Your Home Insurance policy

Transcription

1 Your Home Insurance policy Home Insurance policy 1

2 This policy This product meets the demands and needs of those who require home building and/or contents insurance to protect against unexpected events Any word or expression used with a defined meaning in the policy has the same meaning wherever it appears. Words which use the masculine gender include the feminine and vice versa. Words using the singular include the plural and vice versa Signed on behalf of the Company David Furniss Chief Executive If you need any help or guidance, then please do not hesitate to contact us using the details listed. Contact 24-Hour Emergency Claims or Lines open 24hrs each day To ask for help in the event of an emergency outside of office hours Non-Emergency Claims or am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday To tell us about any incident which may give rise to a claim, or if you wish to discuss an existing claim Policy servicing, amendments and general enquiries am pm Monday to Friday For queries, including payment queries and to tell us about any changes to your policy Legal Advice provided by DAS Lines open 24hrs each day Please see page 38 for more help available 24-hour Home Emergency Assistance provided by DAS Refer to page 33 for full details of cover To help us continually improve customer services, calls may be monitored and recorded For postal enquiries and correspondence please write to: Teachers Assurance, Tringham House, Deansleigh Road, Bournemouth BH7 7DT This Policy Booklet replaces any previous versions September

3 Contents Introduction Contact information 2 Claims assistance 4 and how to work out if you are covered Personal Possessions insurance Personal Possessions cover 24 Applicable only if your schedule includes this Settlement of Claims 27 Definitions 5 of words and terms used in this policy booklet Your Policy Building Insurance Building insurance cover 8 What is and what is not covered in this policy? Accidental Damage cover 11 Exclusions and General Conditions 28 Endorsements 31 Home Emergency hour emergency assistance Settlement of Claims 13 Family Legal Expenses Contents Insurance Family Legal Expenses 38 Applicable only if your schedule includes this Contents insurance cover 14 What is and what is not covered in this policy? Accidental Damage cover 19 Additional Contents cover 22 for Business Equipment in the Home or Student Personal Effects Applicable only if your schedule includes this Settlement of Claims 23 3

4 Claims assistance Important information to assist you when making a claim We are here to help you deal with your claim as quickly and sympathetically as possible. To help us to do this, please read this information First, check the schedule, which shows the cover you have chosen and any endorsements that apply to your policy. Look through this policy booklet finding the relevant sections to your claim. The policy booklet will help you to find what you are covered for. It will also show you the general exclusions and to what extent we will settle claims. Please notify us of the incident as soon as possible and within a maximum of 30 days so that we can establish how we can help and what will be required. Please provide us with as much information as possible of the incident including - your name, address and policy number, the date and circumstances of the incident and details of what you wish to claim for. Please keep any purchase receipts, invoices, instruction booklets etc for any items subject to the claim as these may be required by us. A claim form may need to be completed and submitted with any documentation requested by us as quickly as possible. We may appoint one of our recommended suppliers. Alternatively, an independent specialist or loss adjuster may be appointed by us. We will be able to advise you if this is required at the time of your claim notification to us or if this becomes necessary as the claim progresses. Am I covered? What caused the claim? For example, your water tank bursts and the water leaking from it damages your ceiling and also ruins some furniture. The cause of the claim is escape of water, so this is what you need to look for in the policy booklet Am I claiming for buildings or contents insurance, or both? As the building itself is damaged (the ceiling) and the contents of the home (the furniture), you will be making a claim under both the buildings and contents sections. Am I covered? Read your schedule and the relevant sections of the policy booklet to check what is and what is not covered Please ensure that the police are immediately advised of any incident involving theft or loss and advise us of their reference number and address of the station concerned. If any temporary repairs are required to your property to prevent further damage, please arrange for these to be carried out as quickly as possible and advise us of details of the work required to your property and the costs involved if known. For the remaining repairs to your property we will require two independent quotations to be provided wherever possible. Our Home Emergency cover described on page 33 may be able to help you. If you are aware of any separate insurance being in force by you, which may also cover the same loss, damage or incident, please can you advise us of their details including the insurance company, address and policy number. 4

