Customer reply replied 9 years ago
Document details below. Please tell me if this makes it any clearer.
01 Jun 2011
Our phone numbers
Customer services
0844(NNN) NNN-NNNN
Mon to Fri 8am-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm
Sun 10am-4pm
If you need to make a claim
0844(NNN) NNN-NNNN
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Your policy number
XXXXXXXXX 03
Please tell us this number if you contact us
Understanding your policy
Your policy is a legal contract between you and
us. There are two parts, the Policy and the
Schedule. Together these make up the complete
contract so they must be read as one document.
The contract explains what we'll do if you make a
claim and what you must do to ensure that your
policy remains in force. It also explains certain
rights that exist under the policy including the
rights of either party to change or cancel your
policy. To shorten these documents and make
them easier to read we have assigned very
specific meanings to certain words. These words
are explained in the section called 'Definitions'.
Cooling off period
Once you have received your Policy, you'll have
14 days to make sure the cover is exactly what
you need. If it isn't, you can send back your
documents and ask us to make the necessary
changes. Alternatively, you can request
cancellation of the policy and you'll pay for the
time spent on cover. After that time, the rules as
stated in the "Cancelling this insurance" section
will apply.
Changing your policy
If your circumstances change you must contact
us. We should be able to change the cover to suit
your new requirements.To make any changes or
enquiries on any of your policies with Budget
Insurance Services please call us.
Choice of Law
Unless otherwise stated, English law applies.
Definitions
Certain words are defined below. These words
have the same meaning wherever they appear in
your policy.
Accidental Damage
Sudden, unexpected and visible damage which
has not been caused on purpose.
Buildings
Your property and its swimming pools, tennis
courts, patios, terraces, service tanks, drains,
septic tanks, pipes, permanently connected
cables, central heating, fuel storage tanks, drives,
footpaths, garden walls, hedges, gates, fences &
permanent fixtures and fittings.
Contents
Household goods and High risk items. Personal
possessions and Pedal Cycles that any member
of your Household owns or is legally responsible
for including satellite dishes and aerials and up to
£3000 worth of office equipment and furniture for
a business run from your property but excluding:
Money, Credit cards, tools used for business,
business stock, vehicles or other mechanically
propelled devices (other than domestic motorised
gardening equipment), caravans, trailers, pedal
cycles, watercraft including wind surfers and
sailboards, hovercraft, or any aircraft (other than
hand propelled or models) all with their
accessories while attached, any living creature,
any part of the buildings, securities, certificates
and documents.
Credit/debit cards
Credit, debit, cheque, charge, bankers, store or
cash dispenser cards, all issued in the British
Isles, which belong to or are the legal
responsibility of your Household, are used solely
for private, social and domestic purposes but not
store loyalty cards or Credit cards used or held for
any trade, professional or business purposes.
EU
The territory of any member country of the
European Union.
Excess
An uninsured portion of any loss that will be
deducted from any claim settlement.
High risk items
Photographic equipment, jewellery, items or sets
or collections of items containing gold, silver or
other precious metals or precious stones, works
of art, pictures, sets of stamps, coins or medals,
or furs all belonging to your Household or for
which they are legally responsible.
Home/Property
The private dwelling at the insured address on the
schedule together with its garages and domestic
outbuildings.
Household
You, your spouse, your children (including foster
children) and your domestic employees or relatives
providing they normally live with you.
Money
Cash, bank and currency notes, cheques, money
and postal orders, postage stamps (not being part
of a collection), saving stamps and saving
certificates, premium bonds, luncheon vouchers,
travellers cheques, travel tickets, phone cards and
gift tokens but not lottery or raffle tickets,
scratchcards, money held or used for any trade,
business or profession.
Pay/Paid
Compensate by means of payment, replacement
or repair at our discretion by a supplier of our
choice.
Pedal cycle
Any bicycle which is not motorised and which your
Household owns or is legally responsible for.
Period of Insurance
The period that begins on the policy start date and
time and ends on the policy expiry date and time
shown on the Schedule.
Personal possessions
Clothing and other personal items designed to be
typically worn or carried on or about the person
either inside or away from your property.
Policy
The contract of insurance which consists of the
Policy, the Schedule and the Policy Payment
Arrangements.
Schedule
The document which describes the details of the
policy which are specific to you.
Spouse
Your husband or wife or partner whose relationship
with you is equivalent to that of a husband or wife.
Unoccupied
Not occupied by any member of your Household or
any other person who is in your property with the
knowledge and consent of a member of your
Household.
You/your/policyholder
The person named as policyholder in the
Schedule.
We/us/our
The insurer named in your policy acting either
directly or through its appointed agent BISL
Limited. Where the insurer is part of Lloyd's
syndicate only the underwriters share of the claim
will be paid. The names and percentages each
must pay are available on request.
