The home insurance
information contained within these pages is
based on information supplied by
The
Claims Guru, a site packed with useful
information about the inner workings of insurance
companies and their products.
Contents Insurance - Third Party Liabilities
You could be held liable by a third party for your actions or lack of actions in the following ways:
Public liability under statute. Example would be under the Occupiers Liability Act(s) Negligence. This is similar to a car accident.
Examples would be where you had created a tripping hazard in your home, failed to fix it or warn visitors and the visitor then fell and injured themselves. Or where you failed to keep your dog under control whilst taking him or her for a walk.
Or where you caused a road traffic accident owing to the way you rode your bicycle.
Nuisance. An example would be where your tree roots damage the structures in your neighbours property.
Employers liability under statute, or negligence. An example might be where you employ a gardner and he sustains injury through faulty equipment you supply.
We will run through some specific points of policy cover albeit not go into the wording in depth.
There are policy definitions. If you have an animal that could be dangerous, check out these definitions!
What are you covered for? As with any liability policy – only legal liability and costs. Sentimental and moral considerations are not covered.
Q: Give details of any physical defect or infirmity from which you are
suffering.
A: Marriage
Extracts taken from actual claim forms submitted to
a number of UK home insurance companies
Your contents policy covers both Occupiers Liability and also personal liability. This second item includes holidays and other travel. Valuable cover most members of public don’t appreciate they have. When you buy travel insurance you almost certainly pay for this cover twice! Travel policies also have a public liability section.
Contents also has limited employers liability cover for ‘domestics', gardeners and the like. (Your buildings policy will cover you for your liability as the owner of the property and also protect you in respect of certain aspects of the Defective Premises Act. - see above)
Needless to say there are exclusions - more 'small print'! Some likely exclusions are :
Your own goods.
Employers Liability where you employ staff to run a business.
If you are disabled and employ carers, check with your insurer, it is very important you are fully protected.
Areas where you should have other liability insurance, e.g. motor, marine, aviation.
Dangerous animals (hence the definition).
Use of horses for hunting racing or polo
Passenger lifts (what about disabled lifts? If you are disabled and have a lift, better check with your insurers!!).
Liability for landlord business (e.g. running such a business).
Firearms except as licensed.
Liability for your job or business (your employer covers this).
Your policy will also exclude any claims that would be covered under any other policy. As most policies of this nature have similar exclusions, any duplication of cover will almost certainly result in a claim shared between insurers. An example would be where you also have pet insurance and both that policy and this one covers your liability for your negligent handling of your pet such that you cause injury to someone or damage to their property
There is usually a limit - a 'sum insured'. It might sound a lot but some court cases are now awarding more than your limit!
