Home Insurance
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What can be covered under a Home policy?
- The Buildings
- The Contents in your home
- “All Risks” Cover for Personal Possessions
- Personal Accident cover
- Third Party Liability
- Home Worker Business Contents
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What is covered under each section and how do I establish an adequate Sum Insured?
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Buildings
By “Buildings” we mean the actual structure of your house including all fixtures and fittings, outbuildings, garages, greenhouses, swimming pools, terraces, patios, driveways, footpaths, walls, gates, hedges and fences. The value to be insured is the cost of rebuilding the home as new and not its current market value if it is put up for sale. The insured value must neither include the value of the land or site upon which the home is built.
Contents
This includes all the items in your home such as:
Furniture, Furnishings, Carpets, Floor Coverings, Household Appliances and Equipment, Linen, Cooking Utensils and Provisions, Collections, Toys, Garage Equipment, Garden Equipment, Radios, Video Cassette Recorders, Hi-Fi Equipment Home Computers, Frozen Foods And Provisions, Sports Equipment, Cycles, Furs, Jewellery, Watches, Cameras and Other Valuables.
The basis of cover under this section is on a New for Old basis and the Sum Insured must therefore represent the cost of replacing all the contents of your household as new.
The following items are not considered as household goods and are excluded:
Motor Vehicles, Trailers, Surfboards, Sailboards, Boats or Aircraft of any kind, Living Creatures, Trees, Bushes or Plants of any kind, Interior Decorations and any property owned or used for Business Purposes.
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What is “All Risks” Cover For Personal Possessions?
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Items insured under this section are covered whilst temporarily removed to anywhere within the Maltese Islands on an “All Risks” basis.
This cover is recommended for items that are taken regularly out of your home such as Jewellery, Articles of Gold, Silver or Other Precious Metals, Watches, and other adornments. It is also recommended for items of particular value such as Works Of Art, Stamp, Coin or Medal Collection, Pictures and Paintings.
Moreover extensions may be obtained to extend the cover to Europe or Worldwide.
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Why do I need “Personal Accident” cover?
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This section provides cover against bodily injury or death caused by violent, accidental, external and visible means to any person insured whilst anywhere in the Maltese Islands or on holiday/business anywhere in Europe for visits up to 15 consecutive days. The benefits are as follows:
- Death €12,000
- Permanent Disability €12,000
- Temporary Disablement €115 per week up to maximum 104 weeks
- Medical Expenses €600
Remember that your National Insurance(NI) covers only up to 15 days sick leave at full pay, and an additional 15 days at half-pay.
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What are the risks covered under the Buildings and Contents Section?
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A Home policy has a "specified perils" wording. This means that the risks that you are covered against are listed one-by-one. The simple rule to follow is that if it is not listed than it is likely that you are not insured. These are the risks you are insured against:
- Fire, Explosion and Smoke
- Theft or Attempted Theft (following forcible and violent entry)
- Leakage of Water or Oil
- Civil Commotion and Malicious Damage
- Impact by aircraft, Vehicles or Animals
- Storm and Flood (excluding gates, hedges and fences)
- Lightning, Thunderbolt or Earthquake
- Falling Trees
- Breakage or collapse of Television and Radio Aerials
In addition we automatically provide cover for:
- Accidental breakage of Fixed Glass, Sanitary Fittings and Underground Services
- Payment of Professional Fees, Site Clearance and Other Costs
- The cost of reasonable Alternative Accommodation and/or Loss of Rent whilst your home is uninhabitable because of an insured loss
- The buyer, when you agree to sell your home, up to and until completion of the sale
- Pedal Cycles and Sports Equipment - Limit: €600
- Freezer and Refrigerator Contents - Limit: €250
- Accidental Damage to Home Entertainment Equipment - Limit: €2,500
- Wedding Presents and Gifts - Limit: €12,000
- Replacement of Locks and Keys - Limit: €600
- Replacement of Documents - Limit: €250
- Credit, Debit, Charge, Cheque or Cash Cards - Limit: €2,500
- Mirrors and Glass - Limit: €2,500
- Trace and Access - Limit: €600
- Loss of Metered Water - Limit: €600
- Prams, Pushchairs and Wheelchairs - Limit: €600
- Fire Extinguishing Expenses - Limit: €250
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If I am found responsible to pay for damages caused to third parties, will I be covered by the policy?
