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Loss or Damage caused by the Escape of Water
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Typical cover offered by other Insurers
Typically other Insurance policies have exclusions during periods of unoccupancy, the main ones to identify are:
Escape of water- excluding loss or damage whilst the home is unoccupied for a period in excess of 30 days (7 days from November to March) unless:
-the water has been turned off at the mains and all equipment drained to its full extent
-piping and tanks are lagged (not often the case overseas)
-central heating is left on between Nov to March at a minimum temperature of 59f and the home is inspected at least once every 14 days
If your policy has these exclusions would you be insured if your electric heating failed due to a power cut and a burst pipe occurred?
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Benefits of a Schofields policy
Our policy does not include inconvenient security requirements or unoccupancy restrictions as above. You are fully protected when your holiday home is left unoccupied.
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Escape of water claim...freezing does occur abroad
In the winter, the temperature in many parts of southern Spain fell below freezing. A new build property on an urbanisation near Alicante suffered a burst pipe due to freezing weather conditions. The pipe connected a tap on the roof balcony area. As the property was unoccupied, the water ran for 2 days before being disconnected by on site maintenance man. The entire building was saturated with water causing damage to the paint, woodwork, doors, frames, kitchen units, wardrobes, tiling, TV, sideboard and beds.
It is unlikely that other Insurers would cover the claim due to the exclusions in their policies. Our Underwriters settled the claim.
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Security Requirements
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Other Insurers requirements
Theft or attempted theft- typically other Insurers will not pay out on a claim unless certain security measures are in force when your holiday home is unoccupied.
-Doors must be fitted with a 5-lever mortice deadlock or equivalent.
-Windows must be fitted with key operated security devices, metal grilles or shutters.
-The burglar alarm must be operational whenever your property is unoccupied.
Unless these are strictly complied with Insurers can turn down a claim.
Also, check to see if theft by non-forcible entry is covered
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Benefits of a Schofields policy
Our policy does not have any security requirements and gives full theft cover, including theft by tenants.
Our wide theft cover reassures you that if a key holder (past guest, contractor) enters your house and empties your contents out you will be covered. Other insurers only cover theft by forcible entry, meaning the above scenario wouldn’t be covered.
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Problems when claiming
To have security warranties, as shown above, written into the policy wording means that unless they are strictly complied with Insurers can turn down a claim. This means you are responsible for the cost of the damage caused.
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Restrictions During Periods of Unoccupancy
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Other Insurers requirements
If the property is unoccupied for more than 30 consecutive days (seven days or more between October and March) the gas, electricity and water must be turned off at the mains and the water and heating system must be drained. Some policies also insist the holiday home is inspected weekly.
Failure to comply with these security requirements could mean your claim is ruled invalid
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Benefits of a Schofields Policy
Our policy does not have any unoccupancy restrictions, therefore giving you the peace of mind that your property is adequately protected when left unoccupied for an extended period.
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Accidental Damage to Contents
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Typical cover offered by other Insurers
Some Insurers only provide this cover as an optional extension when the property is used exclusively by the owner. There is no cover when the property is lent to friends or relatives and certainly not when let out.
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Benefits of a Schofields Policy
Our experience over the last 21 years is that accidental damage cover to contents is of a key importance for the peace of mind of owners, especially when the property is being used by others. Our accidental damage to contents extension protects you even when you holiday let your property, so you don’t have to worry about damage by guests.
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Common accidental damage to contents claims
A surprising number of people use carpets, rugs and beds as ironing boards and leave behind the imprint of a hot iron. Typically guests are not as careful as owners.
Common accidental damage claims include; breakage of spin dryers, washing machines, cookers, video recorders and CD players due to misuse.
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Public Liability Insurance
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Typical cover offered by other Insurers
Other insurers only give £2m public liability cover or they charge extra to increase this figure.
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Benefits of a Schofields Policy
We automatically provide £5m public liability and £1m employers liability cover. These are litigious times and liability insurance will cover you for legal costs and expenses following death, injury or damage to a third party on or near your property.
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Swimming Pool and Liability Insurance Cover
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Typical cover offered by other Insurers
Some insurers exclude liability for swimming pool usage leaving you potentially exposed to legal action following injury to third parties.
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Benefits of a Schofields policy
Swimming pools (and covers) are insured under the buildings section.