Your insurance policy: Your policy schedule
Policy holder
Mr G Avery
Joint insured
Mrs M Avery
Insured address
47 The Horseshoe, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP3 8QS
Postal address
47 The Horseshoe, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP3 8QS
Policy number
XXXXXXXXX 03
Policy start date and time
00:01 on 1 June 2011
Policy expiry date and time
24:00 on 31 May 2012
Section 1: Buildings - Included
Limit of liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . up to £400000
• Accidental Damage included. . . . . . . . . . . Yes
Section 2: Buildings Liability - Included
Sum insured. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £2000000
Section 3: Contents - Included
Sum insured. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £50000
• High risk items sum insured. . . . . . . . . . . . £12500
• Single high risk item limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £1500
• Accidental Damage included . . . . . . . . . . . Yes
Section 4: Contents Liability - Included
Sum insured
• Personal liability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £2000000
• As an employer of domestic
employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
£5000000
• Unrecovered court damages. . . . . . . . . . . £1000000
Section 5: Cover outside the Home - Included
Personal possessions (unspecified):. . . . . .
Sum insured £2000
• Single item limit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £1500
• Unspecified pedal cycles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £350
Personal possessions (specified): . . . . . . . . None
Section 6: Family Legal Protection - Not Included
Section 7: Keycare Cover - Not Included
Excesses payable
unless otherwise shown in the policy
Section 1: Buildings
Subsidence, heave or landslip. . . . . . . . . . . . . £1000
All other claims except . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
where noted in section 1 above
£250
Section 2: Buildings Liability
All claims. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £0
Section 3: Contents
All claims. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £150
Section 4: Contents Liability
All claims. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £0
Section 5: Personal possessions
All claims except pedal cycles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . £150
Pedal cycles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £150
Endorsements applicable
See 'Endorsements' in your insurance policy
Other interests
You requested that we note the interest of an
interested party on your policy, and the details
we have are:
Interested Party
Cheltenham & Gloucester Plc
Insurer of sections 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
Congregational & General Insurance plc -
50%, Hiscox Insurance Co. Ltd - 50%
Registered Address
Currer House
Currer Street
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD1 5BA
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
FSA Register number 202089
Your Demands and Needs
This policy is designed to meet the demands and needs of customers who
wish to insure their home and/or contents against, for example damage from
fire, smoke, flood or storm damage and against theft or vandalism, as well
as any additional services chosen. We have not provided advice on whether
the policy is suitable for your needs or made any recommendations.
• your chosen level of cover - buildings and contents
A summary of the benefits and exclusions of your policy can be found in
your policy summary. The full terms and conditions are also included within
your documentation.
Several Liability Clause
The liability of the insurers under this contract is several not joint. Neither
insurer is jointly liable for the proportion of liability underwritten by the other
insurer nor is either insurer otherwise responsible for any liability of any
other insurer that may underwrite this contract. The proportion of liability
underwritten by each insurer and details of each insurer are shown in the
policy schedule.
Your insurance policy
Section 1 - Buildings Cover
Sub Section i: Standard Cover
We will pay for the loss or damage to the buildings of your property caused
by:
a Fire, smoke, lightning, explosion, thunderbolt or earthquake but not
damage by smoke from air pollution;
b Storm or flood but not damage caused to fences, gates, hedges,
swimming pools, patios, terraces and loss or damage caused by frost or
rising groundwater levels;
c Escape of water or oil from any fixed water or heating installation or from
any domestic appliance but not damage caused by corrosion or rusting,
sulphate reacting with any materials from which the property is built, the
replacement cost of any part of the fixed water or fixed heating systems
not damaged by freezing water and damage resulting in subsidence or
heave (of the site on which your property stands) or landslip;
d Riot, civil commotion, strikes, labour or political disturbances;
e Theft, attempted theft, vandalism or malicious acts but not if your
property is let or lent unless force and violence is used to get into or out
of your property;
f Subsidence, ground heave or landslip of the site on which your property
stands, subject to the excess shown in the Schedule, but not:
i Damage caused by new structures bedding down or settlement of
newly made up ground;
ii Damage caused by defective design, defective materials or faulty
workmanship;
iii Damage caused by demolition or structural alterations or repairs at
your property;
iv Damage caused by the coast or a river bank being worn away;
v Damage to patios, drives, terraces, footpaths, tennis courts,
swimming pools, walls, fences, gates, hedges, car ports or domestic
fixed fuel oil tanks unless your property is damaged by the same
cause and at the same time
vi Damage to solid floors or damage caused because solid floors have
moved, unless the foundations of the outside walls of your property
are damaged by the same cause and at the same time;
vii Loss or damage covered by any compensation provided by
legislation;
viii Loss or damage caused by chemicals reacting with any materials
your property is built from;
g Falling trees or branches but not loss or damage to fences, hedges or
gates or caused by trees being cut down or cut back by any member of
your Household;
h Falling aerials or satellite receiving equipment, their fittings or masts;
i Impact by flying objects, vehicles, trains, animals or aircraft or anything
dropped from them hitting your property but not damage caused by pets,
insects or vermin.