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Yes it is. As a homeowner or a tenant you have certain responsibilities at law. If, for example, your neighbour's house or a car parked in front of your home, is damaged as a result of an accident that was caused through a negligent act or omission on your part, you will be responsible to compensate them for such damage. The policy protects you against this risk.
Third Party Liability is automatically covered under the policy as follows:
| If you have insured your Buildings only: |
As owner |
| If you have insured your Contents: |
As occupier |
| Personal Liability: |
As a Tenant |
The maximum amount payable under this section is €1,200,000 (Lm515,160).
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Are there any discounts available?
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The following are the various discounts that we offer and that range up to a maximum of 30%
| If you have a Motor policy with us: |
10% |
| Senior Citizens Discount - if you or your spouse are over 61 years of age: |
10% |
Mature Policyholders Discount - If you or your spouse are between 50 - 60 years of age
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7.5% |
| If you have an Intruder Alarm installed: |
10% |
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Does my premium increase if I have a claim?
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No. Home insurance is different from Motor insurance and No Claims Discount does not apply.
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What is Full Theft cover?
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The standard cover provided by the policy for theft excludes cover if the theft is not accompanied by forcible and violent entry into or exit from the building.
It may be possible to extend the policy to cover theft without this limitation at an additional premium.
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Is there an excess in my Home Policy?
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Yes, some sections do have an excess and normally this amounts to €35.
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Can I insure my house if it is still under construction?
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We can provide cover for a home which is still being constructed. The cover will include also temporary erections and the fixed materials on site.
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Will I be covered if my house is unoccupied?
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The policy cover operates in full if the house is left unoccupied for a maximum period of 30 consecutive days in any one period of insurance. After 30 days the cover in respect of Buildings and Contents will automatically exclude the following:
- Breakage of or damage to fixed glass and sanitary fittings
- Loss or damage caused by:
- Theft or attempted theft
- Vandalism or acts of malicious persons
- You are insured for loss or damage caused by:
- Fire
- Explosion or smoke damage
- Water escaping from:
- Fixed plumbing installations
- Washing machine
- Dishwasher
- Refrigerator
- Freezer
- Waterbed
- Fish tank.
- Oil leaking from any fixed heating installation, pipes or apparatus.
We can provide full cover for 60, 90 or full (throughout the whole year) unoccupancy at an additional premium.
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Do I have to list all the items that are to be insured?
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No, it is not necessary to list all items. In certain cases it may be necessary to list valuables that are worth more than €2,500, but this depends on the sum to be insured on contents.
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Will it be necessary to install an alarm system?
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Depending on the value of the contents and the location of your home we may make some recommendations to improve the security of your home, such as installing an alarm system or fitting security locks. These are not mandatory in the majority of cases.
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Can I just insure for part of the value of my contents?
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No, you must insure for the full value of your contents and of your building. If you under-insure any claim you make will be reduced by the proportion you under-insure. For example, if your contents are valued at €30,000 and you insure them for €20,000 (i.e. you under-insure by 33%) and then make a claim for €2,500 you will only be entitled to receive €833.
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If I drop something will it be covered?
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Yes if that item is insured under the "All Risks" section.
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My neighbour is carrying out some building works, am I covered if he damages my property as a result?
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Your home policy would protect you if damage to your home or its contents is caused by an insured peril such as fire, explosion or impact even if this was caused as a result of the works that your neighbour is carrying out. If however the damage is not caused by an insured peril, such as cracks appearing on your walls, then your remedy is to seek compensation from your neighbour or the building contractor.
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