Direct Line Home Insurance
FAQs |
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Q: Is my PC covered?
A: Yes, the Contents policy automatically provides
cover for home computers, including accidental damage protection.
If you have a portable/laptop computer and require protection
for outside of the home, you will need to take out the optional
Personal Possessions cover. If the replacement value exceeds
£1500, then Direct Line are unable to offer cover
online - please call them for a quote.
Q: How much should I insure
my Home and Contents for?
A: This should be insured for its rebuilding
cost (not current market value), which can usually be found
on the buyers' report or survey obtained when you purchased
the property (although, if this was not in the last few
years, the figure will need to be increased in line with
inflation).
Alternatively, you can refer to your current Buildings insurance
policy to check the sum insured.
Direct Line's Quote and Buy system provides an estimated
rebuilding cost, based on Royal Institution of Chartered
Surveyors guidelines for the location, size, type and age
of your home.
Contents: As a guide, Contents are all of the items
you would be likely to take when moving out, including carpets,
curtains, furniture, electrical appliances, valuables, clothing
and personal effects. Your Contents sum insured must represent
the total current replacement cost of all such items in
your home. Direct Line's Quote and Buy system will provide
an estimate based on the size of your property. However,
this is only a basic guide and you should carefully assess
the total replacement value as new of the Contents in every
room of your home.
On the premium page there is the option to 'change sum
insured or excess'. Simply select this and enter the
sum insured required, the system will then recalucate the
premium.
Q: How do I find
an accurate figure for the re-build cost and/or contents
cost of my property?
A: The building sum insured stated is an estimate
of the minimum rebuild cost of the property. This is calculated
using the House Rebuilding Cost Index prepared by the Royal
Institute of Chartered Surveyors and is based on the location,
size, type and age of your home. B. The contents sum insured
is based on a percentage of the rebuild cost, and again
is an estimate of what may be an appropriate level of cover
for the size of property.
These figures are purely a guide and Direct Line accept
that they may not reflect your exact requirements. On the
premium page there is the option to 'change sum insured
or excess'. Simply select this and enter the sum insured
required, the system will then recalculate the premium.
Q: Do I need to specify all
of my valuable items such as furniture and stereo equipment?
A: No. You only need to specify items that are worth
more than £1,500 and fall under our definition of
a ‘Valuable’. We define Valuables as jewellery,
watches, furs, items or sets or collections of gold, silver
or other precious metals, works of art, sets of stamps or
coins or medals all belonging to you or any member of your
family.
Q: Are my belongings covered
outside the home or when I go on holiday?
A: Yes, if you take out the Personal Possessions
option your personal belongings (including up to £300
for Money and £500 for Credit Cards)will be covered
against theft, loss or accidental damage anywhere in the
British Isles and for up to 60 days abroad each year. Overseas
Travel cover is limited to £7500 for any one incident
and any individual items worth more than £1500 must
be specified on the policy.
Q: Is a bicycle theft covered
by my contents insurance?
A: If the bicycle is stolen from your home, (including
its garages or outbuildings) this is covered under standard
Cotents insurance. However, if the bicycle is stolen while
away from your home, it will only be covered if Pedal Cycle
cover has been selected - this is an optional extra.
Q: Do I need to provide proof
of ownership for all of my possessions?
A: No. However, in the event of a claim you may be
asked to provide evidence of value and ownership such as
purchase receipts and instruction manuals. It is essential
to provide such documentation for any valuables specified
on the policy, such as jewellery, watches or works of art.
Q: Do you offer a new for old policy?
A: Direct Line's Home Contents policies all provide
cover on a 'new for old' basis. However, a deduction will
be made for wear and tear in any claim settlement involving
clothing or any item or part which is not replaced or repaired.
Q: Will my policy include
any excesses?
A: You can select a voluntary Buildings and/or Contents
excess of between £0 and £500 - the system uses
a default of £100. The higher the voluntary excess
you select, the lower your annual premium will be.
If you choose to include Accidental Damage cover under either
section,a compulsory £25 excess applies in addition
to any voluntary excess. The Personal Possessions section
carries a compulsory excess of £50 or your voluntary
excess, whichever is higher.
The optional Pedal Cycles section includes a £15 excess.
Subsidence claims are subject to a minimum excess of £1000.
Q: Will my Buildings insurance
cover my outbuildings such as the garage and shed?
A: Yes. All domestic garages, outbuildings, sheds,
extensions and conservatories fall under the definition
of Buildings and are covered under that section. You should
make sure that your Buildings sum insured includes the rebuilding
cost of these structures.
Q: I am thinking about having
a burglar alarm system installed. Will this reduce my annual
Contents premium?
A: Direct Line currently offer two levels of alarm
discount on Contents insurance:
A 7.5% discount is available if the alarm system is installed
and maintained professionally.
A 12.5% discount is offered for professionally installed
and maintained alarm systems that automatically notify the
Police.
Q: What are the rules on
my contents cover if I want to work from home?
A: When you take out contents cover with us over
the internet, your policy automatically covers office equipment
in the home up to £5,000. This includes items such
as computers, printers, fax machines and photocopiers
Q: If I am adding an extension
to my home, will I be covered for damage to the new building?
A: Your Buildings policy automatically includes cover
for accidental breakage of fixed glass in windows/doors/roofs,
fixed sanitary ware and accidental damage to underground
drains, tanks, service pipes and cables.
However, until the extension is completed any loss or damage
to the extension and unfixed materials would normally be
the responsibility of the building contractors carrying
out the work.This is something you should check.
It is possible that your builder may require you to insure
the extension as part of your home insurance, under the
terms of a 'Minor Buildings Works' contract. If this is
the case, please call Direct Line on 0845 246 8703
for a quote, as this type of cover is not automatically
included.
Further more in depth Questions
and Answers can be obtained as part of the online booking
process.
