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What does home insurance cover? Different home insurance covers explained
It sounds simple enough but when it comes to home insurance, the specifics of what does home insurance cover is often confusing. Principally home insurance is divided into two main categories – buildings insurance and contents insurance. Both are insurances for the home and it can be easy to mix the two up when talking about them both as ‘home insurance’.
However the two are actually very different, as our experts explain. We’ll clarify the difference between the two types of home insurance cover that every household needs.
What does home insurance cover?
Image credit: Future PLC
‘Home insurance is divided into two main categories – buildings insurance and contents insurance,’ explains Sarah Applegate, Data Lead at Aviva General Insurance. While both cover homes, the two are not to be confused because they both do very different things. ‘Buildings insurance is different to home contents insurance,’ Sarah explains. ‘Buildings insurance covers the elements which make up the main structure of the home. Contents insurance is designed to cover the possessions within your home. These include things such as furniture and furnishings, clothes, TVs and tech equipment.’
Ask yourself, ‘do I need home insurance to cover my property or just my belongings?’ If you’re not the freeholder of the property, you most likely won’t need buildings insurance – contents insurance should be sufficient.
‘Most home insurance policies, with any provider, operate in similar ways and cover broadly the same items,’ Sarah advises. ‘But policies do vary from one insurance provider to another, so it’s always best to read the small print and know what to look out for.’
‘It’s always worth checking with your provider. If you have any queries or concerns, it’s always sensible to check the terms of your policy or speak to your insurer.’
Does home insurance cover water leaks?
‘Both types of home insurance – buildings and contents – normally cover the damage caused by water leaks,’ Sarah explains. ‘Aviva claims data shows that ‘escapes of water’ are one of the most common causes of claim amongst home insurance customers.’
‘Home insurance covers the damage caused by a water leak and often covers reasonable costs to remove any part of the internal structure of the home needed to find the source of the leak. So in other words, if a plumber needs to cut through a ceiling or remove tiles to get to a leaking pipe, this is often covered.’ The insurer may also cover the costs of ‘making good’ after the leak has been fixed. As always, it’s worth checking the small print.
Image credit: Future PLC/ Joanna Henderson
Will home insurance cover plumbing?
Water leaks and plumbing emergencies are not one the same thing. As Sarah explains, ‘Home insurance usually covers the damage caused by water leaks. This could be water from a burst pipe, but it won’t necessarily cover plumbing emergencies or boiler breakdowns as standard.’
‘Standard home insurance is different to “home emergency cover”. This would provide cover in the event of a plumbing emergency, such as a blocked drain or toilet. Boilers are also sometimes covered as part of this home emergency add-on. Some insurers offer home emergency cover as an optional extra to their home buildings or contents cover – or as a standalone product.’
Does homeowners insurance cover water damage from rain?
‘Home insurance can cover water damage from rain, but it is dependent on how that rain water entered the property,’ warns Ryan Fulthorpe, home insurance expert at gocompare.com*. ‘If, due to poor upkeep and maintenance of the property rain water is able to damage the property, then Insurers may class this as wear and tear and not cover this incident.’
‘However if the rain water has come in through a storm event with wind removing roof tiles leaving the property unprotected this could be an incident covered under your policy.’
Is there a home insurance that covers everything?
‘Home insurance providers offer an array of product offerings,’ explains Ryan. ‘The best way to make sure you are getting the cover you need is to use a price comparison website, like GoCompare. This allows you to compare insurance offerings to select the cover that is right for the individual circumstances.’
Does home insurance cover bad workmanship?
‘It’ss unlikely damage caused by bad workmanship be that, maintenance, repairs, or renovation will be covered under your buildings and contents insurance,’ says Ryan. ‘However the contractors should have liability insurance to cover anything that goes wrong.’
‘If it is damage caused by DIY, accidental damage cover may cover the incident but do check with the insurer.’
Does house insurance cover garden walls?
Image credit: Future PLC/ Polly Eltes
‘With the garden falling within the boundaries of your home buildings insurance it will usually cover the structures within that, therefore including garden walls,’ Ryan explains. ‘Consumers can check their policy documentation to understand any possible exclusions or speak directly to insurers.’
Like with all things home and insurance related, get everything in writing for clarity. Should any claims arise in the future – you’re covered.
*Ideal Home and Go Compare are part of Future plc.
The post What does home insurance cover? Different home insurance covers explained appeared first on Ideal Home.
Reading time: 4 min
Shopping edit – 8 stylish hot water bottles for keeping warm and cosy
Ahh, the trusty hot water bottle. Whether you’re someone who is always cold or you’re forever reaching for your current (albeit old) hot water bottle to soothe cramps or aches and pains, these are the top options that are all stylish and super functional. Plus, don’t forget that a hot water bottle makes a great gift idea for pretty much anyone – who wouldn’t want to unwrap an actual bundle of warmth? It goes without us saying that the ones on our list below are especially great.
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We’ve searched high and low for stylish hot water bottles that you’ll want to display on your bed – because why buy a plain one when you can go all out? There are plenty of options out there now, from faux fur hot water bottles to knitted hot water bottles and even personalised options. See our top picks and put your kettle on.
Otherwise, something as simple as the best pillow might do the trick
Whether you’re replacing your old hot water bottle and only need a cover, or perhaps you’re looking for a hot water bottle to target something specific? We’ve spotted hot water bottles that are designed to wrap around your neck and aid relaxation, others that are made for soothing period pains and even a few personalised hot water bottles for style and warmth. Get yours now whilst the weather is cold, to use at home in bed or to take on a chilly camping trip or staycation.