5 Definitions of words and terms used in this Policy Booklet Accidental Damage Damage caused by external means, other than a deliberate act by any of the Insured Buildings The home, fixtures and fittings on or in the home and any garages or other outbuildings within the boundaries of the home, burglar alarms, stair lifts, walls, gates, solar panels, fences, hedges, terraces, patios, drives, paths, swimming pools, saunas, jacuzzis and spas all contained within the boundaries of the home which are used for domestic purposes only and not for any business purpose and either owned by or the legal responsibility of the policyholder but not: External television, radio or satellite receiving equipment as these are considered as contents Business Equipment Computer equipment, facsimile machines, photocopiers and other office equipment all owned by, or the legal responsibility of the Insured and used in the running of your business Business Trade or Profession Business or trade by any of the Insured The Company/We/Us Teachers Assurance Company Limited of Tringham House, Deansleigh Road, Bournemouth BH7 7DT Contents Whilst within the United Kingdom, money up to a maximum value of 500. Radio aerials, television aerials and satellite receivers on or in the home. Personal effects and household goods which belong to or are the legal responsibility of the Insured or of any domestic employee who is normally resident with the Insured, visitors personal effects in your home, up to 1,000 per visitor but not: Animals, both pets and livestock Motor vehicles and accessories (including keys and locks of any sort) including childs mechanically propelled motor vehicles, mechanically propelled go karts, mechanically propelled or assisted vehicles, caravans, trailers, traps, carts, items being towed, aircraft, hovercraft, boats, any watercraft or parts or accessories for any of the above Business stock and materials Horse riding saddles (to include stirrups and irons) and bridle (to include bits, reins and head collars) Any item more specifically insured elsewhere The structure or any part thereof including decoration or permanent fixtures and fittings within your home Landlords fixtures and fittings Collection Items that form part of a set where the loss of one item will cause depreciation in value to the remaining items and to the collective value as a whole Dangerous Dogs Any dog of the types described in the Dangerous Dogs Act

6 Definitions (continued) of words and terms used in this Policy Booklet Domestic Employee/Staff Any person employed by you and who works for you at your home Emergency Repairs Such temporary or permanent repairs deemed necessary to protect the buildings and contents that should be necessary following a sudden or unforeseen event Endorsements A change or limitation to the terms of the policy agreed to by the Insured and the Company. These (if any) will be set out in the schedule Excess The first part of any claim, which you have to pay Family Provided they normally live with you, your husband or wife, your partner, your children, your or your husband s/ wife s or partner s parents and any other relatives. If you have children that do not live with you during term time then they will need additional cover. Please contact us for further details Heave Upward movement of the ground beneath the buildings as a result of the soil expanding Insured/You/Policyholder The person or persons actually named in the schedule and any member of their family permanently resident at the address shown on the schedule The/Your Home The private dwelling, garage and outbuildings, the address of which is shown in the schedule which are used for domestic purposes only and not for any business purpose Landslip Downward movement of sloping ground Money Money up to a maximum of 500 held for private, social or domestic purposes comprising current legal tender, cheques, postal and money orders, travellers cheques, current postage stamps, National Savings stamps, certificates, premium bonds, luncheon vouchers, gift vouchers, book tokens, savings stamps, credit notes and loyalty cards which have a monetary value which belong to the Insured New For Old Replacement will be on a like for like basis or based on the equivalent available in the current market Period of Insurance The period shown on the schedule and any further period for which the appropriate premium has been paid by you and accepted by the Company Personal Effects Clothing items designed to be worn by you and personal articles designed to be worn or carried on or about the person Personal Possessions Personal effects, sports equipment, pedal cycles, belonging to the insured and within their custody and control Money up to a maximum of 500 but not: Motor vehicles, boats or personal watercraft and their parts and accessories (including keys and locks of any sort) Items with an individual value in excess of 1,000 unless they have been specified separately under the personal possessions section of the policy and the appropriate premium paid Settlement, Compaction or Consolidation Downward movement as a result of the soil being compressed by the weight of the buildings within ten years of construction 6

7 Definitions (continued) of words and terms used in this Policy Booklet Student A person who is studying at a university or other place of higher education Subsidence Downward movement of the ground beneath the buildings other than by settlement Unfurnished Without sufficient items of furniture or furnishings for normal habitation or living purposes United Kingdom England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands Valuables Provided they are normally kept in the home, a) Gold, silver and precious metal articles b) Watches and jewellery c) Cups and trophies d) Furs e) Televisions, cameras, video cameras/recorders, audio, computers, games consoles and their equipment and accessories f ) Binoculars and telescopes g) Paintings, works of art and antiques h) Collections over 5,000 Any individual item exceeding 2,000 should be individually specified under the Contents section. Failure to do this may reduce a claim settlement Unoccupied Not attended overnight by you or a member of your family. Please note that endorsements will also be added to your policy 7

