Confused - what does contents insurance cover?

Magpye

I am about to renew my contents insurance and am looking for a good deal, however I am finding it difficult to get a straight answer out of insurers on the subject of damage by pets.

I have a very rambunctious cat, who so far has only broken small personal items (costume jewellery and a few ornaments of sentimental value) but she decided to have a wobble about on top of the games console the other day and it made me a bit paranoid that she could potentially break it.

Would damage caused by pets be covered under a standard insurance policy or would I need to take out accidental damage to cover this - I have asked one insurer and they say they would refuse to pay out for any damage caused by pets under any circumstances!! Which I feel is a bit unfair, if humans are allowed to have accidents with items, why not pets?

If anyone can help shed some light on this situation I would be grateful!

Ms_Chocaholic

A friend of mine claimed for her TV when it was broken after her partner felling over the dog and knocked it off the stand. Not sure if this is classed as damage by pets !!! or not though.

If you want, I can find out the details of her insurer.

Quentin

You can get an extension to some pets insurance policies to cover any accidental damage they do to property (try Saga).

davidwatts

Most contents policies provide cover for accidental damage (AD) to audio, video and computer equipment as standard but AD cover to the rest of your contents is usually an optional extra.

The typical exclusion is "chewing, scratching, tearing or fouling by domestic pets" (this is the case for NU and CIS for example) although other insurers could have a wider exclusion. If the policy contained the aforementioned typical exclusion then you would be covered if the pet knocked an item over/off a shelf.

When you've found the best quote, check the policy wording. If in doubt, ask the insurer (though that can be something of a lottery depending on who you speak to).

moonrakerz

Magpye wrote: »

I have a very rambunctious cat, who so far has only broken small personal items (costume jewellery and a few ornaments of sentimental value)

You've answered your own question !

Oscar_The_Grouch

Damage by pets is something that is not generally covered. If you are over 50, Saga offer a policy that includes damage by pets as well as scratching and denting cover. Of course, it's the most expensive of their policies, but you get what you pay for. The policy is underwritten by London & Edinburgh.

If you are not over 50, Lloyds TSB offer a policy but you have to insure for a minimum of £50,000 contents (so again it is quite expensive). This policy is underwritten by Sterling.

Barclays also offer a policy that includes pet damage, but only if you are a Premier Banking Customer (have LOADS of money). This policy is underwritten by NU via one of their sister companies.

Zurich used to offer a policy. Home & Legacy have the cover (they are a broker). Hiscox and Chubb also provide this, as do Sterling. As far as I am aware, NU do not offer the cover under any of their policies that they sell direct to the public, but I will be happy to hear otherwise!!

The main point I want to get across is that if you want cover for damage by your pets included in your home insurance, you will have to get one of the higher end policies and forget Confused.com!!!

All the best,

davidwatts

Oscar_The_Grouch wrote: »

Damage by pets is something that is not generally covered.

NU do not offer the cover under any of their policies that they sell direct to the public, but I will be happy to hear otherwise!!

The main point I want to get across is that if you want cover for damage by your pets included in your home insurance, you will have to get one of the higher end policies and forget Confused.com!!!

All the best,

Hi Oscar, so would you disagree with my post or are you referring to full "pet damage" cover including scratching and fouling etc?

Oscar_The_Grouch

Hi David

I'm referring to full pet damage, including Fido being accidentally locked in a room and using the plant stand as a tree!!

FlameCloud

St Andrews policies- so Halifax, British Gas, IF, Sainsburies etc have no generic exclusion for pet damage.

moonrakerz

FlameCloud wrote: »

St Andrews policies- so Halifax, British Gas, IF, Sainsburies etc have no generic exclusion for pet damage.

Most insurance policies exclude "pre-existing conditions", the OP has admitted that the moggy has a history of breaking things.
This is rather like trying to take out insurance after the house has burnt down !

davidwatts

FlameCloud wrote: »

St Andrews policies- so Halifax, British Gas, IF, Sainsburies etc have no generic exclusion for pet damage.

Just had a look at the Sainsbury's policy and would agree there appears to be no exclusions relating to AD caused by pets, so tearing, scratching and fouling etc would appear to be covered!