Insurance can feel like opening doors behind doors behind doors. Unlike almost every other product you buy, apart from peace of mind, you don’t feel the benefit of insurance until something bad happens. And while we all need insurance, we buy it hoping we don’t have to use it.
When something bad happens, we immediately question our cover. Was it all explained? Did you ask the right questions? Are you covered? We might find ourselves hastily searching for an answer to a complex question or trying to find out if our policy excludes your circumstance.
Below, we look at the most Googled insurance questions and answer them for you.

Is inherited jewellery included in my home and contents cover?
We have many clients with expensive or luxurious possessions but what about those whose relative left a piece of jewellery or item which you don’t know the value of? Well, a standard home and contents insurance policy has a cap on how much you are covered for. These vary so it’s worth checking your existing policy, but it’s unlikely it will cover too much. You can arrange valuations where you can have jewellery and other inherited possessions valued by a professional. Specialist items require specialist insurance. It doesn’t make sense risking something so precious, does it?

What is not included in home insurance?
Together with high-value goods, there are other things not covered which might surprise you. For instance, if pests such as rats enter your home and damage appliances, you may not be covered since you could have prevented the pest from entering your home. General wear and tear isn’t usually covered, nor is a build-up of mould.
Some policies also exclude things like floods, burst pipes, poor workmanship. If you are a business working from home and don’t have the right home business insurance, standard home insurance won’t cover injury or damage to your goods, either. It’s essential you are proactive in protecting your home.
Got a question not answered here? Pick up the phone, we’ll be happy to answer it for you. We may also be able to get you a policy that’s cheaper and better than an existing policy.

When are landlords allowed to access their property?

As a residential landlord, you tread a fine line between actively maintaining your property while leaving tenants to live in peace.

What is a landlord’s right of entry?
Tenants are likely to regard the property as their home. Under “the covenant for quiet enjoyment”, UK law entitles tenants to enjoy the property without interference from landlords, letting agents or anyone acting on their behalf.
But there will be times when you need to access their tenanted property, whether it’s to carry out emergency repairs or to perform routine inspections.
Those situations are covered under the following three stipulations:

Right of reasonable access
This allows landlords to enter in order to carry out repairs. In an emergency, “reasonable access” allows landlords to enter immediately, such as if there is a fire in the property, if you can smell gas, or if there is structural damage which requires urgent attention. In other circumstances you need to give notice.

Right to inspect
Landlords can enter for routine visits such as inspections, but you don’t have any right to go in without giving notice.

Right to enter to provide services
If it’s stipulated in the tenancy agreement signed by the tenants, you can enter the property without notice to provide an ongoing service, such as room cleaning.

Things To Know
Legally, you must give 24 hours notice before entering a property.
Of course many landlords choose to give more notice than this, and a standard tenancy agreement will say you should only arrange to visit at “reasonable” times of day.

Can my tenant refuse access to my property?
Yes, tenants are within their rights to refuse you access – usually this happens if the date and time isn’t convenient, and you can simply rearrange. If a tenant persistently tries to obstruct you from entering the property, you can take steps including applying for a court order or serving a notice of eviction.
Part of being a reliable, reputable landlord is ensuring you have the right insurance in place. Oncover Insurance can arrange Property Owners’ Insurance to suit you and your properties, with vital covers including Landlords’ Liability and more.

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