8 Buildings Insurance This cover applies only if your schedule shows that Buildings Insurance is included By buildings we mean The home, fixtures and fittings on or in the home and any garages or other outbuildings within the boundaries of the home, burglar alarms, stair lifts, walls, gates, solar panels, fences, hedges, terraces, patios, drives, paths, swimming pools, saunas, jacuzzis and spas all contained within the boundaries of the home which are used for domestic purposes only and not for any business purpose and either owned by or the legal responsibility of the policyholder General exclusions Damage due to general wear and tear, any gradually operating cause, dry rot, wet rot, damp, faulty workmanship, defective design or use of defective materials and the cost of normal maintenance and redecoration is excluded. It is your responsibility to keep your home in a good state of repair. If your property is being altered or erected, cover is restricted to: fire, flood, storm, earthquake, explosion, lightning or impact. Please read the exclusions and general conditions section for further details. We will pay for: We will not pay for: 1 Fire, lightning, explosion or earthquake 2 Smoke 3 Storm or flood Loss of or damage to fences, hedges or gates caused by storm, snow or flood Loss or damage caused by frost Damage to trees and any resultant damage caused by the trees or branches to fences and gates Costs you have to pay for removing the part of the tree that is still in the ground or the costs of restoring the site 4 Escape of water, oil or liquid petroleum gas from any fixed water or heating installation or from any domestic appliance within the home 5 Trace and access We will pay for the cost of removing and replacing any part of the buildings to find the source of a water or oil leak from any fixed tank, appliance or pipe forming part of your home. The most we will pay is 5,000 Loss or damage occurring after the home has been unoccupied for more than 70 consecutive days or the home is left insufficiently furnished for full habitation Damage to the tank, appliance or pipe itself Loss or damage occurring after the home has been unoccupied for more than 70 consecutive days or the home is left insufficiently furnished 8

9 Buildings Insurance (continued) This cover applies only if your schedule shows that Buildings Insurance is included We will not pay for: 6 A malicious person or persons or vandalism Loss or damage occurring after the home has been unoccupied for more than 70 consecutive days or the home is left insufficiently furnished for full habitation Loss or damage caused by you or any person lawfully in your home 7 Riot, civil commotion, strike, labour or political disturbances Loss or damage occurring after the home has been unoccupied for more than 70 consecutive days or the home is left insufficiently furnished for full habitation Loss or damage caused by you or any person lawfully in your home 8 Theft or attempted theft Loss or damage occurring after the home has been unoccupied for more than 70 consecutive days Loss or damage occurring while the home is let, lent or shared wholly or in part with any person or persons who are not a member of the Insured s family unless there is evidence of forcible and/or violent entry to or exit from the property Any loss which has not been reported to the police within 24 hours of discovery of the incident 9 Subsidence, heave or landslip of the site on which the home stands The first 1,000 of each and every claim in addition to any other excess shown in the schedule Loss or damage caused by: i) Coastal or river erosion ii) Construction, structural alteration, repair or demolition of the buildings iii) Faulty workmanship, faulty design or the use of defective materials on or to the buildings iv) Settlement, compaction or consolidation Loss or damage to the perimeter walls, gates, fences, terraces, patios, drives, paths and swimming pools unless the home is damaged by the same cause and at the same time Loss or damage to or resulting from movement of solid floor slabs unless the foundations beneath the external walls of your home are damaged by the same cause and at the same time Reduction in market value following repair Damage if you knew when this policy started that any part of the buildings had already been damaged by subsidence, heave or landslip, unless you told us and we accepted it 9

10 Buildings Insurance (continued) This cover applies only if your schedule shows that Buildings Insurance is included We will pay for: We will not pay for: 10 Impact by Any aircraft, rail or road vehicles or anything dropped from an aircraft An animal Damage caused by any animal or animals belonging to you or a member of your family Loss or damage to gates, hedges or fences caused by felling or lopping Falling trees or branches Falling television, satellite and radio receiving aerials, or dishes, fittings and masts 11 Mains services We will pay for accidental damage to underground cables and pipes extending from your home to the public supply for which you are legally responsible. If you have a shared legal responsibility then we will pay for that part of the repairs for which you are legally responsible. We will also pay up to 1,000 for the cost of breaking into and repairing an underground pipe to clear a blockage between the main sewer and your home if rodding or other conventional methods of unblocking have been unsuccessful 12 Plumbing installation We will pay for damage to any part of the plumbing installation in your home caused by freezing or bursting due to a sudden and unexpected increase in pressure 13 Glass, mirrors, ceramic hobs and sanitary fittings We will pay for accidental damage to glass, mirrors, ceramic hobs and sanitary ware fixed to and forming part of the home Further help may be provided under Home Emergency. See page 33 Damage occurring to an installation which is directly exposed to the outside or is in an outbuilding Loss or damage due to rust, corrosion or wear and tear or has occurred over a period of time After the home has been unoccupied for more than 70 consecutive days Damage occurring after the home has been unoccupied for more than 70 consecutive days or the home is left insufficiently furnished for full habitation The cost of replacement of taps unless they have been damaged by the same cause and at the same time The cost of replacing undamaged, but matching parts of any items forming part of any suite or set 10

