Needs help on Home Insurance Quote

Bisoy

Dear All MSEr's

My home insurance is due next month and was about to get a quote but come accross with few questions that I'm not familiar with. First about door locks: We have double glazed front and back doors and was asking what type of door locks e.g. 5 lever mortice deadlock or 5 mortice deadlock conforming to BS3621 etc. I haven't got a clue as to which one. Secondly cost of home rebuilding and how to find out which? To my own knowledge is not same as the house price. Again I'm lost. Any replies is much appreciated.

cheers

Oscar_The_Grouch

Hi there.

Go to: http://calculator.bcis.co.uk/ to calculate the rebuilding cost of your home. It should give you a figure (as you suggest) that is lower than the value of your home.

For the locks, double glazed units tend to come with the multi point locking system (several bolts around the door that move when you lift the handle). This should comply with BS3621 but if you are worried, take one of the keys to a locksmith (or hardware shop) and ask them whether it's a key for a 5-lever lock.

mattymoo

Bisoy, I'm a surveyor for an insurer and security is one of the things I look at.

A 5 lever mortice deadlock is only designed to be fitted in a wooden door. BS3621 standard only apply to this type of lock and a couple of pretty rare rim locks.

None of these locks are suitable for UPVC or alumium framed doors. As Oscar says, these are fitted with multi-point locking systems controlled by cylinder lock keys / mechanisms similar to those found in car locks. BS3621 will not apply.

Although there are some weaknesses associated with UPVC doors that I'll not mention here, they are pretty good at standing up to a brute force attack. The major insurers will certainly accept them.

However, some internet / call centre firms always quote this "5 lever BS mortice deadlock" mantra and poorly trained staff refuse to accept any other kind of lock. Bit of a "computer says no situation".

As an example of an enlightened company, this More Than policy shows that they will accept your kind of lock / door. See page 7 in this document - http://www.morethan.com/process/documents/home_policy_wording.pdf

Bisoy

Thanks Oscar and mattymoo. I have digged out our old documents and found our property's valuation report as we have remortgaged our house in 2004. The valuation that time was £100,000 and cost of rebuilding for insurance purposes was £82,000. The current value of our property is in a region between £120,000 to £140,000. Am I right in saying that the reinstatement value of our property could have also increased?

mattymoo

The building cost index was 200 in Q1 2004.
In Q2 2008 it is now 255.

So, (£82,000 devide by 200) x 255 would give you an ERBC of £104,550

This is a rough and ready calculation from RICS figures and does not make any allowance for regional variations.

Bisoy

Hi Guys,

I need more help on an home insurance quote. I've just realised that I've not fully understood the terms use on home insurance. I hope you'll be a bit patient as I'll try to get all the information on my quote right.
1) Patio door = I think this is the kitchen door (which in our case double glazed) leading to our back garden or patio hence I would put a multilocking system.
2) Other Exits= After our patio we have an external timber and wooden door or gate leading to the alleyway. Is this what the insurer asking for "other exits?"
3) Outbuildings= We have a shed but not a garage so am right in saying that it is considered an outbuilding?
4) High value items= We have some articles of gold (jewelries) which we have acquired few years ago while working in the middle east but don't have a clue as to market value of these items today. Should we have it valued or appraised? and if we have to where should we go?

Please accept my apologies if these questions are a bit stupid but I don't want our house to be underinsured or overinsured. I would appreciate any advise.

cheers

Bisoy

Can anyone help clarify these insurance terms? many thanks.