Sub Section ii: Extra Cover
In addition to the standard cover described in Sub Section i: of this Section 1
(Buildings Cover) of the policy, we will also pay for:
a Accidental damage to drains, pipes, cables and underground tanks
used to provide services to or from your property which your Household
is legally responsible for subject to the excess shown in the schedule but
not loss or damage caused by subsidence, ground heave or landslip of
the site on which your property stands or damage to pitch fibre drains;
b Accidental breakage of glass, ceramic hobs if fitted, sanitary ware and
solar heating panels fixed to and forming part of your property but not
during removal or installation;
c Damage caused by freezing to any internal domestic plumbing
installations but not loss or damage due to rusting or corrosion to
swimming pools or their filtration systems;
d Accidental damage to the buildings of your property but not:
i Loss or damage that is specifically excluded in Sub Section i: of this
Section 1 (Buildings Cover) of the policy or Sub Section ii: of this
Section 1 (Buildings Cover);
ii Loss or damage caused by animals;
iii Costs of maintenance or normal decoration;
iv Loss or damage due to normal settling, cracking, shrinkage or
expansion of the buildings or any part of the site on which they
stand, collapse resulting from errors in design, errors in processing,
faulty workmanship, faulty materials or inherent defect in structure or
design, coastal or river erosion or settlement of made up ground;
v Loss or damage caused by damp, condensation, mildew, fading,
frost, rust, corrosion, atmospheric conditions or act of light;
vi Loss or damage while your property is lent, let or sub-let;
vii Loss or damage caused by sulphate reacting with any materials from
which your property is built;
viii Loss or damage caused by water entering your Property other than
by storm or flood;
ix Loss or damage caused by demolition, alteration or repair to the
structure of the property.
e Cover during sale. If you sell your property and the purchaser fails to
arrange insurance for the buildings, standard cover under Sub Section i:
of this Section 1 (Buildings Cover) of the policy will continue between the
date you exchange contracts and the date you complete the sale,
providing the purchaser completes the purchase. We reserve the right to
settle and claim for loss or damage occurring during this period direct
with the purchaser.
f Short-term accommodation costs and rent If your property cannot be
lived in because of any damage insured under Sub Section i: of this
Section 1 where applicable sub section ii (Extra cover) of this section 1
(Buildings cover) of the policy we will pay up to £15,000 for:
i The reasonable cost of similar short-term accommodation for your
Household;
ii The rent you would have received but have lost including up to two
years' ground rent.
but not the cost of alternative accommodation for anyone who is not a
member of your Household or any costs arising from damage by any
cover listed elsewhere in the Buildings section and which is specifically
excluded under that cover.
Settlement of claims under Buildings Sub Sections i & ii
We will pay up to £400000 for repair or reconstruction for damage caused by
Sub Section i: (Standard cover) and where applicable Sub Section ii: (Extra
cover) of this Section 1 (Buildings cover) of the policy subject to the following
restrictions:
a If the buildings have not been maintained in a good state of repair we will
deduct an amount for wear and tear from any settlement for repair or
reconstruction;
b If damaged parts of the building are no longer readily available in their
original form we will pay for their replacement with fully functional
replacements of similar quality which are readily available;
c If the buildings are not repaired our payment will be limited to the lesser
of:
i The reduction in market value of the buildings caused by the insured
damage; or
ii The cost of repairs had the repairs been done straight away.
d We will pay any costs required to meet any regulations or conditions, but
not:
i Costs associated with any part of the buildings which has not
required repair or replacement as a result of the insured damage;
ii Costs to comply with regulations or conditions which you had been
notified of before the damage to the buildings took place.
e We will pay any professional fees and costs of demolition and clearance
that are required as a direct result of the insured damage but not costs
incurred in the preparation of any claim.
Section 2 - Buildings Liability
Your legal responsibility to others as a property owner
We will pay up to £2000000 except where you are responsible as an
employer of domestic employees in which case the limit is £5000000 with
regards XXXXX XXXXX legal responsibility to others as a property owner for:
a Which you are legally responsible as the owner of your property to pay to
others in respect of damages or costs as the result of:
i Accidental death, disease, illness, or accidental physical injury to
anyone other than members of your Household;
ii Accidental damage to physical property.
b Which you are legally responsible to pay to others because of having
owned and lived in any home in the past and which arises because of
Section 3 of the Defective Premises Act 1972 or Section 5 of the
Defective Premises (Northern Ireland) Order 1975. We will only pay if at
the time of the event you no longer have a legal title or any interest in
that property, and there is no other insurance which covers your legal
responsibility.
If this policy is cancelled when you sell your property, you will be insured
for up to 7 years under the terms of paragraph (b) above as long as you
do not have this cover under another policy.
We will not pay under this section of your policy for liability arising from:
i The ownership or occupation of land or buildings other than your
property (except as provided under paragraph (b) above);
ii Any responsibility resulting from any of your Household owning or
using lifts (other than stair lifts), any caravan, trailer, aircraft
(including gliders and hang-gliders), trains, hovercraft, water craft
(unless hand propelled), wetbike or any motorised vehicle (other
than garden machinery, pedestrian-controlled vehicles used in or
about your property and children's play vehicles incapable of speeds
exceeding 10mph) whether licenced for road use or not;
iii Property owned by or for which you or your Household are legally
responsible for any claim or series of claims arising from one event
or one source or original cause occuring during the period of
insurance;
iv Any legal responsibility which results from the employment, business
or profession of any member of the Household.