11 Buildings Insurance (continued) This cover applies only if your schedule shows that Buildings Insurance is included We will pay for: We will not pay for: 14 Rent and alternative accommodation We will pay loss of rent otherwise receivable or payable including up to two years ground rent and reasonable additional expenses (e.g. cattery or kennel costs) of alternative accommodation if your home is rendered uninhabitable following damage recoverable under the buildings insurance section of this policy during the period necessary to restore your home to a habitable condition The maximum amount payable under this section is 25,000 or 10% of the buildings sum insured as detailed in the schedule, whichever is higher 15 Benefit for a purchaser of your home If you contract to sell your home the purchaser will have the benefit of this buildings insurance up to the date of completion provided the buildings are not insured elsewhere 16 Accidental Damage We will pay for accidental damage to your buildings Damage while the home or any part of it is let, lent or shared with anyone who is not a member of your family Loss or damage resulting from a wilful or deliberate act by you or any person lawfully in your home Damage caused by faulty workmanship, defective design or the use of defective materials on or to the buildings Damage caused by wear and tear, shrinkage, cleaning, wet or dry rot, frost, atmospheric or climatic conditions, vermin, insects, pets, fungus or any gradually operating cause Damage occurring after the home has been left unoccupied for more than 70 consecutive days or the home is left insufficiently furnished for full habitation Damage specifically excluded elsewhere in the policy Damage caused by demolition, structural alteration or structural repair of your buildings The cost of maintenance and normal redecoration 11

12 Buildings Insurance (continued) This cover applies only if your schedule shows that Buildings Insurance is included We will pay for: We will not pay for: 17 Liability at Law (Building section) We will pay any amounts which you, as the owner, but not the occupier, of the home, become legally liable to pay as compensation for an accident occurring during the period of insurance shown in the schedule which causes bodily injury to a person or damage to property. The most we will pay for any one claim or claims arising from one event is 2,000,000 plus costs incurred provided the costs being incurred were agreed by us in writing Damage to property owned or in the custody or control of you or a member of your family or a domestic employee Damage to property held in trust for either you, a member of your family or a domestic employee Bodily injury to a member of your family or to a person employed by you or by a member of your family Liability assumed by an agreement unless that liability would have existed without the agreement Injury loss or damage arising out of any trade, profession, business or employment Injury or damage arising out of any use of lifts or motor vehicles 18 We will pay any amounts arising solely from your legal liability to pay compensation for death or accidental bodily injury to anyone or accidental damage to property occurring during the period of insurance shown in the schedule caused by faults in any private residence previously owned and occupied by you The most we will pay for any one claim or claims arising from one event is 2,000,000 plus costs incurred provided the costs being incurred were agreed by us in writing Liability arising more than 7 years after this insurance has expired or been cancelled The cost of remedying any fault or alleged fault Liability if you are insured under another policy IF YOU ARE AN OWNER IN OCCUPATION PLEASE NOTE: Liability for injury and/or damage resulting from land or buildings nearly always attaches to the occupier, rather than the owner. In such cases, you should ensure that you have contents insurance in force, which will provide you with the occupiers liability insurance required 19 Emergency entries We will pay for damage to your home or garden caused when the fire brigade, the police or the ambulance service have to make a forced entry because of an emergency to you or your family The most that we will pay for a claim will be 2, Replacement of locks We will pay for the cost of replacing locks to external doors and windows, safes and alarms of the home - the address of which is shown on the current schedule following loss or theft of keys The cost of repairing or rectifying mechanical breakdown Help may be provided under Home Emergency. See page 33 The most we will pay is

13 Settlement of Claims Made under the Buildings Insurance If the loss or damage is covered by this insurance we may: Arrange for repair or replacement using one of our suppliers; or Pay the cost of repair or replacement; or Make a cash payment. You cannot claim for new items if repair is economically possible or if you replace the item with a second hand one. Repairs completed by our approved suppliers as a result of a claim covered by this insurance are guaranteed for a minimum of 12 months. The maximum amount we will pay for any one claim will be the buildings sum insured shown in the schedule in force at the time of any loss or damage occurring, less any excess shown in the schedule or elsewhere in the buildings section of this Policy Booklet. An amount for wear and tear will be deducted if the buildings are in a poor state of repair or if the sum insured is less than the full cost of rebuilding the buildings at the time of any loss or damage occurring. Matching Suites or Sets each individual item of a matching set or suite of sanitary fittings or other fixtures or fittings in your home is regarded as a single item. We will settle your claim only in respect of the individual damaged items and we will then pay 50% towards any undamaged items that form part of the set. In certain exceptional circumstances, we may pay the difference between the sale value of your home in the open market immediately prior to the loss or damage and the value of your home following such damage. Following damage covered under the buildings section of this policy we will pay for: Architects, surveyors and consulting engineers fees where we have given you permission to incur these costs. These fees must not be more than those recommended by the relevant professional institutes. Following damage covered under the buildings section of this policy we will not pay for- Any fees for preparing a claim under this insurance or any costs in respect of undamaged parts of the buildings Claims where compensation has been paid by contract or legislation in respect of the same loss The cost of removal or reduction of trees Any management/administration fees that have not been pre-approved by Teachers Assurance SUM INSURED UNDER THE BUILDINGS INSURANCE SECTION OF THIS POLICY Our liability in respect of loss or damage to the buildings by any of the events mentioned shall not exceed in total the sum insured, which is shown in the schedule in force at the time of any loss or damage occurring. You must tell us if you believe the sum insured shown in your schedule is not enough to cover the full cost of rebuilding your home. This must include provision for the expenses and fees detailed under the heading Settlement of Claims made INFLATION PROTECTION We may adjust the sum insured shown in the schedule for buildings to allow for changes in the cost of living in line with the changes in the House Rebuilding Cost Index issued by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, or, if for whatever reason the House Rebuilding Cost Index issued by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors should not be available, by a suitable alternative Index. We may do this every month and update your sum insured when your policy is due for renewal This adjustment will continue to be made automatically following any report of damage provided the repairs or reinstatement are completed without any unreasonable delay on your part. The cost of clearing the site and making your home safe and the cost of complying with any Government or Local Authority requirement unless you were given notice of the requirement before the damage occurred. 13

