For the same reason we insure our cars, we also need to protect our homes and belongings from unforeseen events such as fires, floods and theft. Home insurance is there to protect us from these events and is split into three types: buildings insurance, contents insurance and combined building and contents insurance.
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Buildings insurance provides cover for the structure (i.e. the bricks and mortar) of your home, as well as permanent structures in your home, such as your kitchen and bathrooms, and any outbuildings, including sheds and garages. Contents insurance covers all the items in your home that aren't part of the building's structure; from gadgets and furniture to clothes and jewellery.
Many homeowners opt for combined building and contents insurance as it's easier managing one policy than two. The other benefit is it could save you money. If you take out combined buildings and contents insurance with Hastings Direct, for instance, you could save up to 20%.
All information is correct at time of publication. Hastings Direct cannot be held responsible for any misinformation displayed.
| Cover included | Hastings Direct | Hastings Premier |
|---|---|---|
| £100,000 alternative accommodation cover* | ||
| New for old (excluding linens and clothing) | ||
| £1,000,000 of buildings insurance | ||
| £75,000 of contents insurance** | ||
| 24 hour UK claims helpline | ||
| Defaqto 5 Star rated cover | ||
| Family legal expenses cover | ||
| Home emergency cover |
* Upgraded to £200,000 for Premier policies. Only for building and building and contents policies.
** Can be increased up to £150,000 for an additional charge.
The services we provide are covered under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
The vast majority of UK homeowners have insurance in place. Data from the Association of British Insurers' (ABI's) UK Insurance & Long-Term Savings: Key Facts report shows In 2015-16, a total 19.7m of the 27.2m households in the country had contents insurance, and 16.6m had buildings insurance.
The same report explains insurers paid out an average of £12.9m per day in property claims, of which £7.4m was domestic and £5.5m commercial. During that period, the four top reasons for claims were:
The ABI says its insurers pay out approximately £2m each day to their customers in claims for escape of water, which is largely caused by pipes bursting in freezing temperatures. Escape of water can lead to flooding, and in severe cases, can bring down ceilings causing extensive structural damage.
With extreme downpours, gale-force winds and storms that tear through the UK, weather related damage to homes is the second highest reason for people claiming on their insurance. According to the ABI, insurers pay out approximately £1.2m a day in claims for weather damage.
Fires something all homeowners hope they'll never have to deal with. Yet, fires – in particular accidental ones – aren't as rare as you might think. The ABI says its insurers pay out approximately 1.1m in UK claims to their customers because of fire or explosion damage.
Though levels have dropped in recent years, police recorded 401,001 burglaries in the year ending March 2016, and 411,536 in the year ending March 2017. Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that, on average, 2 in 100 households will have been victims of domestic burglary. The ABI's insurers pay out approximately 1m in theft related claims.
The above statistics show just how important it is to protect your home and belongings. Home insurance will relieve the financial burden associated with any unforeseen events, helping you to recover from them as quickly as possible.
Sources:
Our refreshingly straightforward home insurance is Defaqto 5 Star rated, so you can be sure you're getting a great product. Plus you can choose from a great range of optional extras.
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