Section 3 - Contents Cover
Sub Section i: Standard Cover
We will pay for the loss of or damage to the contents while in your property
caused by:
a Fire, smoke, lightning, explosion, thunderbolt, earthquake, storm or flood
but not loss or damage caused by frost or rising groundwater levels;
b Escape of water or oil from any fixed water or heating installation or from
any domestic appliance, but not damage to the appliance or system
which the water or oil escapes from;
c Riot, civil commotion, strikes, labour or political disturbances;
d Vandalism or malicious acts;
e Theft or attempted theft but not:
i more than £2000 from any outbuilding;
ii if your property is let or lent unless force and violence is used to get
into or out of your property;
iii theft by deception, unless deception is used only as a way of getting
into your home;
iv more than £350 for pedal cycles;
f Subsidence, ground heave or landslip of the site on which your property
stands but not:
i Loss or damage caused by new structures bedding down or
settlement of newly made up ground;
ii Loss or damage caused by defective design, defective materials or
faulty workmanship;
iii Loss or damage caused by demolition or structural alterations or
repairs at your property;
iv Loss or damage caused by the coast or a river bank being worn
away;
v Loss or damage caused because solid floors have moved, unless
the foundations of the outside walls of your property are damaged by
the same cause and at the same time;
vi Loss or damage caused by chemicals reacting with any materials
your property is built from;
vii Loss or damage covered by any compensation provided by
legislation.
g Falling trees or branches but not loss or damage to fences, hedges or
gates or caused by trees being cut down or cut back by any member of
your Household;
h Falling aerials or satellite receiving equipment, their fittings or masts;
i Impact by flying objects, vehicles, trains, animals or aircraft or anything
dropped from them or hitting your property but not damage caused by
pets, insects or vermin.
Sub Section ii: Extra Cover
In addition to the standard cover described in Sub Section i: (Standard
Cover) of this Section 3 (Contents Cover), we will also pay for:
a Contents in the open. The loss of or damage to the contents as a result
of any cause detailed in Sub Section i: (Standard Cover) of Section 3
(Contents Cover) while in the open and within the boundaries of your
property and its land but not:
i Loss or damage caused by storm, flood or frost;
ii More than £1000 in respect of any one incident;
iii More than £250 for any single item other than pedal cycles up to
£350 each;
iv Pedal cycles unless securely locked to an appropriate fixed point.
b Cover outside the Home. The loss of or damage to the contents while
temporarily removed from your property to other premises within the EU
against all of the causes listed in Sub Section i: (Standard Cover) of this
Section 3 (Contents Cover) but not:
i Loss or damage caused by theft or attempted theft unless force and
violence is used to get into or out of the building;
ii Loss or damage caused by storm, flood or frost to contents not in a
building;
iii Loss or damage whilst the contents are in storage;
iv Loss or damage to contents in static caravans;
v Loss or damage while removed for sale or exhibition;
vi Pedal cycles;
vii Money.
The most we will pay for one incident is £10,000.
The most we will pay for loss or damage to the contents belonging to any
member of your Household while they are living away at university or
college is £1000.
c Contents when you move home.
i The loss of or damage to the contents in Your existing residence for
the period between the exchange of contracts and completion of the
purchase of your new permanent residence;
ii The loss of or damage to the contents while they are being moved by
professional removal contractors to your new permanent residence
within the United Kingdom, including temporary storage of up to
three days in an insured storage facility and while being kept on a
removal vehicle overnight against loss or damage directly caused by
fire, lightning, explosion or collision or overturning of the conveying
vehicle but not:
i Loss or damage to china, glass, earthenware or other items of a
brittle nature unless packed by professional packers;
ii Loss of money;
iii Denting, bruising or scratching of furniture and the like.
d Guest's property. Loss of or damage as a result of any cause detailed
in Sub Section i: (Standard Cover) of this Section 3 (Contents Cover) to
personal possessions which are not otherwise insured belonging to any
guest staying in your property with the permission of any member of your
Household up to an amount of £500;
e Locks and Keys. The replacement of keys to your property which are
lost or stolen and the replacement or repair of locks for the outside
doors, safes or alarms which are damaged accidentally or in the course
of theft or attempted theft up to an amount of £500 per incident;
f Alternative accommodation. The cost of comparable accommodation
for a period for which we agree that your property cannot be lived in as a
result of any loss or damage insured under Sub Section i: (Standard
Cover) or where applicable Sub Section ii (Extra Cover) of this Section 3
(Contents cover) up to a maximum of £10,000 including any rent which
you are legally responsible to pay as a tenant but not:
i Costs relating to a period when your property could be lived in, either
before or after the event;
ii Costs you agreed to pay without our written permission;
iii The cost of alternative accommodation for anyone who is not a
member of your Household;
iv Any costs arising from damage by any cover listed elsewhere in the
Contents section and which is specifically excluded under that cover.
