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If you work from home in the UK, you may need business insurance depending on your specific situation. Here’s what you need to know: For Remote Employees If you’re an employee working remotely (for example, if you’re a full-time office worker who now works from home), typically: Your employer’s insurance should cover company-provided equipment like laptops and phones Your standard home insurance may be sufficient, but you must inform your insurer about your home working arrangement Check with your employer about their insurance coverage for remote workers 💡 Example: If you’re a marketing manager working remotely for a London-based company, your work laptop and phone should be covered by your employer’s insurance. However, you should still notify your home insurer that you’re working from home to ensure your home insurance remains valid. When You Definitely Need Business Insurance You need dedicated business insurance if you: Store valuable stock or materials at home (such as if you’re a craftsperson or retailer) Use specialised equipment worth more than your home insurance’s single-item limit Have clients or employees visiting your home Take business equipment outside your home regularly Equipment Coverage For basic equipment like laptops and phones: If you’re an employee, your employer’s insurance should cover company-provided equipment If you’re self-employed, check if your home insurance provides adequate coverage Consider additional business contents insurance for specialised or high-value equipment Next Steps Contact your current insurer to: Declare your home working status Understand your current coverage limits Identify any gaps in protection that need addressing Have unanswered questions? Chat to us today to discuss your unique situation – We’re here to help!

Key points: There’s no UK law that makes buildings insurance compulsory. Most mortgage lenders insist on cover from exchange of contracts. Outright owners can skip it, but would face the full rebuild cost if disaster strikes. Leasehold flats are usually covered by a block policy arranged by the freeholder or management company. Buildings cover protects you from potentially six‑figure repair bills. Not by law. However, most mortgage lenders require you to have buildings insurance in place from exchange of contracts to protect their loan. Cash‑buyers & outright owners: you’re free to go uninsured, but you’d have to fund any rebuild costs yourself. Leasehold flats: your freeholder or management company will normally arrange a block policy and recharge you. For details of what a policy typically includes, see our guide What does buildings insurance cover?. In short, while not legally mandatory, buildings insurance is strongly recommended to avoid potentially six‑figure repair bills.

Choosing the right level of personal belongings cover is crucial for comprehensive protection. Our policies offer the flexibility to select coverage up to £20,000, allowing you to safeguard your belongings with confidence. Tailoring coverage to your needs Whether you have a modest collection of personal items or high-value possessions, our customisable options ensure that you can tailor the coverage to suit your unique requirements. This way, you have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your belongings are adequately protected. Specifying high-value items In situations where you own individual items surpassing £2,000 in value, our policy allows for their separate specification. By doing so, you ensure that these high-worth belongings receive the specific attention and coverage they deserve, contributing to a more comprehensive and personalised insurance solution.

Yes, your robotic mower counts as domestic garden machinery, so any loss or damage caused by the insured perils is covered under the Contents section while it’s on your property. Theft from an open garden is capped by the “Contents in the open” limit on your Schedule (typically £1,000). Storing the mower in a locked attached garage or lean-to moves cover up to your full Contents sum-insured (standard £100 k). In a locked detached outbuilding, it comes under the combined Outbuildings-contents pool of £5 k (extendable to £10 k). Away-from-home cover isn’t available. Personal Belongings only applies to items “you might wear or carry”; it excludes motor-powered devices (other than small carve-outs such as mobility scooters Mechanical or electrical breakdown and gradual wear-and-tear aren’t insured. How the policy treats a robot mower Scenario Where the cover sits Key limits & conditions Fire, storm, flood, impact, malicious damage or theft while the mower is inside the home or an attached garage / lean-to See Contents – Section 2 Up to your overall Contents sum-insured (typically £100 k). No single-article limit because the mower isn’t High-Risk Property. Same perils while the mower is stored in a locked, detached shed, standalone garage or garden room Outbuildings-contents pool Combined limit £5,000 for all detached outbuildings (can be increased to £10,000 on request). Theft from the garden in the open (while mowing or docked outside) “Contents in the open” benefit Payout capped at the garden-contents limit on your Schedule (usually £1,000). Accidental Damage (e.g. driving over it, dropped while carrying) Optional Accidental Damage to Contents Available if you selected this add-on; Contents excess applies Taken off-site (neighbour’s lawn, holiday home) Not covered Personal Belongings excludes motorised vehicles and their accessories, so a robot mower can’t be added What isn’t covered Mechanical/electrical breakdown or wear-and-tear. Theft while unattended with security features disabled (policy may deem this “carelessness”). Amounts above your Contents sum-insured or the garden-contents limit if you haven’t increased them to reflect the mower’s value. Protection tips Anchor the charging dock to a solid surface and enable the PIN/GPS lock. Store overnight in a locked shed/garage to avoid the garden-limit cap Keep purchase receipts & serial number – they speed up claims.

Determining the rebuild value (not resale) of your home is crucial for setting the right level of buildings insurance. Here are two reliable methods to assess this value: ABI’s Rebuild Calculator Guide Price: An accessible option is to use the Association of British Insurers (ABI) rebuild calculator. This online tool provides a guide price based on various factors, including the size and type of your property. Ease of Use The ABI’s rebuild calculator is user-friendly, allowing you to input essential details and receive an estimated rebuild value promptly. Limitations While this provides a useful starting point, it’s important to note that it offers a general estimation and may not account for specific features or materials in your home. Professional Surveyor Accurate Calculation For a more precise and tailored assessment, consider hiring a professional surveyor. Surveyors have the expertise to evaluate the specific characteristics of your property, including construction materials, unique features, and overall condition. Site Visit A surveyor typically conducts a site visit to thoroughly assess your home, taking into account factors that may not be covered by online calculators. Detailed Report Upon completion, the surveyor provides a detailed report outlining the rebuild value of your home. This report can be invaluable for obtaining accurate and comprehensive insurance coverage. Why Rebuild Value Matters Understanding the rebuild value is essential because it represents the cost of rebuilding your home from scratch in the event of a total loss, such as fire or structural damage. It ensures that your insurance coverage adequately reflects the cost of reconstruction, preventing underinsurance. Choosing the Right Method Deciding between the ABI’s rebuild calculator and a professional surveyor depends on your preferences, the complexity of your property, and the level of accuracy you seek. While the calculator offers convenience, a surveyor provides a more detailed and personalised assessment. Summary By using these methods to determine the rebuild value, you can make informed decisions about your buildings insurance coverage, ensuring that you have adequate protection in place.