First time buying Home Insurance? Find out what your policy should cover in the blog below!
Buying Home Insurance for the first time can be quite exciting as perhaps it is linked to the purchase or rental of your first home in Dubai! It can also be perhaps a little daunting as you try to fully grasp how to evaluate different policies and pick the right coverage for you. Allow us to try and clarify what you should expect your Home Insurance policy to cover.
Defining Home Insurance
Home Insurance is a type of insurance that protects your home Contents and/or the property (Building) itself against natural perils, theft and fire damages. Although the incredibly, and admirably, low crime rates in the UAE seems to shift people’s attention away from buying Home insurance, the spate of fire damage affecting several homes in the UAE recently has put such insurance back on people’s shopping lists. So much so in fact that a recent fire in Dubai Zen Tower caused a 100% spike in the sales of home insurance policies after the incident: reinforcing the importance of having home insurance even in one of the world’s safest cities.
What is typically covered with a home insurance policy?
Typically Home insurance policies contain several sections of coverage: protecting the property itself (Buildings cover) the Contents (household goods, electrical appliances and furniture), personal belongings (up to a certain value) and personal liability arising out of occupancy of the home. We will explain these covers in a little more detail below.
1. Buildings:
This is the most common and recommended rental car insurance cover, and if you want to know more about it and whether or not it’s recommended to buy one, check our previous blog: Is purchasing collision damage waiver insurance advisable?
2. Contents:
Home contents are the items you use, store and decorate your home with essentials such as TVs, “white goods” (kitchen and laundry appliances) and furniture items such as sofas, tables & chairs, rugs & carpets. Many household items, especially electronics, can cost a lot to replace and might even be worth tens of thousands of dirhams. This is usually the main reason for tenants purchasing Home Insurance as they look to cover the items that make their house a home.
3. Personal Possessions/Belongings:
This section covers the valuable items you own and that may be taken outside of the home and carried with you to different locations. These items include your critical documents, such as your passport or driving license, and valuables such as jewelry or laptops. And reassuringly, many Home Insurance policies offer worldwide protections on these items, making your personal belongings covered wherever you go!
4. Distinct covers for distinct items:
If you are an art enthusiast that likes to buy, collect and display artworks in your home, you may be offered the option to take out additional, specific covers to protect such valuable items. Even if you buy expensive designer furniture items that are limited edition or above a certain amount of money, you’ll have to declare these items to have them added to your policy. Most policies have set limits for items insured and sometimes these limits or basis of cover might be inadequate for your valuables so you should always check with your insurance provider to ensure they are suitably protected.
Insurance purchase can be a bit uneasy to some people, so why go through it alone? Reach out to our insurance advisors at InsuranceMarket.ae and they will advise you on what covers you should include and help you buy the best policy for your needs. Don’t take our word for it, give them a try today!
