We’re all too familiar with how life can throw the unexpected at you.
But home insurance can help stop a surprise event – whether it’s a break-in, a burst pipe or a fire – becoming an incredibly costly affair. Instead, it offers you peace of mind that when the unexpected happens, your home, and all your belongings inside it, remain protected.
Unlike car insurance, home insurance isn’t a legal requirement in the UK – but the majority of homeowners and renters consider it a worthy investment, as it can save time, money, and hassle when problems do occur.
However, it’s important to be clued-up on the ins and outs of both buildings and contents insurance, as a number of simple mistakes could invalidate your policy and mean your home and belongings are not fully covered.
Graham Ward-Lush from Co-op Home Insurance shares some of the biggest mistakes people make and the knock-on effect they can have…
Under-insuring yourself
For both buildings and contents cover, Graham stresses that while it may look like a cheaper option, it’s vital not to under-insure yourself.
This is especially important when it comes to putting down the value of your home. If you state your property is worth less than its actual value, you may not be fully protected when it comes to a claim.
Graham tells Country Living: “Most websites, including price comparison websites, will have a calculator for you to use based on the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, that will tell you what the actual rebuild cost of your house is currently. It can be a good idea to go with that figure and don’t think: “that sounds a little bit steep – I’ll go for a lower amount.”’
“Ultimately, if you have to make a claim for £10,000 of building damage, the insurer will look at your undervaluation and apply something that’s called an ‘average’ claim approach. So, for example, if you were 50% underinsured for the house rebuild cost, and you made a £10,000 buildings claim, your insurer may only pay £5,000 for this – as you should have been paying more money to start with, to cover the entire value of your house.”
Selecting the cheapest option
Graham adds that price comparison websites will display the cheapest insurance policies at the top. But these aren’t always the best when it comes to coverage.
He tells us: “One thing to look for is alternative accommodation cover, which some insurers don’t include and some have low limits of cover for.
“It doesn’t actually take much for your house to be uninhabitable. For example, if there was a flood or a small fire and there was damage in the house, or if you went away and your home was broken into and multiple doors or windows were smashed, it’s not always suitable to be staying in it.”
Some insurance policies don’t include alternative accommodation as an option in their coverage, which could mean you end up paying significantly more if you need to find somewhere else to temporarily live.
Graham also adds that Co-op Home Insurance offers cover like ‘Trace and Access’ – providing a service that identifies what’s causing a water leak in your home.
Trying to find the cause of this issue, as well as the rebuild afterwards, can be an expensive job – especially if it involves ripping up floors, tearing through walls, or digging into patios. Some insurers include this as part of their cover, so you won’t have to fork out for it – but this may not be included in all insurance policies.
Not sharing all the details
Another big mistake people make is not being completely honest on their application. While this might sound obvious, Graham explains sometimes it’s as simple as leaving out important information.
He continues: “There are examples where people have their claim repudiated because they withheld something that the insurer needed to know when they set the policy up.
“If you fail to tell a new insurer about a claim you have made previously (usually within the last 5 years) and then make a claim for a similar reason (eg a break in to your home) the insurer could refuse to cover the claim altogether.”
Not considering the limits to contents insurance
Insurers often have a single item limit when it comes to contents cover, which means personal possessions are only protected up to a certain value e.g. £1,500.
As a result, some possessions may need to be insured on a separate ‘personal possessions’ policy, to guarantee they’re protected. Technology, artwork and jewellery often fall into this category.
It’s also worth checking if you’re covered for theft and loss of belongings when they’re outside the home. Don’t assume you are, as this might not be the case.
Being unaware of unoccupied caveats
If your house is unoccupied for a long period of time, e.g. more than 60 days, there will be some limits on what will be paid out if you claim, explains Graham.
It’s always best practice to check what the rules are around unoccupied properties – to avoid your home not being covered from damage or break-ins when you’re absent.
Assuming it covers everything
There are some things home insurance policies do not cover – for example, a burglary claim if an entry door has been left unlocked
Coverage for outdoor and garden items is another area that people can fall short on. Graham adds: “For example, some insurers will cover contents in the garden shed, even if it’s unlocked. Others exclude it or might have limitations on it. Always check your policy cover before buying.”
More information on Co-op Home Insurance can be found here.
14 hallway ideas to create the perfect entrance
Decorative statements
A unique display of accessories and natural finds adds interest to a functional area. A slim table or storage unit allows welcoming decorative touches to be introduced, such as a vase of flowers, or a dish to hold keys. Faux antlers or animal skulls can be really handy in awkward spaces – these tend to do better on high ceilings – to give them space to extend dramatically into the room.
