Home  Property Cost Effective House Insurance in Bath
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Cost Effective House Insurance in Bath |
Cost effective house insurance
You don`t have to have lived in Bath long to have experienced severe weather conditions - it was only in February 2009 that the River Avon rose approximately two feet in half an hour. Even tributaries such as the Cam Brook also burst its banks at Larkhall. With a past history of flooding and the probability of further floods in the future, it`s vital for those living near the Avon to have suitable home insurance in place to protect your most valuable assets, especially in a city like ours.
Why do you need home insurance protection in Bath?
The extreme weather of 2007 prompted Bath & North East Somerset Council to arrange a number of flood awareness days to help the residents of Bath prepare for the worst.
Bath has had a rough recent history with flooding. There are significant flood risks not only from the River Chew and the Somerset Frome, but also from the River Somer, Wellow Brook and Cam Brook. Various parts of the city have been subjected to adverse weather conditions in recent years. With so much of the city being located in a tree conservation area, there is also the possibility of mature trees falling in gale conditions and causing serious building damage - which can affect both your own or your neighbour's property.
The situation is made worse in the city of Bath where Georgian architecture is so prevalent. This not only increases the cost of repairs, but also the likelihood of affecting cellars. The potential for flooding in the city is much higher than in the hills around where most of the houses have lower prices but actually offer better protection from flooding. That`s why the closer you live to the city, the more protection you need.
Home insurance can be a saving grace if flooding hits. In 2007, home insurance providers paid out more than £3 billion for flood claims across the UK. Unfortunately however, as many of the areas in and around Bath appear on the Environmental Agency`s flood maps, they are considered `at risk` and premiums for home insurance can be high.
How do you find the right home insurance deal and save money?
Clearly when you live in a high risk area you shouldn't sacrifice the quality of your cover just to get a cheap deal – the trick is to get the balance right.
Residents of Bath should look for policy options such as home emergency cover. Depending on the provider this should ensure you get a prompt callout (usually within 24hrs) if something goes wrong in your home such as a burst pipe that causes flooding. Also make sure that the provider you choose has a 24hr claims line so you can get in touch as soon as a problem occurs.
Once you've thought about the level of cover you want, use a comparison website to compare home insurance policies. There are several comparison websites in the UK market, some of which will compare deals from more than 40 home insurers. This saves you the trouble of shopping around for quotes and gives you the opportunity to compare policies like-for-like with the cheapest listed first. That way you can decide if you want to opt for the cheapest deal or pay extra for more cover.
There are other ways to keep your buildings and contents insurance premiums down. Consider stocking up on sandbags and installing home flood defences. And don`t overlook other risks too – protecting your home from theft with burglar alarms, time-switch lights and by joining a Neighbourhood Watch scheme could help to drive your premiums down as long as you keep your insurer informed. |
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