Two contents insurance policies @ one address?

Thrifty_Pixie

Hi all,

OK, shout me down if this is a daft or obvious question, but can you have two contents insurance policies for one address?

The reason I ask is that myself and fiance are currently living with his father who, apparently, has a contents insurance policy in place. However, he's not very reliable (70-odd year old alcoholic) and evades any questions I have about this policy by feigning indignation that I don't trust that he knows what he's doing :cool:

My main worry is that he hasn't taken into consideration my belongings, as I moved in last November and have an extensive collection of books, stamps, jewellery and bits and bobs that I need to make sure are covered, and so I was thinking of taking out a separate policy. He also smokes heavily and I'm worried that all my lovingly collected books will, literally, go up in smoke should he fall asleep.

Thanks in advance

grogdog

quick answer is no, you cant have 2 contents policies on the same property

FlameCloud

grogdog wrote: »

quick answer is no, you cant have 2 contents policies on the same property

The quick answer is you are wrong.

Yes, you can have many policies covering one property as you like.

Quentin

Yes, ignore grogdog, and follow Flamecloud's sound answer.

dogbot

As indicated above, however, you probably want to get a policy that covers everything in the house - the policy with cover the policyholder (i.e. you) and members of the household permanently resident there (i.e. father in law and your partner as well). If there is a loss and there are two policies, then cover may well have been paid for twice and you might be over insured. If you claim against one policy, then that insurer will probably look to obtain contriubtion to the costs of the claim from the other.

You can't be paid twice for something - you can't insure for more than the value of the items (ok, this is actualy modified under HH insurance contracts by offering new-for-old value protection rather than pure indemnity).

Thrifty_Pixie

Many thanks peeps...sounds like it gets quite complicated if I get a policy myself. I think I'll just try and get the old geezer to show me his docs this weekend then and see where we stand

stator

Try Endsleigh, they do insurance for people in shared properties, though not sure if you need to be renting and have a tenancy agreement or whatever.

grogdog

FlameCloud wrote: »

The quick answer is you are wrong.

Yes, you can have many policies covering one property as you like.

sorry but yes you can pay for as many insurance policies you want but you cant claim on all of them for 1 item, ie smashed tv and 2 house insurance policies you will only get paid once so what is the point.

Quentin

grogdog wrote: »

what is the point.

Read the OP to see what the point was behind this thread!

anniecave

I have had cover with endsleigh for 13 years now in various shared places and have never been asked for any tennancy agreement.

I have been always a tenant though. Living with family members is different (I think) for insurance purposes but I would still think they may be able to cover you.

Thrifty_Pixie

Thanks guys...I'll look into it then