For both UK and overseas property the policy includes public liability insurance of £5m which covers liability claims arising from the usage of swimming pools. This is automatically included when you choose buildings or contents insurance and protects you in the event of an accident involving your swimming pool, for example slips and trips or cuts from broken tiles.
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Loss or Damage caused by Frost
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Typical cover offered by other Insurers
Some insurers exclude frost damage.
If frost caused a pipe to burst, the escape of water claim would not be covered because it was caused by frost, even if you complied with the Insurers security requirements.
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Benefits of a Schofields Policy
If temperatures dropped suddenly (as they often do abroad in winter), our policy would cover water damage caused by frost plus the replacement of expensive tanks, pipes and cylinders.
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European Policies
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Typical cover offered by other Insurers
Often, cover is basic and the policy wording is written in a foreign language. Unless you are fluent, understand the scope and restrictions of cover can be a problem.
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Benefits of a Schofields policy
The policy is written in plain English and provides wider cover than traditional foreign property insurance and ‘community block’ policies.
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Emergency Travel
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Typical cover offered by other Insurers
Some policies have conditions to this cover for example:
-a limit on the amount of cover insurers will give to travel.
-you are only covered if the property is “uninhabitable” a term which is open to interpretation and at the Insurers discretion.
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Benefits of a Schofields policy
Our Underwriters will include such costs in a claim settlement when as is often the case the attendance on site mitigates the overall cost of the claim.
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Premiums and Excess
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Typical cover offered by other Insurers
Other insurers have an excess of £100 or they give discounts for increasing your excess. In the event of a small claim it would not be worth claiming if your excess was £250.
There will be an additional cost (on top of your premium) of £200 in the event of any claim, which is likely to be more than the small saving made by having a higher excess.
For earthquake damage some insurers excess is a percentage of the buildings sum insured, this can be thousands.
Other insurers give a no claims bonus, however if you claim you will loose this and your premium could increase by up to 15% at renewal.
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Benefits of a Schofields policy
Our policy has a low excess of £50 increased to £300 for earthquake damage.
Our customers find that our premiums are very competitive so there is no need to have a higher excess to lower them.
If you claim it is unlikely that your premium will increase, especially not by 15%.
Premiums include insurance taxes, which are paid to the relevant government departments on your behalf.
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Temporary Accommodation and Loss of Rent
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Typical cover offered by other Insurers
Only covers costs of alternative accommodation incurred by the policyholder not guests.
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Benefits of a Schofields policy
If you are letting out your property and it becomes uninhabitable due to flooding etc. we will cover additional accommodation expenses incurred (by you and guests) and the loss of pre- booked rental income up to twice the contents sum insured.
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Claims Handling
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Other Insurers
Often dealt with by the insurer and not the broker who you deal with. In some cases the claims are out sourced resulting in an impersonal and drawn out process.
In the event of a claim you have to deal with foreign speaking builders and fill out claim forms in the local language.
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Benefits of a Schofields policy
Our claims are dealt with quickly in house by British based experts with over twenty years experience and a proven track record. For substantial claims we will arrange for a bilingual adjuster to attend your property. All policy documents are written in English so you know exactly what is covered.
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Theft from Outbuildings
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Typical cover offered by other Insurers
Typically if covered, there is a limit on theft from outbuildings.
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Benefits of a Schofields policy
It is surprising how quickly the value of a lawnmower, barbecue, garden tools and furniture can add up. We do not have a limit.
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Article Limit on Contents
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Typical cover offered by other Insurers
Some insurers have an article limit on contents. Any claim for an item above this would not be paid.
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Benefits of a Schofields policy
There is no article limit on contents.
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Accidental Damage to Domestic Supplies
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Typical cover offered by other Insurers
Some insurers have a limit for what they pay out for accidental damage to domestic supplies, for example underground water supplies. Typically these claims run into thousands so £500 is often not enough.
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Benefits of a Schofields policy
Our cover is unlimited.
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Getting a Quote and Applying
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Other Insurers
Usually paper based and lengthy or you have to insure your main residence as well before they will quote.
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Benefits of a Schofields policy
Get a quick quote in under a minute with the option to buy online. Straightforward quick process with no proposal form to sign. We do not stipulate that you have to cover your main residence with us.
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