Read more: Alternatives to art: clever and creative ways to fill empty walls
Storage
Most hallways are narrow, so go for wall-mounted storage or furnishings – cupboards, hooks and shelves that will keep the floor clear. Look out for benches that incorporate storage, especially those with easily accessible drawers or baskets beneath.
Stone, terracotta and ceramic tiles are all ideal and their hard surfaces can be warmed with rugs and runners. Encaustic patterned tiles like these are practical and have a semi-matt finish for a softer appearance.
Pictured: Country Living Starry Skies Peony Blush Tile at Homebase
English garden
Plants make for a wonderful welcome and a nice transition from the outdoors in. “The plants you choose for your hallway depends upon the amount of light it receives,” says Angela Slater, Gardening Expert at Hayes Garden World. “For a dark hallway, ferns are an excellent choice as they come in a variety of forms, so you can arrange several together.”
In lieu of plants, a botanical wallpaper and slick of green around your doorframe creates ample connection between the indoors and a garden beyond.
Pictured: Broadwick Street Wallpaper and Jewel Beetle paint, both at Little Greene
Curtains
In a narrow hallway, curtains can replace cupboard or connecting doors that open inwards. They have a quaint and slightly rustic feel, especially when fashioned from leftover fabric. As you can see here, it’s quite attractive if you let the fabric pool on the floor, so you don’t have to be overly concerned with your measurements.
Window seat
Recessed windows can be an asset in a hallway. A fitted bench with an upholstered top and hidden storage is infinitely practical, although a freestanding ottoman can work just as well. Add some cushions and throws to make it a bit more inviting, but forgo curtains that could get creased.
Pictured: Upholstery and spotty cushions both at Cathy Nordstrom
Wall hanging
XL tapestries or quilts are considerably less expensive than large artwork, and as you can see here, can simply be fixed to a wall in a bit of a charming DIY way for a dose of uplifting colour as you arrive home.
Deep green
For the bold decorator, you can get away with your most intense colours in a hallway as it’s a transitional space that you only ever pass through. A rich shade such as an olive green or petrol blue has a wonderful enveloping effect, and equally makes adjacent rooms appear brighter and more spacious.
Mirrors
Whilst artwork has wonderful impact in terms of colour and pattern, mirrors make all the difference to how bright and expansive your home feels – diffusing light into dark corners and creating the illusion of space when strategically placed to reflect windows and doorways.
Read more: 6 clever ways to use mirrors to make your home feel bigger and brighter
Playful features
Bench seating
A bench or settle works well as a focal point and a place to sit and take off muddy boots. A hallway can be a good place for certain types of furniture if space permits. You could use a piece that has a decorative rather than functional role – perhaps an antique chair that is no longer robust enough for regular use, or an heirloom piece that doesn’t quite sit with other possessions.
Read more: How to decorate your home with vintage and antique finds
Wall art
Wall panelling
Hallways are very high traffic and have to withstand a lot of wear. Knocks and scrapes are inevitable, so consider panelling the walls to dado height and finishing in a gloss or an oil-based, wipeable eggshell. Painting wooden stairs, bannisters and handrails with floor paint is both practical and decorative, doubly so if you combine with a central runner in a hardwearing sisal.
Pictured: Blanche Wallpaper at Cathy Nordstrom
Antiques
Clean white walls and grey flagstone floors have the potential to look a little cold and uninviting, but what’s mitigating that here is the use of antiques. Adding something weathered, time-worn and characterful takes the edge off cold spaces much in the way that warm colours do.
Read more: 22 of the best online stores for vintage and antique furniture
Runners
Hard-wearing materials underfoot are essential for halls and stairs. Choose flooring that can withstand scrapes, scuffs and dirt or, alternatively, a carpet that is tightly woven, robust and in a mid tone. A good-quality wool carpet or runner up the stairs will help with the acoustics, as it absorbs sound, and can add colour and pattern.
Pictured: Country Living Arniston Navy Runner at Carpetright
Lizzie is the Daily Editor at Country Living, where you’ll find her writing about unique property market finds and dreamy UK staycation spots. Her specialisms include interiors, property, wildlife, travel, slow living and more. Previously, she’s written for Metro, Evening Standard, Ideal Home, Woman & Home and various other home and lifestyle titles. Lizzie studied English Literature at University of Liverpool, where she also was a writer and editor for her uni paper.
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