Get Maximum Value from Your Home Contents Insurance

There are plenty of problems that can occur to your property as a home owner. The cost of home insurance is a small fraction of what you may have to pay for storm or water damage, malicious acts or the risk of fire. Add to that the risk of your house being burgled - need we say more to gently remind you of your need for home contents insurance?

While there is no doubting we are still an extremely lucky, safe and peaceful country, Australia is a country of environmental extremes. Bottom line is that we need to protect ourselves financially to overcome mishap or disaster whether it's against the forces of nature or society.

Though we certainly advocate protecting yourself financially - and being in a position of seeing and understanding the full impact of home contents insurance claims we know how vital this is - we don't advocate spending a fortune to do so. 1Cover offer a range of policy options - Prestige, Classic and Vital home contents insurance - with thoughtful, comprehensive policy options at affordable prices.

When taking out home contents insurance it's important to always read the content of any policy first to be sure you fully understand what is covered. There's no point choosing the cheapest option only to discover when you come to claim that many of your treasured belongings were excluded.

Tips on Making a Claim

Should the day come when you need to make a claim, being organised and following these tips will make your claim process flow much more smoothly -

• Notify your insurance company if you make any renovations or changes to your home.
• If you purchase a particularly fine piece of jewellery or painting or similar, always notify your insurance company.
• Keep a detailed list of your possessions and if possible current valuations.
• Include serial and model numbers where appropriate and attach receipts to the list. Take photos or even make video recordings of each item.
• If you keep a copy of the list, the photos and the video recording in a location away from your home you will still be prepared should your home be substantially damaged.
• Notify your insurance company immediately if there is an incident.

Get the best value out of your home contents insurance by accurately advising the company of your possessions and their approximate market value and by keeping photographic and written records to substantiate and fast-track your claim.