14 Contents Insurance This cover applies only if your schedule shows that Contents Insurance is included By contents we mean Money up to a maximum value of 500, radio aerials, television aerials and satellite receivers on or in the home. Personal effects and household goods which belong to or are the legal responsibility of the Insured or of any domestic employee who is normally resident with the Insured General exclusions Damage due to general wear and tear, any gradually operating cause, dry rot, wet rot, damp, faulty workmanship, defective design or use of defective materials and the cost of normal maintenance and redecoration is excluded. It is your responsibility to keep your home in a good state of repair. If your property is being altered or erected, theft is restricted to forcible and violent entry or exit. Please read the exclusions and general conditions section for further details. We will pay for: We will not pay for: 1 Fire, lightning, explosion or earthquake 2 Smoke 3 Storm or flood Loss or damage caused by frost 4 Escape of water, oil or liquid petroleum gas from any fixed water or heating installation or from any domestic appliance. For escape of oil claims we will also pay for the cost of the oil lost Loss or damage occurring after the home has been unoccupied for more than 70 consecutive days or the home is left insufficiently furnished for full habitation 5 A malicious person or persons or vandalism Loss or damage occurring after the home has been unoccupied for more than 70 consecutive days or the home is left insufficiently furnished for full habitation Loss or damage caused by you or any person lawfully in your home 6 Riot, civil commotion, strike, labour or political disturbances Loss or damage occurring after the home has been unoccupied for more than 70 consecutive days or the home is left insufficiently furnished for full habitation Loss or damage caused by you or any person lawfully in your home 14

15 Contents Insurance (continued) This cover applies only if your schedule shows that Contents Insurance is included We will pay for: We will not pay for: 7 Theft or attempted theft Loss or damage occurring after the home has been unoccupied for more than 70 consecutive days or the home is left insufficiently furnished for full habitation Loss or damage caused by you or any person lawfully in your home Loss of money unless there is evidence of forcible and violent entry to or exit from the property AND that the loss has been notified to the police within 24 hours of the incident being discovered Loss or damage occurring while the home is let or lent, wholly or in part unless there is evidence of forcible and violent entry to or exit from the property Loss or damage occurring while the home is shared wholly or in part with any person or persons who are not a member of the Insured s family unless there is evidence of forcible and violent entry to or exit from the property Loss or damage to a pedal cycle which has not been left in a locked building Loss or damage to a pedal cycle which has not been secured to an immovable object with a suitable locking device if left in a communal area Theft by deception unless entry is gained by deception Theft of personal money, unless someone has broken into or out of the home by using force and violence or has got into the home by deception Any loss which has not been reported to the police within 24 hours of discovery of the incident 8 Subsidence, heave or landslip of the site on which the home stands Coastal or river erosion Construction, structural alteration, repair or demolition of the buildings Faulty workmanship, design, or the use of defective materials on or to the buildings Damage if you knew when this policy started that any part of the buildings had already been damaged by subsidence, heave or landslip, unless you told us and we accepted it 15