The best hot water bottles to buy
1. The White Company’s Super-Soft Faux Fur Hot Water Bottle
The best luxury hot water bottle
Image credit: The White Company
This ultra-luxurious option from The White Company is wrapped in a faux fur long pile fabric to conceal the heat – and to look lovely whilst keeping you warm. It’s super soft and it comes in four colourways from Dove Grey to Mink, Almond and a Natural colour. The bottle nestled inside is made of natural rubber, and the cover is machine washable for ease of use. Whether for using yourself or gifting to someone special, it ticks all our boxes.
2. Dunelm Teddy Bear Cream Long Hot Water Bottle
The best long hot water bottle
Image credit: Dunelm
Fill this long hot water bottle and drape it over your shoulders to aid relaxation – and to soothe your muscles. Alternatively, it’s great for placing over your stomach to soothe cramps, or for perching across your feet to keep your toes warm. All in all: it’s pretty versatile thanks to its shape. It also comes with a teddy bear boucle-like fabric wrapped around it, to act as a thick barrier between the hot rubber bottle and your skin. When necessary, this cover can be machine washed and line dried.
3. High Fibre Design Hand Knitted Hot Water Bottle Cover
The knitted hot water bottle of dreams
Image credit: High Fibre Design
This adorable hot water bottle has been hand knitted with a chunky weave cover, designed to both look the part and play the part. There are two sizes to choose from including a mini option, and you can pick either Ivory or Light Grey. It’s 100% lambswool so you can’t wash it in your machine – meaning hand wash it is! It doesn’t come with a rubber bottle as the idea is that you use one that you already own. Other than that, it’s definitely a sumptuous buy and it would make a lovely present idea.
4. Catherine Colebrook Floral Liberty Cute Personalised Hot Water Bottle
A lovely personalised hot water bottle
Image credit: Catherine Colebrook
Gift this hot water bottle to a special someone who is always cold – we all know a person! It’s rectangular in shape and although it might look like a microwaveable hottie, it’s not. Inside the decorative floral cover lives a 0.5L bottle that you fill with hot water for warmth. Personalise the letter on the front to suit your first name, and choose from a range of colours including a glitter option. Handmade by a small business, a matching eye mask is also available. Plus, it can be gift wrapped, too.
5. Dunelm Teddy Bear Grey Neck Hot Water Bottle
The best hot water bottle for your neck
Image credit: Dunelm
Thanks to its unique shape, this teddy bear hot water bottle from Dunelm is perfect for soothing your neck – and for using whilst working from home or binging Netflix. Essentially, it’s like a travel pillow but you can fill it with hot water for warmth. It’s supportive and soft, and most of all: different! Though obviously, you can only really use it around your neck.
6. Matalan Christmas Alphabet Velvet Hot Water Bottle
A trusty Christmas hot water bottle
Image credit: Matalan
Yes, there’s such a thing as a Christmas hot water bottle – and you’re going to want one. From Matalan and wrapped in a luxe velvet cover, they come embroidered with your initial on the front, as well as decorated with stars. They come in different colours depending on the letter you’re buying, and each one has a 700ml capacity. Not just for use at Christmas, believe it or not, but you’ll want to cosy up with this personalised buy all winter long.
7. Wuka Wearable Hot Water Bottle
The best wearable hot water bottle
Image credit: Wuka
Yes, you can wear this hot water bottle. Not out of the house (you can, but we wouldn’t advise it as people might stare a little) but you can wrap it around yourself and fasten it so that it can warm you up whilst you walk around and do your chores. Or whilst you chill on your sofa. It’s actually created for soothing stomach pain and period pains – genius! – and it has a cosy fleece cover for added warmth. The best part? Other than the fact it stays where you want it to sit, it has a pocket for your phone to live. Its bottle is made from natural rubber and in size, this hot water bottle measures 77cm long.
Buy now: Wuka Wearable Hot Water Bottle, £24.99, Wuka
8. Sparks and Daughters Personalised Embroidered Velvet Hot Water Bottle Cover
A luxury velvet hot water bottle
Image credit: Sparks and Daughters
How cute is this velvet hot water bottle? It’s from small business Sparks and Daughters, and it can be personalized with your initial. It comes in a range of colourways and with a beautiful ribbon for fastening closed. Soft on your skin, you can take this with you to bed, use it whilst you’re watching a movie on the sofa or even bring it to the office with you. Plus, there’s the added bonus that if you choose gift wrapping, it arrives looking lovely, all in eco-friendly recyclable packaging. Note: this is just a cover, a rubber hot water bottle does not come included.
Where to buy a hot water bottle?
Still searching for a new hot water bottle? See below and shop yourself.
- Argos hot water bottles
- Amazon hot water bottles
- Boots hot water bottles
- Dunelm hot water bottles
- Etsy hot water bottles
- John Lewis & Partners hot water bottles
- Not on the High Street hot water bottles
- The White Company hot water bottles
How to fill a hot water bottle?
To fill your hot water bottle, you’re going to want to boil the kettle. Once it’s boiled, leave the water to cool down for a few minutes and then you can unscrew and fill your hot water bottle. Sometimes, hot water from your tap might do the trick but since you use hot water bottles with a cover, it might not be hot enough to feel the warmth.
How much water do you put in a hot water bottle?
You should fill your hot water bottle just less than three-quarters of the way up. Before screwing its lid on, you might want to squeeze the air out otherwise they can pop.
The post Shopping edit – 8 stylish hot water bottles for keeping warm and cosy appeared first on Ideal Home.
Reading time: 6 min
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