'I'm a finance expert - a small detail on the external doors of your house could invalidate your home insurance'
Seemingly beneficial improvements around the home can prove a total waste of money
PA
Despite being notoriously expensive in the UK, property insurance is imperative for protecting homes and the goods they contain.
Many people overlook the finer details of their policy, however, causing issues when the time comes to make a claim.
A body of research published by Confused.com earlier this year revealed that 75 per cent of homeowners have unknowingly invalidated their home insurance.
A common mistake is ignoring minor details relating to home locks, which appear in the fine print of insurance policies.
GETTY
Gary Hemming, a leading finance expert from ABC Finance, highlighted some of the essential details in the fine print of your home insurance that are as critical as they are unexpected.
“You might not think much about the type of lock on your door, but insurers do,” the expert explained.
“For instance, your policy might specify that you need a five-lever mortice deadlock conforming to BS3621 standards on all external doors.”
According to the expert, numerous small details in the fine print of your insurance can play a pivotal role in our coverage.
“If you experience a break-in and your insurer discovers the locks don’t meet these specifications your claims could be invalidated.”
When it comes to other ways Britons may be invalidating their home insurance, sleeping with the doors or windows open comes out on top.
Researchers show that 48 per cent of people commit this mistake throughout the warmer summer months.
Hemming continued: “Your home insurance is a finely woven net of protections, with every thread playing a crucial role in its strength and effectiveness.
“Understanding the intricacies of your policy, from the type of locals on your doors to the specifics of your home contents, ensures that this safety net remains intact when you need it most.
“By paying attention to these details and maintaining open communications with your insurer, you can safeguard your home against unexpected events and ensure that your coverage remains robust and responsible to your needs.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Detached homes are popular with those looking for space and privacy PAIt comes as a property expert told GB News readers about the easiest way to determine who is responsible for a garden fence.
Many homeowners remain blissfully unaware of the rules until problems start to arise, and by then it may already be too late to change.
Speaking exclusively to GB News, Tom Clifford, from Gardenstone, explained that the responsibility for the fence doesn’t always fall on just one party.
“Commonly, homeowners will have the individual responsibility of the fence to their left as well as their property’s past fence, but this differs depending on your garden size and shape,” he explained.