16 Contents Insurance (continued) This cover applies only if your schedule shows that Contents Insurance is included We will pay for: We will not pay for: 9 Impact by Any aircraft, rail or road vehicles or anything dropped from an aircraft An animal Falling trees or branches If we accept a claim for damage to buildings by falling trees, we will also pay reasonable costs you have to pay for removing from the site: a) the fallen part of the tree b) the tree if it has been totally or partly uprooted Damage caused by any animal or animals belonging to you or a member of your family Damage caused by felling or lopping Costs you have to pay for removing the part of the tree that is still in the ground or the costs of restoring the site Falling television, satellite and radio receiving aerials or dishes, fittings and masts 10 Television, audio, video, computer equipment and games consoles We will pay for accidental damage to television, audio, video, computer equipment, cable decoding equipment and their aerials and satellite aerials and games consoles Damage occurring after the home has been unoccupied for more than 70 consecutive days or the home is left insufficiently furnished for full habitation Damage caused by wear and tear, depreciation, a gradually operating cause, cleaning, repair or restoration, mechanical or electrical breakdown Loss or damage resulting from a wilful or deliberate act by you or any person lawfully in your home Chewing, scratching, fouling, urinating, vomiting or tearing by animals owned by you or by a member of your family 11 Mirrors or glass which form part of a piece of furniture and portable ceramic hobs We will pay for accidental breakage of mirrors or glass which form part of a piece of furniture or portable ceramic hobs 12 Food in freezers We will pay for loss of or damage to the contents of a deep freeze cabinet The most we will pay is 500 Damage occurring after the home has been unoccupied for more than 70 consecutive days or the home is left insufficiently furnished for full habitation Loss or damage resulting from a wilful or deliberate act by you or any person lawfully in your home Loss or damage resulting from the deliberate act of any power supply authority or the withholding or restricting of power by such an authority Loss or damage occurring after the home has been unoccupied for more than 70 consecutive days or the home is left insufficiently furnished for full habitation 16

17 Contents Insurance (continued) This cover applies only if your schedule shows that Contents Insurance is included We will pay for: We will not pay for: 13 Contents in transit We will pay for accidental damage to contents when in transit by land from the home or permanent removal to another home in the United Kingdom by professional removal contractors 14 Contents in the garden We will pay for loss or damage by any cause listed in paragraphs 1-9 of the contents section of your policy while in the open and within the boundaries of your home and its land Damage to china, glass, earthenware and other items of a brittle nature unless they have been packed by professional packers Property in or in transit to or from any depository Valuables and/or money Loss or damage occurring after the home has been unoccupied for more than 70 consecutive days or the home is left insufficiently furnished for full habitation Loss or damage to pedal cycles The most we will pay is 1, Plants in the garden We will pay for loss or damage to hedges, trees, shrubs, plants and lawns by any cause listed in paragraphs 1-9 of the contents section of your policy whilst within the boundaries of your home and its land The most we will pay is 500 Loss or damage occurring after the home has been unoccupied for more than 70 consecutive days or the home is left insufficiently furnished for full habitation More than 250 for any tree, shrub or plant Loss or damage caused by impact from falling branches If we pay for hedges, trees, shrubs, plants and/or lawns under the buildings section as a result of the same incident 16 Rent and alternative accommodation We will pay rent payable by you and reasonable additional costs (e.g. cattery or kennel costs) of comparable accommodation during the period necessary to restore the home to a habitable condition if the home is rendered uninhabitable following damage recoverable under this contents section of your policy The maximum payable under this section is 10,000 or 15% of the sum insured as detailed in the schedule, whichever is higher 17 Fatal injury We will pay for fatal injury to any of the Insured caused by fire provided that death is within three months following the injury caused by fire The most we will pay is 1,000 per claim 17

18 Contents Insurance (continued) This cover applies only if your schedule shows that Contents Insurance is included We will pay for: We will not pay for: 18 Contents temporarily removed We will pay for loss or damage to the contents of your home caused by any event listed in paragraphs 1-9 of this contents section of your Policy Booklet occurring while the items of your contents are temporarily removed to the following places (temporarily meaning for a period not exceeding 14 days): i) In any occupied private residence within the United Kingdom where you or a member of your family is temporarily living ii) In any building within the United Kingdom where you or a member of your family is employed or carries on business iii) In a bank or safe deposit located within the United Kingdom Items removed for longer than 14 days unless approved and agreed by the Company in writing Loss or damage in any furniture depository Loss or damage by theft unless there is evidence of forcible and violent entry or exit Loss of money Loss or damage from any building where you or a member of your family is residing as a student Loss or damage while removed for sale or exhibition Contents that are insured elsewhere The most we will pay is 15% of the sum insured 19 Teachers extension We will pay for loss or damage to the contents of your home caused by any event listed in paragraphs 1-9 of the contents section of your policy, occurring whilst they are temporarily kept or stored during term time at your school, college or university where you are employed, including money up to 500 Contents that are insured elsewhere The most we will pay is 2, Replacement of locks We will pay for the cost of replacing locks to external doors and windows, safes and alarms of the home - the address of which is shown on the current schedule following loss or theft of keys The cost of repairing or rectifying mechanical breakdown Help may be provided under Home Emergency. See page 33 The most we will pay is Special events We will increase the contents amount of cover by up to 5,000 for one month before and after a religious festival or special family event, for purchases made for these events, if within the period of insurance 18

