Abi Brinkhurst here, Branch Advisor at Howden Bath; your friendly, local high street insurance broker.
We love being a part of the Bath community and in this new regular column will be bringing you advice and insights into the insurance market. We’ll also let you know about what’s on in branch, from our fundraising efforts to our community boot exchange!
I shared some tips for the world of motor insurance claims in the last issue, so let’s take a look at what you can do to make home insurance claims easier to manage.
- In the event of an ingress of water/leak, call a plumber ASAP to stop the leak and prevent any further damage.
- Take photos of any damage; photos are always helpful in the initial stages of any assessment.
- Report the incident to your insurer as soon as possible.
There are also some steps you can take to ensure your home and belongings are properly protected:
- Ensure your home is maintained. Keep your gutters clear, check your roof for damage, and keep your home in a fit state of repair. Your household insurance policy will not cover any general maintenance or wear and tear.
- Try and maintain up-to-date valuations for any jewellery or valuable items. Most insurers will accept a valuation from the last three to five years.
- Keep receipts as proof of purchase.
- Consider adding Home Legal Expenses and Home Emergency to your insurance policy. These add-ons can prove invaluable in the event of a claim or household emergency.
One of the benefits of using a broker is that an insurance expert can deal with claims for you! From reporting claims, sorting repairs and liaising with the insurers on your behalf.
A broker, such as Howden, is there to help make your experience as easy and straightforward as possible.
If you’re not sure what’s included in your insurance policies, pop into our George Street branch, or give us a call and we’ll be happy to take a look!
Howden Bath
7 George Street, Bath, BA1 2EH
01225 788044
www.howdeninsurance.co.uk