g Oil and metered water. The loss of metered water or of oil from the
domestic heating installation as a result of accidental damage or of any
cause listed in Sub Section i: (Standard Cover) of this Section 3
(Contents Cover) including any additional metered water charges
incurred by you up to an amount of £2000 per incident;
h Freezer contents. The deterioration of food in a freezer resulting from
the failure of a freezer at your property to maintain the correct
temperature for any reason other than deliberate neglect or deliberate
cuts or current reductions by the supplying authority including the
accidental escape of refrigerant or refrigerant fumes up to an amount of
£500 per incident;
i Money. Theft of money belonging to you or your Household from your
property if force and violence is used to get into or out of your property
up to an amount of £350 per incident but not theft from garages or out
buildings, money held for business or professional purposes, and losses
not reported to the police within 24 hours of the discovery of the loss;
j Stolen credit cards. The amount which you or any member of your
Household has to pay because domestic credit or other payment card(s)
have been taken from your property if force and violence is used to get
into or out of your property and used without the permission of a member
of your Household up to an amount of £500, but not:
i Misuse of the credit card(s) by any member of your Household;
ii Loss which results from the failure of the cardholder to abide by the
rules of the issuing organisation;
iii Losses resulting from the loss of cards not reported to the issuing
organisation and police within 24 hours of the discovery of their loss;
iv Losses after the issuing organisation has been notified.
c Home entertainment equipment. Accidental damage to radios,
television sets, video cassette recorders, DVD players, recording and
audio equipment, computers and their associated equipment such as
television games consoles, monitors and printers in your property but not
damage to recordings, software or the recording or delivery media used
for recordings or software or articles designed to be portable, including
portable computers;
d Satellite equipment. Accidental loss or damage to satellite-receiving
equipment which is permanently fixed to the outside of your property;
e Mirrors and Glass. Accidental breakage of mirrors, plate glass tops to
furniture, ceramic hobs and fixed glass forming part of any furniture,
oven, stove or hob in your property but not during removal or installation;
f Title Deeds and Personal Documents. The cost of preparing new title
deeds or other personal documents for your property following their loss
or damage by any cause listed in Sub Section i: (Standard Cover) of this
Section 3 (Contents Cover), while the deeds or personal documents are
in your property or lodged with your bank or your solicitor for safe
keeping up to an amount of £250 per incident.
Additional cover included within your policy
g Wedding adjustment. For a period beginning one month before and
ending one month after the wedding day of any member of your
Household, the sum insured will be increased by £5,000. For the same
period we will also extend cover for wedding gifts either in your property
or in the new property of the bride and groom and in transit between any
of these locations;
h Seasonal adjustments. To allow for the value of Christmas presents, for
the month of December the sum insured will be increased by £5,000;
i Legal responsibility as a tenant. We will pay up to £7,500 for which
you are legally responsible for as a tenant of your property to pay others
in respect of loss or damage to the buildings or your landlords fixtures
and fittings by any cause a) to j) listed in Contents sub section i:
Standard Cover.
We will not pay for:
i Any wilful or malicious acts by any member of your Household;
ii Loss or damage during removal or installation;
iii Loss or damage while the property is unfurnished or unoccupied;
iv Loss or damage caused by any person legally in the property.
j Accidental Damage (extension only applies where shown in the
schedule)
We will pay for the accidental damage to the contents of your property
while in your Home for which this cover is not specifically included
elsewhere in this policy or in a more specific insurance policy, but not:
i Damage to clothing, food, contact or corneal lenses, sports
equipment, money or pedal cycles;
ii Damage caused by anyone other than a tenant staying in your
property with your permission;
iii Damage caused by domestic animals;
iv Damage that is specifically excluded in Contents Sub Section i:
(Standard Cover) or Contents Sub Section ii: (Extra Cover);
v Loss or damage caused by damp, condensation, mildew, fading,
frost, rust, corrosion, atmospheric conditions or act of light;
vi Loss or damage caused by sulphate reacting with any materials from
which your property is built;
vii Loss or damage caused by water entering your property other than
by storm or flood;
viii Loss or damage caused by demolition, alteration or repair to the
structure of the property;
k Fatal Injury. We will pay for £10,000 for the fatal injury of you or any
member of your family aged over 16 years of age and £5,000 for any
member of your family under 16 years of age happening at the address
shown on the Policy Schedule caused by outward and visible violence by
burglars or by fire provided that death ensues within 12 months of such
injury.
Section 4 - Contents Liability
Sub section i: Personal legal responsibility to others
We will pay damages and costs (subject to the restrictions below) which you
or any member of your Household are legally responsible as occupants of
your property, as private citizens or as employers of domestic employees to
pay to others as a result of:
a Accidental death, disease, illness or injury to anyone other than
members of your Household;
b Accidental damage to material property not belonging to you or your
Household or for which you or your Household are responsible;
That arise from any claim or series of claims arising from one event or
one source or original cause occurring during the period of insurance.
The most we will pay in relation to a single incident is £2000000 except
where any member of your Household is responsible as an employer of
domestic employees in which case the limit is £5000000.