19 Contents Insurance (continued) This cover applies only if your schedule shows that Contents Insurance is included We will pay for: We will not pay for: 22 Metered water We will pay for the loss of metered water from your side of the meter following accidental damage to the meter and/or pipe work The most we will pay is 1, Title deeds We will pay any reasonably incurred costs and expenses incurred by you in preparing new title deeds to your home following loss or damage by any cause insured by paragraphs 1-9 of this contents section of your policy while the deeds are in your home or in your bank for safe keeping The most we will pay is Downloaded Information We will pay for loss or damage to information that you have bought and stored on your home entertainment equipment or mobile phone as a result of a cause listed in paragraphs 1 to 7 of this section The most we will pay is 2, Accidental Damage We will pay for accidental damage to your contents while in the home The cost of remaking a file, tape or disc Rewriting the information contained on your home entertainment equipment Any loss or damage shown as not insured elsewhere in this Policy Booklet Damage while the home or any part of it is let, lent or shared with anyone who is not a member of your family Damage caused by any paying guest or tenant of your home Loss or damage resulting from a wilful or deliberate act by you or any person lawfully in your home Damage to contact lenses Damage caused by wear and tear, depreciation, insects, moth, vermin, atmospheric or climatic conditions, any gradually operating cause, cleaning, dyeing, repair or restoration, mechanical or electrical breakdown Damage occurring after the home has been unoccupied for more than 70 consecutive days or the home is left insufficiently furnished for full habitation Damage specifically excluded elsewhere in this contents section of your policy Chewing, scratching, fouling, urinating, vomiting or tearing caused by animals owned by you or by a member of your family 19

20 Contents Insurance (continued) This cover applies only if your schedule shows that Contents Insurance is included We will pay for: We will not pay for: UNDER THE CONTENTS SECTION OF THIS POLICY YOU ARE ALSO INSURED AGAINST LIABILITY AT LAW We will pay any sums for which you or any member of your family become legally liable as stated at paragraphs 26 and 27 as follows 26 Sums claimed or payable in respect of accidental bodily injury (including death, disease or illness) or accidental damage to property where the claim or liability arises against you: i) As occupier of the home ii) iii) In a personal capacity (not as occupier or owner of any buildings or land) As an employer of domestic staff The most we will pay for any one claim or claims arising from a single event is 2,000,000 plus costs agreed by the Company in writing Damage to property owned or in the custody or control of you, a member of your family or a domestic employee Damage to property held in trust for either you, a member of your family or a domestic employee Liability assumed by agreement unless that liability would have existed without the agreement Injury (except to a domestic employee) or damage arising out of any trade, profession, business or employment Injury or damage arising out of the use of any mechanically propelled vehicle, lifts, caravans, trailers, aircraft, hovercraft, any watercraft, traps, carts and items being towed (other than garden machinery and electric wheelchairs) With the exception of domestic staff any liability that you or any member of your family may have in respect of any acts or omissions of anyone employed by you or a member of your family Injury or damage caused by dangerous dogs as defined under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1997 Claims arising as the result of the transmission of a communicable disease You or any member of your family owning, keeping or using any living creatures other than domestic animals Claims arising from you or any member of your family owning any land or building, or you or any member of your family occupying any land or building other than your home Any compensation, costs or expenses if you are insured under any other liability policy, including your pet insurance policy, unless that cover has been exhausted 20

21 Contents Insurance (continued) This cover applies only if your schedule shows that Contents Insurance is included We will pay for: We will not pay for: 27 As tenant (not as owner) for damage to the home The most we will pay is 10, Claims against third parties We will pay the amount of any outstanding award of damages (and as appropriate costs) which are and remain irrecoverable after a defended hearing made in a Court in the United Kingdom if such award has not been paid to you within six months of the date of the award. We will only make payment if paragraph 26 of this section would have insured you had the award been made against you or any member of your family Damage occurring after the home has been unoccupied for more than 70 consecutive days or the home is left insufficiently furnished for full habitation Any claims where the incident leading to the Court proceedings took place outside the period of insurance Any claims where the incident leading to the Court proceedings took place other than in the United Kingdom Any claims where there is an appeal pending The most we will pay for any one claim or claims arising from one event is 2,000,000 21

