home Technology:

Consider using smart home devices that allow you to control lights, appliances, and even security systems remotely. You can program them to turn on and off at specific times, giving the impression that someone is present.

Secure Valuables:

Store valuable items, such as jewellery, important documents, and electronics, in a safe or lockbox. If a burglary does occur, having these items secured can help minimize losses.

Install Motion Sensor Lights:

Outdoor motion sensor lights can startle potential burglars and draw attention to their presence. Install them near entry points and areas with limited visibility around your home.

Alert The Police And Trusted Contacts:

If you’ll be away for an extended period, notify your local police department and provide them with information about your absence. Additionally, provide trusted contacts with your vacation itinerary and contact information in case of emergencies.

Check your Home Insurance:

Check the terms of your home insurance policy as it may not provide cover if your home is empty for an extended period (e.g. 30 days).

Remember, it’s essential to combine these precautions to create a layered security approach. By making your home appear occupied and implementing measures to deter burglars, you can reduce the likelihood of a break-in while you’re on vacation.

Underinsuring or overinsuring a property pose risks and potential consequences for the property owner.

Underinsuring a Property

Insufficient Coverage:

If you underinsure your property, you may not have adequate coverage to rebuild, repair, or replace your property in the event of a covered loss, such as a fire, natural disaster, or theft.

Financial Loss:

Underinsurance can lead to significant financial loss, as you may have to pay out of pocket for repairs or replacements that exceed your coverage limits. This can be especially problematic if you have a mortgage on the property, as the lender may still require you to repay the loan even if the property is damaged or destroyed.

Inadequate Liability Protection:

Homeowners insurance typically includes liability coverage, which protects you against legal claims if someone is injured on your property. Insufficient liability coverage can leave you exposed to financial risks and potential lawsuits.

Overinsuring a Property

Higher Premiums:

Overinsuring a property means purchasing more coverage than is necessary. This can result in higher insurance premiums since you’re paying for a higher level of coverage than you actually need.

Wasted Expenses:

Paying for excessive coverage that goes beyond the value of your property or belongings means you’re spending money on insurance that may never be utilized. This could be considered wasted expenses.

Insurance Fraud Suspicions:

Overinsuring a property by intentionally inflating its value can raise suspicions of insurance fraud, which can have legal consequences and result in denial of claims or other penalties.

It is crucial to obtain an accurate assessment of your property’s value. Consult with an Insurance Broker to make sure that you are not under insuring a valued asset, or overpaying for your property insurance. They will assist you to determine the appropriate coverage amount. Regularly reviewing and updating your insurance policy to reflect any changes in the property’s value or your circumstances is also important to ensure you have adequate coverage without unnecessary costs.