Taking out a policy is the first step – but it’s vital to ensure it actually fits your needs
23 December 2019
| Last updated on 23 December 2019![How to Avoid a Nasty Insurance Surprise How to Avoid a Nasty Insurance Surprise](https://cdn.expatwoman.com/s3fs-public/insurance-main.jpg)
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Having insurance brings peace of mind should the worst happen...
Nonetheless, it may not be until you actually come to make a claim, that a stumbling block you weren’t expecting crops up.
By doing a bit of homework however, you could help ensure you have the right type of cover in place.
Andy Briggs, chief executive officer at Aviva UK Insurance, says: “There is a lot that people can do to help ensure their claims are settled quickly in a fuss-free way, and that’s to really understand what their policies do and don’t cover, to add to their cover if there is something missing, and to be completely open with their insurer about any pre-existing matters that won’t be covered.”
SEE ALSO: Important questions to ask when buying travel insurance
Here are some top tips for consumers, to help ensure there are no nasty surprises and avoid misunderstandings that can crop up when a claim is made…
Home insurance
If you have a standard policy, consider whether you need additional cover for accidental damage to contents, or home emergency and boiler breakdown cover.
Most home policies don’t cover gradual wear and tear, the effects of damp and dry rot, or damage to fences, gates and hedges – so make sure your home is well maintained and in good repair. Keep your insurer informed if you make any changes to your home, such as a change in occupancy or building works.
Travel insurance
Make sure you tell your insurer what they need to know about your health, such as any pre-existing medical conditions or tests and investigations.
Try to arrange your travel insurance from the day a holiday is booked – not the day the holiday starts. This will help to make sure you’re covered if the trip is cancelled. It’s also important to make sure you understand the specific cancellation reasons you’re covered for if you need to cancel your holiday.
![How to Avoid a Nasty Insurance Surprise How to Avoid a Nasty Insurance Surprise](https://cdn.expatwoman.com/s3fs-public/styles/full_width_870/public/shutterstock_450980248.jpg?itok=ZGjnj-az)
Motor insurance
Know your policy excess – the amount you need to pay in the event of a claim before the insurance company pays the remainder. When claims are turned down, this can sometimes be because the value of the claim being made falls within the excess stated.
SEE ALSO: Why every expat should have contents insurance in the UAE
Also, many of us keep possessions lying around in the car. Consider personal belongings cover on your home contents policy to cover your possessions in case they are lost, damaged or stolen while in your car. You may also want to consider installing a dashcam, which can help prove who’s at fault if you have an accident. This could help you to protect your ‘no claims’ discount and excess on your policy.
Life insurance, critical illness and income protection
You could risk your claim being turned down if you fail to provide accurate statements about your health and lifestyle when taking out a policy, as insurers would not have been made aware of potentially relevant information.
Life events, such as starting a family or getting a bigger mortgage, could mean your protection cover no longer meets your needs, so make sure you regularly review it. Make sure you understand what specific conditions are and aren’t covered by your policy.
Health insurance
Be aware that you may well not be covered for any medical condition you had before taking a policy out. Different policies offer varying levels of protection – you may want to add on extras, such as out-patient cover or be able to choose where you have treatment.
Finally, always check if you're unclear about your insurance...
Contact your insurer and ask them to explain, or speak to your broker or adviser if you have one.