Summer slip-ups see homeowners stung by warm weather

Confused.com, UK insurance price comparison service, is advising consumers not to get caught out by the much awaited summer weather, as it is a prime time for homeowners to inadvertently invalidate their insurance.

The warm weather causes people to make simple mistakes such as leaving tools and garden equipment on display, or more commonly, leaving windows and external doors open in unoccupied rooms. These are the most common ‘summer slip-ups’ which often lead to homeowners invalidating their insurance policies. The Home Office’s latest statistics indicate 31% of burglaries occurred via an unlocked door, whilst 9% of entries were through an unsecured window.

Supporting National Home Security Week (25th – 31st August), Debra Williams, Managing Director of Confused.com comments: “All too often the warm weather causes people to inadvertently invalidate their insurance due to simple slip-ups, such as leaving their homes open to opportunist burglars and thieves.

“Forgetting to put tools away, leaving doors and windows open, or leaving expensive equipment out in the garden, even for a couple of minutes, can leave you open to crime without the backup of insurance cover. Always remember to ‘lock-up’ after yourself so you don’t lose out”.

Furthermore, the summer is a popular time for homeowners to have building work carried out on their properties. Failure to inform insurers that builders are on site could result in reduced payouts, or worse, refusal to pay for claims caused by accidental damage.

Debra added: “Many people also fail to inform insurers when builders are working on their properties. Always notify your insurer as soon as you know that you will be undertaking building work at your home. This way your insurance cover will remain intact and any accidental damage that builders cause through their work will also be covered.

“If you are in doubt or concerned about invalidating your policy, contact your insurer for piece of mind. It is also worth investing some time into reading your policy booklet and this may contain useful do’s and don’ts”!

Confused.com has compiled ten of the most common causes of home insurance invalidations and reduced pay outs, along with tips to help prevent claim refusals – see table below:

Policy small print- when are you not covered?

1. Leaving windows open. If you leave windows open or fail to lock windows where locks are fitted, you may nullify your cover.

Tip: Always close and lock windows in unoccupied rooms. Even during hot weather. Consider using a fan rather than leaving yourself open to theft.

2. Failure to secure tools that are subsequently used to break into the house such as ladders, hammers, etc.

Tip: Summer is a busy time for odd jobs in and around the home while the weather is fine and the days long. Always make sure that tools are securely locked up at night. Don’t make it easy for a burglar to gain access to your property.

3. Valuables left in the garden – unless specifically covered by the policy. Often burglars keep an eye out for expensive barbeques and lawn mowers which have not been locked away. For this reason, undue care may prevent insurers paying out.

Tip: Check which valuables are covered for use in the garden under your existing policy. Extend your policy to include other valuables that you are likely to use in the garden during the hot weather, e.g. radios, expensive barbeques, laptops, even TV’s during the Summer Test Matches and sport. Always lock valuables within a secure shed or your house if you go out.

4. Failing to notify your insurer that builders are on-site. If you fail to inform your insurer that builders are on site and you suffer accidental damage, such as a load-bearing wall being knocked out, or damage caused to a main power line / water pipe, the insurer may either refuse to pay for the claim, or only pay a reduced amount.

Tip: Notify your insurer as soon as you know that you will be undertaking building work at your home. This may lead to a short-term increase in your premium to cover any accidental damage that the builders cause through their work.

5. Unforced entry. If a burglar is able to gain unforced access to your home and items are stolen, your insurer is less likely to pay out on your full claim.

Tip: Don’t leave spare keys hidden outside the house. If these are used, your policy may be void. Also, be aware that if you have a ‘dog flap’ big enough for someone to get through it may well constitute ‘unforced entry’. Check with your insurer whether this is an issue.

6. Leaving the house unoccupied for more than 30 consecutive days. A common mistake made by people taking a career break, or going on an extended Summer holiday, many people leave properties unoccupied for longer than 30 days. Any claim occurring after that period may be void.

Tip: To avoid this, arrange for a member of your family to stay overnight within this period to reset the 30 day count.

7. Incorrect descriptions of door locks e.g. 5 lever / BS numbers. If you describe your locks incorrectly and it is subsequently found that the lock does not match that described on your policy, your insurer may be inclined to reduce or refuse any claim pay out.

Tip: Ensure that you have the correct description or BS numbers for your locks when you fill in your home insurance application form. Take note of these details and inform your insurer as and when you upgrade your house locks. If you inform your insurer that you have locks that turn out to be different to the ones installed, your insurer is perfectly within their rights not to pay out on a claim resulting from forced entry.

8. Failure to use an installed and working alarm. If you have an alarm but fail to use it, your insurance company may not pay out on claims for burglary.

Tip: Whenever you are away from the house, even if you are popping out to the shops for an ice cream or for a chat with a neighbour, always activate your installed alarm.

9. Any loss that is not reported to the police. Insurers need a crime number as part of the claim process. Failure to obtain a number will cast doubt as to whether a theft has genuinely taken place, and a claim rejection.

Tip: Report any theft to the police as soon as possible and take note of the crime number

10. Using the property as a base for your business. If you use your house as a place of business, it is assumed that people connected to your business will visit, increasing the likelihood of theft and other associated claims.

Tip: Declare to your insurer from the outset that you are using your home as a base for your business. You may find that your premiums will increase, but you will have full cover.