Find the answers to your frequently asked questions about Greenbee Specialist Home Insurance.
- Is this a 'new for old' policy?
- Is accidental damage included?
- What does 'All risks, worldwide' cover mean?
- What do you mean by 'personal effects'?
- Are my golf clubs covered while in my car?
- Do you insure laptop computers?
- Are my child's belongings covered while they're at college or university?
- Will you insure the belongings of an elderly relative who lives with us?
- Are the contents of my outbuildings covered?
- Do I have any liability cover included in my contents policy?
- How much should my fine art and antiques, jewellery and watches be insured for?
- When do you require a valuation?
- If I use my home for my business, am I still covered?
- My property isn't a standard brick or stone house with a slate or tiled roof. Can you insure it?
- Will my swimming pool and hot tub be covered?
- Will I be covered when I move home?
- If I have an emergency at home, will you be able to help me?
- I think the security at my home is OK but want some advice. Can you help?
- Can I pay by Direct Debit?
Is this a 'new for old' policy?
Yes. This is why the total sum insured on contents must represent the cost of replacing all the contents and personal effects as new.
Is accidental damage included?
Yes, the policy automatically includes accidental damage cover for buildings and contents.
What does 'All risks, worldwide' cover mean?
Your contents, personal effects, fine art and antiques and jewellery and watches are insured against loss or damage, including accidental damage, whilst at your home or anywhere in the world. In addition, the sum insured shown in the schedule for these sections will be increased by up to 20% to cover any new purchases provided you inform us within 60 days of the purchase and pay any additional premium required.
What do you mean by 'personal effects'?
Personal effects are property used for domestic purposes or for occasional business use all belonging to you or your family, or for which you or your family are legally responsible and including the following:
- clothing, including clothing used for motor cycling
- furs, spectacles, contact lenses and hearing aids
- baggage and other items normally carried about the person
- photographic and mobile communication equipment
- electronic equipment
- sports equipment and pedal cycles
- musical instruments
Are my golf clubs covered while in my car?
Any items insured under the Contents section of your policy will be covered up to £5,000 as long as they are kept out of sight in a locked boot or closed glove compartment. The policy also includes cover for hire of replacement golf clubs overseas up to £250 following loss or damage to your golf clubs and in the event of a hole in one being achieved by you in an official golf competition, we will pay £500.
Do you insure laptop computers?
Yes. Laptops are covered up to £3,000 for any one laptop and if the data or records stored on your computer or other item of electronic equipment are lost we will pay the cost of reinstating the lost data up to £5,000. In addition, for computers, laptops, software, printers, scanners, facsimile machines, photocopiers, typewriters, telecommunication equipment and office furniture all owned by you or your family and used in connection with your business or employment are covered up to £20,000 under the Contents section.
Are my child's belongings covered while they're at college or university?
The possessions of student members of your family who are temporarily residing away from your home while attending school, college or university are covered up to £15,000.
Will you insure the belongings of an elderly relative who lives with us?
The policy covers the belongings of all members of your family who permanently live with you, including your spouse, partner, children, parents and other relatives. There is also cover up to £15,000 for loss or damage to contents belonging to your dependent parents or grandparents who are residing in a nursing home or residential care home.
Are the contents of my outbuildings covered?
Your contents are insured in your home or anywhere in the world. This includes garages and outbuildings at your home. There is also cover for outdoor items such as garden statuary, furniture and flower containers kept in the garden of your home up to £10,000.
Do I have any liability cover included in my contents policy?
Yes. You are covered for occupiers', personal and employers' liability up to £5 million for amounts which you or your family shall become legally liable to pay as damages in respect of accidental bodily injury to any person, accidental loss of or accidental damage to material property or accidental obstruction, accidental trespass or accidental nuisance resulting in interference with or loss of enjoyment of material property. Full details are contained in the policy booklet.
How much should my fine art and antiques, jewellery and watches be insured for?
The total sum insured on fine art and antiques, jewellery and watches must represent the full market value or cost of replacement. The market value and cost of replacing fine art and antiques, jewellery and watches is likely to fluctuate. We therefore recommend strongly that you review the value of these items regularly and seek professional help and guidance. The value of a painting can often increase following the death of the artist but you may not know about the death for a few months and so the sum insured under fine art will be increased by up to £50,000 automatically for 6 months following the death of the artist.
When do you require a valuation?
Valuations are required for:
- Jewellery and watches in excess of £5,000
- Fine art and antiques in excess of £20,000
If I use my home for my business, am I still covered?
We understand that many of our policyholders will work from home on a clerical basis and the policy includes up to £20,000 cover for business equipment and office furniture owned by you or your family and used in connection with your business or employment and and reinstatement of business data is covered up to £5,000.
My property isn't a standard brick or stone house with a slate or tiled roof. Can you insure it?
As a specialist insurer, we understand the need to ensure that properties such as these are adequately insured. We offer a wide range of protection for the fabric of your home, and are happy to provide cover for unusual properties, including Listed or graded homes, and non-standard construction, such as timber frame and thatched roofs.
Will my swimming pool and hot tub be covered?
The policy covers the buildings of your home and its walls, fences, gates, hedges, permanent fixtures and fittings, driveways, paths, steps, terraces, patios, permanently installed swimming pools, hot tubs, ornamental ponds, fountains, hard tennis courts, wind turbines used for domestic purposes and service tanks all on the same site including the underground services, inspection hatches and covers all supplying your home.
Will I be covered when I move home?
Yes, loss or damage occurring during the course of any household removal provided the removal is undertaken by professional removal contractors and the contractors have packed any brittle items including glass and china. However, there will be no cover for loss or damage whilst in transit by sea and theft or attempted theft will not be covered unless force and violence is used to gain entry to or exit from the removal vehicle or storage facility.
If I have an emergency at home, will you be able to help me?
Yes. In addition to a domestic helpline providing advice, we also offer a Home Emergency Service - we will send a tradesman to your home to fix the problem. We will pay for the cost of the call-out, labour costs, parts and materials up to £500 including VAT. Helplines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
I think the security at my home is OK but want some advice. Can you help?
Our experienced Risk Management Surveyors are available to visit your home to give help and guidance on suitable security measures. They can also give advice on practical steps to protect your home from fire, extreme weather conditions or whilst you are away from the home for long periods.
Can I pay by Direct Debit?
Yes, you can pay by monthly Direct Debit, interest free. You can also pay the full amount by debit or credit card, but unfortunately we are unable to accept American Express cards.