Frequently Asked Questions

Is my Para pool covered by house or contents insurance?

Your Para pool is covered by your house insurance if it is built into property (ie. built into a deck). Otherwise it is covered under your contents insurance.

Is my driveway covered by a house insurance policy?

Your driveway is covered by your house insurance policy if it is built of permanent materials such as concrete or paving stones. Shingle or metal driveways are generally excluded.

Most damage to driveways occurs over time, as a result of wear and tear, and is not covered by insurance.

There's a leaking pipe behind the shower cabinet. Will my insurance company cover the cost if I have to damage the cabinet to get at the leak?

No.

Are carpets included under a house policy?

Carpets are only included if they are glued to the floor.

What is the cover for the land around my house?

As far as the boundary of your legal title. There are restrictions for EQC Cover which only includes:

The land under your home
Eight metres from the home
The main driveway up to 60 metres from your home.

Contents Insurance

Do I have to provide documentary proof of ownership when claiming for contents items?

Yes, in cases where it can be reasonably expected such as recent or major purchases. Most insurance companies insist on proof of ownership (ie. warranty or guarantee) which can also help with the description of the item, its age and value. Formal valuations are also important for jewellery, antiques and so on.

If part of a lounge suite is damaged and the covering fabric is no longer available, does my insurance company pay to recover the whole suite or just the damaged piece?

Most insurance companies pay only for the damaged item. If the fabric is unavailable, most insurance companies will contribute towards the cost of recovering the suite.

I need to claim under both my house and contents policies for one event. Does the excess under both policies or just one apply?

Both excesses can apply. However you will need to check this with your insurance company.

What's the definition of a home appliance?

Check the definition in your policy. This generally includes items such as the refrigerator, electric drill, and kitchen whiz.

Is a personal computer (PC) a home appliance?

Usually it is. However it does depend on what the computer is used for. If it is used for business purposes it is not a home appliance. A lap top is not a home appliance because it is designed to be portable and is often removed from your home.

If I break a roof tile while steam cleaning my roof and water gets into my house, is it a claim? Or can my insurance company refuse on the basis of exclusion for the cleaning/ repairing/ restoring?

This claim would probably be accepted. However it would only be for the resulting damage and not the broken tile itself. The exclusion for cleaning/repairing/restoring means coverage would not be provided for situations such as burning a hole in your shirt while ironing it, or your curtains being shrunk during dry-cleaning.

Are my hired appliances covered under my contents policy?

Yes.

Are video cameras personal effects or household goods?

Video cameras are personal effects because they are worn or carried.

Is a bicycle covered for replacement value or indemnity value?

Most insurance companies cover bicycles for indemnity value only. Check your policy.

If I lose a piece of jewellery, how is the claim settled?

This depends on your policy. If a piece of jewellery is lost or stolen the amount you receive from the insurance company is based on the indemnity or replacement value of the item.

Most jewellery depreciates over time and claims are usually settled on this basis. This means that the settlement reflects the present day value of the item, which takes into account age, wear and tear, and obsolescence.

To assist acceptance of your claim the Insurance Council recommends that valuations be obtained for valuable or sentimental pieces of jewellery and photographs taken.

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