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MAKE SURE YOU ARE COVERED THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Over the holiday period, the majority of us are guilty of eating too much, drinking too much and spending too much. One thing we are also guilty of is not protecting our homes, health, cars and businesses as we focus on our families, festivities and having fun.
Before we kick up our heels, it is prudent to be mindful of carefully preparing for the holiday season so that you can enjoy it to the full.
Here are 10 easy and effective ways to make sure you’re covered this year.
- The number of burglaries increases dramatically during the holiday season, so make sure your home and contents policy adequately covers you in the event of a break-in.
- List your possessions in detail with serial numbers, model numbers and also think about having them coded to prove ownership.
- Take photographs of your treasured possessions, jewellery and artwork.
- Reassess your level of cover after the holiday period in case you need to include any new gifts received.
- Check your home and contents policy to see whether you are covered if you have friends housesitting while you are away or if you are away from home for a longer period than anticipated.
- An overflowing mailbox with unread newspapers and rubbish bins left out on the street screams ‘out of town’. Ask a friend or neighbour to manage both for you, or consider stopping your mail over this period.
- Make sure you are covered with adequate travel and car insurance.
- Have your car serviced before you hit the road.
- If you have a business, make sure you are covered for unexpected events and by considering business interruption insurance to cover loss of profit while your business is not able to operate.
- Be mindful of the threat of bushfires and other natural disaster occurrences that can happen during the summer period. Make sure your bushfire plan is prepared ahead of time.
The old adage, “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail” comes into play as we approach the Christmas break. Planning is key when it comes to protecting your home, car, business, health and most importantly your family with the right level of insurance cover this holiday season.
THE BENEFITS OF USING A BROKER
- Insurance brokers are objective and qualified insurance experts, with a depth of experience, understanding and training that you just cannot match if you’re buying insurance directly online yourself.
- Brokers partner with their clients, providing expert advice and advocacy as well as looking after the insurance details, including claims. This enables you to focus on your business.
- Insurance brokers understand and assess your risk, using their expertise to review all options and tailor cover to match your risk cost-effectively.
- Brokers deliver personalised service because they take the time to understand your business and build long-term relationships.
- Brokers are objective specialists and can access insurance policies from a wide range of underwriters and insurance agents, both in Australia and overseas.
- Businesses face a broad and expanding range of risks, including emerging areas such as cybercrime. Insurance brokers are at the forefront of this rapidly evolving insurance environment and are developing and tailoring covers to respond to these changes.
- Brokers are firmly on their clients’ side and act as advocates at all times, including during the time of claim. This can severely reduce your stress levels at times of crisis.
- Insurance brokers need to undergo accreditation. They need to have had a minimum level of training and undergo regular training each year to keep their skills up-to-date.
SHOULD I BUY MY INSURANCE ONLINE?
Hopping online from the convenience of our laptops, tablets and phones has made life immeasurably more straightforward when we need to get things done no matter where we are. Heck, if you're that inclined, you could even buy your insurance online while you're lounging by the pool-side at a luxurious getaway retreat.
But with great power comes great responsibility. Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should. Indeed, when it comes to buying insurance — whether for yourself, your possessions or your business — a quick purchase could backfire spectacularly in the event of a claim if you find you're not really covered for what you thought you were.
"If we're being honest, most of us would admit that we don't fully understand the risks we face at home and in business."
Buying insurance should be a three-step process at least. And here's how we recommend going about it:
- UNDERSTAND YOUR RISKS
Whether at home or in business, to properly be insured you need to be aware of the unique risks you face. It's easy to buy one-size-fits-all policies, but will they really offer the protection you need in the event of a claim? Don't count on it. - WHAT INSURANCE WILL BEST PROTECT ME FROM THESE RISKS?
Once you know your risks, you need to make sure any insurance you purchase to offset them actually covers you against them. Quick example: if your home is near the bush, don't buy policies that won't respond if a nearby tree is blown onto your house in a storm. - CONSIDER THE PRICE
Only when you're confident that the insurance you're looking for will really cover your needs should you jump in and buy. That's when price becomes a factor, but only a factor. If you make your insurance purchases based solely on price and not about risk, you run the risk of not being properly covered. Like most things in life, things are cheap for a reason. Insurance can be the same.
HIRE A BROKER TO ENSURE QUALITY
If all that sounds like a lot of work when all you want is to have the right insurance, then you need a broker to help. If we're being honest, most of us would admit that we don't fully understand the risks we face at home and in business. Brokers do. A good broker is qualified to advise on insurance requirements and experienced enough to know which of the countless policies available on the market will work for you and your unique needs.
Brokers can also find the best price available in the market for these policies. To top it all off, if something does go wrong, the insurance broker is the advocate for the client and will help you through the claims process and negotiate the best settlement on your behalf so you don't have to stress.
You won’t get that from a website.
Brokers can also find the best price available in the market for these policies. To top it all off, if something does go wrong, the insurance broker is the advocate for the client and will help you through the claims process and negotiate the best settlement on your behalf so you don't have to stress.
You won’t get that from a website.
DISCLAIMER
General Advice Only.
While all care has been taken in the preparation of this material, no responsibility is accepted by the author(s) or associates for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies. The material provided in this website has been prepared to provide general information only. It is not intended to be relied upon or be a substitute for legal or other professional advice. No responsibility can be accepted by the author(s) or associates for any known or unknown consequences that may result from reliance on any information provided in this website.
Llimid Pty Ltd As Trustee For Llimid Unit Trust Trading As Ausure Encompass Insurance Brokers | ABN 66 242 412 385 Ausure Encompass Insurance Brokers is an Authorised Representative 342418 of Ausure Pty Ltd t/as Ausure Insurance Brokers ABN 94 096 971 854 AFSL 238433.
Ausure Encompass Insurance Brokers is authorised to provide advice and deal in General Insurance Products as an Authorised Representative (Number 342418) of Ausure Pty Ltd T/as Ausure Insurance Brokers.