We will not pay under this Section of your policy:
a If the legal responsibility results from:
i The employment, business or profession of any member of your
Household;
ii Any responsibility resulting from any of your Household owning or
using lifts (other than stair lifts), any caravan, trailer, aircraft
(including gliders and hang-gliders), trains, hovercraft, water craft
(unless hand-propelled), wetbike or any motorised vehicle (other
than garden machinery, pedestrian-controlled vehicles used in or
about your property and children's play vehicles incapable of speeds
exceeding 10mph) whether licenced for road use or not;
iii The ownership of land not forming part of your property or the site on
which it stands;
iv The use of horses for racing or steeple chasing;
v The escape of animals from land other than the land making up the
site on which your property stands;
vi The ownership, possession or use of firearms, other than sporting
guns;
vii Any action brought against any member of your Household in any
court outside the EU.
The legal responsibility attaches to any member of your Household as an
employer of any person in connection with any business or profession
other than domestic employees;
If legal responsibility to domestic employees of your Household would
otherwise be covered by a compulsory insurance policy or security
required by any road traffic law;
If the legal responsibility arises directly or indirectly from any member of
your Household passing on or being treated for any disease or virus;
For injury, death, disease, illness or damage caused by any dog which
any member of your Household owns or is responsible for if the dog is
described in Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 or Article 3 of
the Dangerous Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1991.
Sub Section ii: Unrecovered damages and costs
We will pay up to £1000000 in respect of damages and taxed costs awarded
to your Household by any court in the United Kingdom, Isle of Man or the
Channel Islands if Sub Section i: (Personal legal responsibility to others) of
this Section 4 (Contents Liability) would have insured you had the award
been made against you and payment has not been received within three
months after the date of the award but not:
a If an appeal against a judgement is pending in whole or in part;
b If the incident giving rise to the claim occurs outside any period of
insurance;
c Any award resulting from any wilful or malicious act.
If you die, this cover is transferred to your legal personal representative
provided that the representative follows the terms and conditions of the
policy as far as they possibly can.
Section 5 - Cover outside the Home
We will pay for:
a Cover outside the Home. Loss of or damage to personal possessions
in the EU (and while travelling anywhere else in the world for a period not
exceeding 60 days in any one period of insurance) and up to an amount
of £2000 but not:
i Personal possessions that are normally kept away from your
property in any premises owned, leased, or rented by any member of
your Household;
ii If the personal possessions have been confiscated by customs or
any other official body;
iii More than £1500 for any one item unless otherwise specified within
Section 5 Cover outside the Home on the Policy Schedule;
iv As a result of theft or attempted theft from an unattended motor
vehicle unless the personal possessions are concealed in a glove
compartment, boot or luggage compartment, and where all doors,
windows and boot or hatchback are closed and securely locked
where we will pay up to an amount of £1000;
v Damage caused by pets.
a Money. Loss of money up to an amount of £350 in the EU (or while
travelling anywhere else in the world for a period not exceeding 60 days
in any one period of insurance) but not losses resulting from loss of value
or loss due to incorrect receipts, payments or accounting;
b Credit cards. The amount which you or any member of your Household
has to pay because domestic credit or other similar payment card(s)
have been taken and used without the permission of a member of your
Household up to an amount of £500 in the EU (or while travelling
anywhere else in the world for a period not exceeding 60 days in any one
period of insurance) but not:
i Misuse of such card(s) by any member of your Household;
ii Loss which results from the failure of the cardholder to abide by the
rules of the issuing organisation;
iii Losses resulting from the loss of cards not reported to the issuing
organisation and police within 24 hours of the discovery of their loss;
iv Losses after the issuing organisation has been notified;
c Pedal Cycles. The loss or damage to pedal cycles belonging to your
Household, but not:
i Loss or damage which happens while the pedal cycle is being used
for racing;
ii Loss or theft while the pedal cycle is left outside unattended and is
not securely locked to an appropriate fixed point;
iii For tyres, lamps and accessories.
The most we will pay for one incident is £350, unless the cycle is
specified in the Policy Schedule. The most we will pay for loss or
damage to any pedal cycle will be the replacement cost of the pedal
cycle.
Unless otherwise specified in the Policy Schedule, we will not pay under this
Section of your policy for:
i Any action of light or atmospheric conditions;
ii Any process of maintenance;
iii Contact or corneal lenses;
iv Camping equipment;
v Sub aqua equipment;
vi Sports equipment while in use;
vii Vehicles, watercraft, aircraft or animals;
viii Damage to guns caused by rusting or bursting of barrels;
ix The theft or disappearance of jewellery from hotel or motel rooms
during the absence of any member of your Household for any
amount over £2000;
x The theft or disappearance of jewellery from your baggage unless
being carried by hand and under your personal supervision;
xi The loss or theft of any video camera or portable disc player while
removed from your property unless being carried or used in a locked
room or in a safe:
xii Pedal cycles other than those covered under d) of this Section 5
(Cover outside the Home);
xiii Money other than covered under b) of this Section 5 (Cover outside
the Home);
xiv The cost of remaking any film disc or tape or the value of any
information contained on it:
xv Loss or damage caused by chewing, scratching, tearing or fouling by
domestic pets;
xvi any losses that are not directly associated with the incident that
caused you to claim, unless expressly stated in this policy.
xvii Loss or damage caused by plants or any living creature;
xviii Loss or damage to lottery tickets or raffle tickets;
xix Stamp or Coin collections.
