cover for domestic oil

G_M

As the cost of oil for central heating fuel rises, the value in the tank increases. Furthermore, the number of thefts from tanks is increasing.

I've been advised by several insurers (well, their call centre chaps....) that as the tank is in the garden (most oil tanks are!) the oil falls under the 'contents in the garden' section.

And most policies restrict this to £1000. (with an excess of whatever). So I'd be seriously out of pocket if a full tank was nicked.

Furthermore, if the thieves damaged the tank (eg if I'd padlocked it) there could be leakage (they typically drill a hole low down, pump out oil, then leave the remainder just running out.) This requires notification to the Environmental Health Dept and an (expensive) clean-up.

Noneof the call centre... er.... chaps seem to know which section of the policy, if any, lwould cover this.

Anyone come across this? Got answers? Or recommend an insurer who specifically covers oil tanks as part of the policy?

(Yes, many policies mention 'escape of water or oil' but this does not seem to cover theft...)

rs65

I thought most would cover theft and clean up costs these days.

Who are you insured with?

dacouch

The oil contamination often comes under the liability section.

As you say claims can be expensive as the EA will bill you for their time and then insist on certain measures eg the ground is dug up where any oil is.

If it gets near or into a water course the cost go through the roof

G_M

dacouch wrote: »

The oil contamination often comes under the liability section.

Ah! Yes, that sounds plausible.

I thought most would cover theft and clean up costs these days.

Who are you insured with?

Good to hear that's what you think - can you be more specific? Refer to relevant section which covers (without the 'garden cover £1K limit)?

Current insurer is irrelevant - I'm shopping around.

hugoshavez

G_M wrote: »

As the cost of oil for central heating fuel rises, the value in the tank increases. Furthermore, the number of thefts from tanks is increasing.

I've been advised by several insurers (well, their call centre chaps....) that as the tank is in the garden (most oil tanks are!) the oil falls under the 'contents in the garden' section.

And most policies restrict this to £1000. (with an excess of whatever). So I'd be seriously out of pocket if a full tank was nicked.

Furthermore, if the thieves damaged the tank (eg if I'd padlocked it) there could be leakage (they typically drill a hole low down, pump out oil, then leave the remainder just running out.) This requires notification to the Environmental Health Dept and an (expensive) clean-up.

Noneof the call centre... er.... chaps seem to know which section of the policy, if any, lwould cover this.

Anyone come across this? Got answers? Or recommend an insurer who specifically covers oil tanks as part of the policy?

(Yes, many policies mention 'escape of water or oil' but this does not seem to cover theft...)

Central heating fuel is usally covered under contents, yes.

Lots of policies have limits for contents in the garden above £1k. Most of the big insurers' intermediate or quality offerings will have limits of £2.5k or more, like the Direct Line +

http://www.directline.com/pdf/home/home-insurance-plus-policy-hm142.pdf

G_M

Update:

Unsurprisingly, the call centres I've spoken to have proved unreliable and downright misleading on the phone.

I've now established that any oil store or tank, located anywhere within the boundary of the property, is considered to be part of the building, providing it is connected to the central heating system by pipes.

Consequently it is covered under the standard Buildings and Contents sections (for damage and theft respectively), rather than under the Contents In The Garden section.

This seems to be common to most providers' policies.

Thanks for everyone's input though.