How can I make sure I get the right insurance?
A-Plan makes sure to properly understand the needs of our individual clients and we are able to do this via our local branches and because we take the time to listen. We can then propose a choice of suitable policies from our panel of insurers that meet those needs rather than trying to make the policy fit the client. In addition, through our relationships with our insurers, we can very often save clients money while getting them more comprehensive cover.
How do I ensure my possessions are valued correctly?
Get some advice – getting the right advice is very important. At A-Plan, we guide our clients through this process, in person or on the phone, to make sure that they are able to build a comprehensive picture of their home contents sum insured. We can also advise on the best way to work out an accurate and up-to-date valuation. We are able to point out items that are often forgotten and can also give our clients a ‘contents checklist’ of items to include. We advise repeating this process every couple of years to ensure the value remains accurate.
What are some common household items people tend to forget to insure?
Items that are commonly overlooked aren’t usually the high-value items such as laptops, electronics and expensive jewellery, but lower value items which can quickly add up.
For example:
• contents kept in the loft, garage or outbuildings, such as garden tools and garden furniture, Christmas decorations and luggage
• crystal glassware and china dinner services
• bedding, linen and mattresses for each bedroom
People often under-estimate the value of their clothes (including shoes, handbags, and accessories) which can total £10,000 per adult aged over 30. Items that people often miss all together are curtains, blinds, carpets and rugs. These alone tend to carry a minimum valuation of £20,000 in homes over £250,000 value!
Can a policy be specifically designed for my home?
A-Plan specialises in doing just that. We want to make sure that the insurance cover you have for your home is the right cover and that there will be no nasty surprises if you do need to make a claim. We have been providing this level of personal service to our clients since we first opened in the 1960s.
See also: Home Insurance: A Guide for First-Time Buyers
What if I need specialist home insurance?
As well as standard buildings and contents insurance A-Plan offers specialist cover in a number of areas. Our high value home insurance team is able to offer individually tailored policies and a level of service to match. We also have specialist teams looking at holiday home insurance (UK and Europe), non-standard construction, thatched properties, homes in flood risk areas and much more. With our extensive local knowledge and access to a panel of specialist insurers, we can help where other online brokers struggle.
What sort of things generally aren’t covered by home insurance?
In line with other home insurance policies there will be general exclusions which, for example, will be paying the first part towards a claim (the excess), damage caused by domestic pets, cover for theft if the loss is not reported to the police and wear and tear or mechanical breakdown of white goods.
These are general exclusions with many if not all insurers, however, the most important advice we could give is to talk to us. We will explain all onerous terms very carefully to you and in language that you will understand. That way in the event of a claim there is no uncertainty of it being paid.
Does it matter if I am over-insured?
If you are over-insured, you are likely to be paying too much unnecessarily! A good insurance broker will be able to properly advise you and help you find a policy more suited to your needs and also potentially save you money.
See also: Shopping for Home Insurance
Once I have an insurance policy, how do I keep it up to date?
Talk to us. If there have been any changes in circumstances, please let your branch know. The types of changes you need to let us know about are included in your policy documents. If you are unsure, please just pick up the phone and we can advise you. It is wise to regularly review your home contents cover in particular and from time to time your buildings. We would advise checking the value of your contents every couple of years and are happy to help in guiding you through this process.
What is the easiest way to make a claim?
Whether it’s a motor, home or any other type of claim, we recommend speaking to your branch in the first instance as they are there to help. You will be able to speak to an adviser who can make arrangements for you and ensure your claim is dealt with as quickly as possible with the minimum of fuss. If you need to speak to someone urgently outside our normal trading hours, our website will direct you to important telephone numbers where you can get immediate assistance.
What are some the benefts of choosing A-Plan?
All insurance brokers claim they are the best and offer great service. We really do! Don’t take our word for it though. Our clients are our best advertisement. We score 4.8/5 for satisfaction in over 2000 reviews (www.reviews.co.uk) and our testimonials speak for themselves.
For more information visit: www.aplan.co.uk
See also: Use Protection