Settlement of claims under Section 3 Contents Cover AND Section 5
Cover outside the Home
If you make a valid claim for the loss of or damage to any articles insured
under Section 3 or Section 5 of this policy we will pay as defined in the
Policy Conditions by either paying you the replacement cost of the articles
lost or damaged, paying for the repair of the damaged articles or replacing
the lost or damaged articles with similar freely available equivalent articles
subject to the following conditions:
a We will decide whether to replace, repair or make payment, and in the
event of replacement or repair, we will choose the supplier. If we agree,
at your request, not to repair or replace an item, at our option we will
make a cash or voucher settlement equal to the cost we would have paid
for replacement or repair through our preferred suppliers;
b As clothing, pedal cycles and Household linens have a limited useful life,
payment for the loss of or damage to these articles will be reduced by an
age related factor to allow for their use prior to the loss;
c Where a single incident causes loss or damage covered under different
sections of this policy only one excess will be applied to the claim
settlement. This will be the largest of the individual excesses that would
otherwise have applied.
In the event of any underinsured loss, we will pay our fair share.
Section 6 - Family Legal Protection
Family Legal Protection is not included for your Household. This valuable
cover provides you with financial support to stand up for your legal rights and
protect you and your family. If you would like to add this cover or receive
further information please call us.
Section 7 - Emergency Home Assistance
An emergency home assistance policy is not included for your property.
Section 8 - Keycare Cover - Not Included
Exclusions Section
Cover which is specifically excluded from ALL sections of this policy
Your policy does not insure:
a Any loss, claim or expense of any kind caused directly or indirectly by:
i Ionising radiation or contamination by radioactivity from any nuclear
fuel or nuclear waste;
ii The radioactive, toxic, explosive or other hazardous properties of any
explosive nuclear assembly or any component of such assembly;
iii Any act of foreign enemy whether war be declared or not, civil war,
rebellion, insurrection, revolution or military power whether legitimate
or usurped;
iv Pressure waves caused by aircraft and other devices travelling at
sonic or supersonic speeds;
v Wear and tear and depreciation;
vi Wet or dry rot, fungus, woodworm, beetle, moth, insects or vermin;
vii Any process of cleaning, dying, renovating, altering, re-styling,
repairing or restoring;
viii Any gradually operating cause other than escape of water,
subsidence, ground heave or landslip;
ix Pollution or contamination unless it arises from a sudden incident
within the period of insurance and is entirely accidental and
unexpected;
x The failure of any equipment or any computer program to recognise
or correctly interpret any date or change of date or to continue to
function correctly beyond that date or any other losses arising from
or caused by such failure (other than to your domestic employees).
xi Loss or corruption of any item or items including computer hardware
or software or data caused by any program or software intended to
cause such loss or corruption or by the failure to keep adequate
back-up copies;
xii Loss, damage, liability, cost or expense resulting from or in
connection with any terrorism regardless of any cause or event
contributing at the same time or in any other sequence to the loss.
For the purpose of this exclusion an act of terrorism means the use,
or threatened use, of biological chemical and/or nuclear force or
contamination by any person(s) or group(s) of people whether acting
alone or on behalf of or in connection with any organisation(s) or
government(s) committed for political, religious, ideological or similar
purposes including the intention to influence any government(s)
and/or to put the public or any section of the public in fear.
b Liability arising from any agreement or contract unless that liability would
have existed otherwise;
c Loss, damage, injury, accident, or liability which did not occur during a
period of insurance;
d Costs, fees or disbursements incurred without our prior consent;
e Mechanical or electrical fault or breakdown;
f Item or items more specifically insured by another contract of insurance;
g That part of the cost of repair or replacement which leaves the property
in a better condition than it was before the loss or damage, occurred;
h Those parts or items which are parts of a matching pair set or suite
which are not damaged in an insured incident and any loss of value
which may result from the repair or replacement of a part of the set;
i Any wilful or malicious act by a person lawfully at or in the property;
j Loss or damage caused by a condition existing at the inception of this
policy;
k The Excess shown in your Schedule;
l Any reduction in the market value of your property.
Special circumstances in which certain cover will not apply
a If the loss or damage is caused by you, your Household, or anyone who
is staying in your property with or without your permission there will be
no cover for any loss or damage resulting from theft, attempted theft,
vandalism, malicious or intentional damage.
b If your property is left unoccupied for more than 45 consecutive days
then during the months of November to March inclusive all gas,
electricity and water must be switched off at the mains and the water
system drained. This is unless you leave a central heating system
working to prevent freezing in which case the temperature control must
be set to at least 14 degrees centigrade. A responsible adult must also
inspect the property at least once a week. Whilst unoccupied for more
than 45 consecutive days there will be no cover for:
i The loss of oil or water from any fixed water or heating installation or
from any domestic appliance or damage caused by such oil or water;
ii The loss of money left in your property;
iii Any loss or damage to the buildings or to contents including personal
possessions and high risk items left in your property caused by theft,
attempted theft, accidental damage, vandalism or malicious acts;
iv The unauthorised use of credit cards left in your property;
v Contamination or deterioration of food left in a freezer in your
property.
