Many mistakes arise because someone believes they have the right insurance, until damage occurs. Is contents included? Is earthquake covered? What if a leak damages the flat below? Why is there a deductible?
Home insurance may cover the building, contents, fire, water damage, natural events, theft, liability and temporary accommodation, and earthquake where selected. These are not automatically included in every programme. Some are basic; others need a separate choice and additional premium.
Start with your own home in the hub.
At a glance
| Cover | What it means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Building | Walls, floors, frames and permanent installations | Correct reconstruction value |
| Contents | Furniture, appliances, clothes and personal belongings | Separate selection, sum insured and terms |
| Fire, lightning, explosion | Damage from specified fire risks | The precise events included |
| Natural events | Flood, storm, snow or hail where provided | Limits, deductibles and exclusions |
| Water damage | Burst pipes and leaks | Damage, tracing and repair costs are different |
| Earthquake | Damage from earthquake where selected | Eligibility and deductible |
| Theft and burglary | Stolen contents or damage caused by intruders | Security and evidence requirements |
| Liability | Damage to third parties, such as neighbours | Insured persons, circumstances and limit |
| Short circuit without fire | Electrical damage without a fire | Not automatically part of fire cover |
| Temporary accommodation | Costs if the home becomes uninhabitable after covered damage | Amount and duration limits |
| Loss of rent | Lost income while a rented home is unusable | Covered cause, limits and duration |
This table gives questions to ask. It does not replace the policy terms.
Building and contents are different
Building cover concerns the property and permanently attached elements. If the actual reconstruction cost is €180,000 but the building is insured for €100,000, a major claim can leave a serious gap. Review the sum insured.
Contents concerns furniture, appliances, clothes, equipment and personal items. Insuring the building alone does not automatically insure these. Contents may have its own amount and terms. Estimate your contents room by room.
Fire and electrical damage
Fire programmes may include lightning, smoke, explosion, fire from a short circuit, damage during extinguishing, aircraft impact or forest fire. Check the particular programme.
Fire caused by a short circuit is different from electrical damage without a fire. Do not treat the two as identical.
Water and natural events
Water may damage walls, floors, furniture, installations, communal spaces or neighbouring flats. The cost of finding a broken pipe, repairing it and restoring the resulting damage are different items. Check each rather than assuming one promise covers all three.
Flood, storm, hail and other natural-event cover can have conditions, exclusions and deductibles. A named cover must still apply to the actual event and your own property.
Earthquake needs its own review
Do not assume earthquake is included. Check acceptance of the building, the insured items, sum insured, deductible in euros and special terms. Read the earthquake guide.
Theft, high-value items and liability
Theft cover commonly has conditions. Jewellery, artworks or collections may have separate declarations, valuations or sublimits. If a leak from your home damages someone else's property, liability cover is a different question from restoring your own home.
Limits, deductibles and exclusions
The sum insured is not necessarily the maximum for every individual cover. Sublimits and deductibles may apply. Maintenance problems, gradual deterioration or other excluded circumstances must be checked in the actual terms.
Before choosing, confirm what is insured, against which events, for what amount, with which deductible and which exclusions. Compare policies using the decision guide.