Questions to ask yourself when purchasing home insurance

Your family’s needs constantly evolve but have you considered your insurance cover needs as they evolve too? Do you need to reassess your contents cover and avoid the risk of underinsurance? Taking the time to ask the below 10 questions will help you understand your coverage, avoid gaps, and make confident decisions for your family’s future.

1. What does the policy cover—and what is excluded?

• Does it cover fire, theft, water damage, storms or accidental damage?
• Are there any exclusions I should be aware of (e.g. maintenance costs, wear and tear)?

2. What is the replacement value of my home and contents?

• Is my home insured for its full rebuild value, including materials and labour?
• Are my personal belongings covered for their repair or replacement value?

3. Do I need additional coverage for valuables?

• Are items like jewellery, art, or collectibles fully protected?

4. What is my excess?

• How much will I need to pay out of my own pocket before insurance kicks in?
• Can I adjust my excess, and how would that affect my premium?

5. Are there liability protections?

• Does the policy include public liability cover if someone is injured on my property or if I accidentally cause damage or harm to others?

6. Does the policy provide for alternative accommodation expenses?

• If my home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered event, will my insurance pay for my alternative accommodation?

7. Are there discounts or ways to reduce my premium?

• Can I save by installing security systems, or taking other risk-reducing measures?

8. How often should I review and update my coverage?

• I should ensure I check my cover value every year.

9. Who can I contact for help or advice?

• Is there a dedicated advisor or helpline I can reach if I have questions or need to make a claim?

Why it’s time for families to reassess their contents insurance

The typical contents of an established home are things like new technology, tools in the shed, sports equipment, garden furniture, kitchen appliances, home office equipment, jewellery, art and collectables and household furniture, to mention but a few.

Many people are complacent when it comes to insurance cover thinking: “We got cover years ago — it’s probably fine.” However, your circumstances are constantly evolving and your home contents insurance needs do as well. For example, the cumulative value of belongings increases as families upgrade, inherit, and invest over time.

At Zurich, we pride ourselves on being a family-first insurer that evolves with your household, offering protection that grows alongside your lifestyle.

Underinsurance is more common than you think — even in well-insured homes

We all have items in our homes that are often underestimated in value such as gifts received recently, items inherited but not yet valued or newly purchased goods not yet added to the policy.

We have written an article on items that people often forget to include on their contents insurance policy. The most common things families forget to cover include:

• Valuables and collectibles* such as jewellery, antiques, and designer clothing.
• Electronics such as laptops, tablets, cameras and smartphones.
• Items in sheds or garages, for example garden or sports equipment. With a Zurich home insurance policy, we cover up to €750 for contents in the garden.
• Small appliances such as blenders, toasters and coffee machines.

* Under your content’s sum insured, the most we will pay for any one article, set or collection is one third of your sums insured or €4,000, whichever is smaller. Your policy is subject to the terms and conditions and limits as noted in our home insurance policy booklet. 

Zurich’s home insurance content calculator can help you identify items you might not have thought about but which are worth protecting. We also have lots of useful information on contents insurance from Zurich and how to avoid being underinsured.

Five questions every family should ask about their contents cover

Below is a list of self-check questions:

1. Have you or a family member purchased or inherited anything valuable recently?
2. Do your families policy limits reflect today’s replacement costs?
3. If you have children, are their electronics covered when they’re outside the house?
4. What happens if the shed needs to be rebuilt or the attic leaks?
5. Is accidental damage part of your current policy?

What happens if you need to claim, but you’re underinsured?

Underinsurance means you are not fully protected in the event of loss or damage to your home (buildings and/or contents including your personal possessions). If your home is underinsured, you may not receive the full amount necessary to rebuild, repair or replace it in the event of partial or complete damage. 

When the unexpected happens, it’s reassuring to know that help is at hand when you need it. If you are insured with Zurich, we aim to deal with your claim and queries as quickly as possible. Making a claim can sometimes seem stressful, especially if you’ve never had to claim before. With Zurich you can make a claim online by completing our online form to make your claim. Our team will be in touch on the next working day. 

If you have a claims query, you can call our 24 hour claims helpline: 01 609 1436 or 0818 208 408 or email us at claimsnotification@zurich.com. We also have lots of useful claims guides that provide information on specific circumstances.

Make sure you’re fully covered with Zurich

At Zurich we understand the dynamics of an ever-changing family life. Your world is so unique –that's why we've devoted the last 70 years in Ireland to protecting it.

As one of Ireland’s leading general insurance companies, experienced claims handling teams for home insurance are here to provide excellent advice and guidance if you need us, and we provide a 24-hour claims helpline on: 01 609 1436.

Taking out a home insurance policy with Zurich gives peace of mind and confidence that you're with an insurance company that understands your unique world here in Ireland. Contact our local support team in Wexford today.