General Policy Conditions
Cancelling this insurance
If you fail to disclose a material fact your policy may be voided from the
policy start date and no prior notice will be given.
You may cancel your policy by advising us in advance of the date of
cancellation.
You can phone us on 0844(NNN) NNN-NNNN
or write to us at Fusion House, Bretton Way, Peterborough PE3 8BG.
We may cancel your policy by giving you at least 7 days notice in writing to
your last known postal address.
If there have been no claims in the current period of insurance you may be
entitled to a full refund of the premium you have paid for the remainder of the
period less any deduction as noted in the "policy payment arrangements". If
you return the policy documents within 14 days of receiving your policy
documentation, we will refund that part of the premium which relates to the
period remaining after we receive the policy documentation.
Rights which we reserve
We will be entitled to:
a Take over and conduct as we consider appropriate in your name or in
the name of any other person insured by your policy the defence and
settlement of any claim;
b Instigate proceedings at our own expense and for our own benefit but in
your name or in the name of any other person insured by your policy, to
recover any payment that we have made under your policy;
c Take ownership of any item or items once we have paid following their
loss or damage beyond repair but no item or items may be abandoned to
us;
d Deny all cover under this policy if any of the information provided by your
Household in connection with this policy or any claim is or has been
intentionally misrepresented or withheld or if your claim is in any way
dishonest or exaggerated, we will not pay any benefit under this policy.
We may also take legal action against you;
For your protection, we reserve the right to automatically renew this policy
annually. If we do not receive your instructions to cancel the policy from the
renewal date, we may, at our option, renew the insurance cover under this
policy. You will then be liable for any premiums that fall due. You may opt
out of the automatic renewal process at any time by contacting our
Customer Services helpline.
Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 - Clarification Clause
A person who is not a party to this Contract has no rights under the
Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 or any subsequent legislation to
enforce any terms of this Contract. This does not affect any right or remedy
of a third party, which exists or is available apart from that Act.
Index Linking
The sums insured and limits where shown on your schedule under Sections
1 and 3 other than the Limit of Liability shown under Section 1 and the
Single High Risk item under Section 3 are adjusted in line with the House
Rebuilding Cost Index. For your protection if the indices move downwards,
we will not reduce your sum insured or limits.
Policy Interest
You cannot transfer your interest in the policy to anyone else unless you get
our written permission.
Premium payment and proceeds
By paying us the premium required by your insurer for the period of
insurance, you authorise BISL Limited to i) collect, receive and otherwise
obtain payment of all monies payable under your policy whether by way of
claims proceeds, premium refunds or otherwise and ii) apply such monies
towards payment of the premium payable (to the extent not already paid)
and any other amounts due under any agreement for the provision of credit
to finance the payment of the premium and iii) hold your premium and any
money received from your insurer whether a refund of premium from a
change you have made or a cash settlement of a claim you have made as
an agent of your insurer.
Any balance remaining after the payment of those amounts shall be paid to
you but you will remain responsible for any shortfall.
Law
The parties to this contract of insurance are permitted to choose the law
applicable to the contract. This policy is governed by English Law and
English will be the language used.
What your Household must do to ensure your policy remains in force
a Ensure that we are supplied with true and complete information and that
all reasonable requests we make are complied with;
b Ensure that all premiums are paid as agreed and set out in the policy
payment arrangements;
c Take all reasonable care and precaution to prevent or minimise loss,
damage and accidents;
d Ensure that all external doors are locked and all accessible windows are
securely locked when the occupants have retired to bed, other than
windows in occupied rooms;
e Ensure that all external doors and accessible windows are locked and
any security systems that you said were fitted to your property or that
you agreed to have fitted to your property are activated when your
property is left unoccupied;
f Allow us or our agents free access to examine any item insured by your
policy at any reasonable time;
g Let us know within 30 days of the time that you become aware that:
i You plan to move home;
ii Anyone other than a member of your Household will be living in your
property;
iii Anyone living in your property is convicted of any criminal offence
other than road traffic act offences;
iv You or the joint policyholder change occupation;
v Anything has happened which may give rise to a claim;
vi Your property will be used for business or professional purposes;
vii Your property is not in a good state of repair;
viii Your property is subject to building, excavation or alteration work
other than normal maintenance;
ix Your property will be unoccupied for more than 45 consecutive days.
h Provide proof to our satisfaction of ownership and value of the insured
property in support of any claim.
What your Household must do when you have made a claim
a Ensure that the police are notified of any incident involving riot,
vandalism, theft or attempted theft and of any item or items lost away
from your property within 24 hours of you becoming aware of the
incident;
b Avoid admitting liability or making any offer or settlement to a third party
without our consent;
c Immediately forward to us any writ, summons or other correspondence
you receive relating to any claim unanswered.
If at the time of any incident, which results in a claim under your policy there
is any other insurance in force covering the same liability, loss or damage,
we will only pay our fair share of the claim.
Endorsements
Escape of Water Excess
We will not be liable for the first £250 in respect of any claim involving the
Escape of Water. This is in addition to any other excess shown in your policy
schedule.
Verified