22 Additional Contents Cover The following additional cover is available to the contents section of this policy and will only apply if paragraphs 29 & 30 are shown in your current schedule We will pay for: We will not pay for: 29 Business home cover Items such as personal computers, printers, facsimile machines, monitors and answering machines used in connection with your occupation or business will be covered for loss or damage by any cause listed in paragraphs 1-9 of this contents section of your policy (subject to any of the exceptions also set out in paragraphs 1-9) whilst they are within the home. 30 Students personal effects cover You will need this cover if you have children who do not live with you during term time and require cover for their items which they have taken with them to college/university Loss, damage or theft of personal effects belonging to the insured student as named in the current schedule Loss of personal money up to a limit of 100 Loss or damage to personal effects and personal money for up to 70 days occurring outside the United Kingdom in any one period of insurance Loss or damage to items valued in excess of the single article limit (in this case 1,000) providing they are specified in the current schedule Tools used in a professional capacity Any vehicles, aircraft or watercraft to include hovercraft Any manufacturing or production type equipment Any item which is valued at more than 1,000 (the single article limit) unless individually specified in the schedule Theft from a term time address unless there is evidence of forcible and violent entry or exit Loss or damage by wear and tear, depreciation, insects, moths, vermin, atmospheric or climatic conditions, a gradually operating cause, cleaning, dyeing, repair or restoration, mechanical or electrical breakdown Motorised pedal cycles, pedal cycles used for racing, pace making or testing, cycles not locked to an immovable object, and cuts and bursts to tyres Loss or damage to contact lenses, dentures whilst masticating, camping equipment, guns, tools, money over 100 Loss or damage while participating in a sport Sports equipment used for water sports and winter sports to include skiing, whether such equipment is or is not in use Loss of money due to confiscation, depreciation, error or omission Loss or damage caused by theft from an unattended motor vehicle unless: i) There is evidence that forcible and violent entry took place, and ii) The personal possession was secured in a locked luggage boot, concealed by a parcel shelf or stored within a concealed compartment Chewing, scratching, fouling, urinating, vomiting or tearing caused by animals owned by you or by a member of your family 22

23 Settlement of Claims Made under the Contents Insurance If the loss or damage is covered by this insurance we may: Arrange for repair or replacement using one of our suppliers; or Pay the cost of repair or replacement; or Make a cash payment. You cannot claim for new items if repair is economically possible or if you replace the item with a second hand one. Repairs completed by our approved suppliers as a result of a claim covered by this insurance are guaranteed for 12 months. The absolute maximum amount we will pay for any one claim will be the contents sum insured shown in the schedule less any excess shown in the schedule of insurance. The most we will pay for specific incidents may be limited by the policy wording of the section the claim is made under. If an item is considered a valuable, the most we will pay for any one item owned by the Insured or any member of their family will be 2,000 unless it is individually specified under the contents section of the schedule. It is not necessary to specify items of furniture or carpets unless they are antiques. The most we will pay for any collection will be 5,000 in total unless it is individually specified under the contents section. Sum insured under the contents insurance section of this policy The sum insured under this section must represent not less than the cost of replacing all the insured items as new. Our liability in respect of loss or damage to the contents by any of the events mentioned above shall not exceed the sum insured shown in the schedule less any policy excess applicable If you have insured an item for a specific amount (for example, a ring insured for 5,000), that is the most that will be paid for that item. This is why it is important that you review the valuations on specified items regularly. We recommend you do this at least every two years INFLATION PROTECTION We may adjust the sum insured shown in the schedule for contents in line with changes in the Consumer Durables Section of the Retail Price Index prepared by the Office for National Statistics or if for whatever reason this index is not available a suitable alternative index. We may do this every month and update your sum insured when your policy is due for renewal. This adjustment will continue to be made automatically following any report of damage provided the repairs or reinstatement are completed without any unreasonable delay on your part. If the sum insured under this section of the policy is less than the cost of replacing all the insured items as new we will pay the cost of repair or replacement as new less a deduction for underinsurance. If an item being claimed for is in a very poor condition, a deduction for wear and tear will be made. Matching Suites or Sets each individual item of a matching set or suite of furniture or soft furnishings is regarded as a single item. We will settle your claim only in respect of the individual item, which has been damaged, and we will then pay 50% towards any undamaged items that form part of the set. 23

24 Personal Possessions This cover applies only if your schedule shows that Personal Possessions cover is included We will pay for: We will not pay for: 1 Theft, accidental loss or damage to personal possessions or such other items specified in the schedule while such personal possessions are within the United Kingdom and within the custody and control of the Insured (but see also Section 3 Travel overseas ) Any personal possession which is valued at more than 1,000 (the single article limit) unless individually specified in the schedule Motorised pedal cycles, pedal cycles used for racing, pace making or testing, cycles not locked to an immovable object, and cuts and bursts to tyres Loss or damage to or theft of sports equipment while in use Loss or damage while participating in a sport Sports equipment used for water sports and winter sports to include skiing, whether such equipment is or is not in use Loss or damage to or theft of a horse riding saddle (to include stirrups and irons) and bridle (to include bits, reins and head collars) Loss or damage to or theft of contact lenses, dentures whilst masticating, camping equipment, guns or tools Photographic equipment and musical equipment used for professional or business purposes Loss or damage recoverable under the contents section of this policy Loss or damage caused by i) Wear and tear, depreciation, insects, vermin, dyeing, cleaning, repairing or renovation ii) Electronic, electrical or mechanical breakdown or failure iii) A gradual deterioration or a gradually operating cause iv) Atmospheric or climatic conditions 24