DIY disasters ahead? What tips do you have for your clients?

DIY disasters ahead?  

One of the most common conditions applied in household insurance is that the policyholder must take all reasonable steps to prevent loss, damage or injury, particularly important if they are planning any work.

Top Tip #1  

Advise clients who might be considering improvements to take out Accidental Damage Cover

AD cover on Buildings and Contents will give your clients better cover for all sorts of DIY disasters:

• If they knock a hole in a pipe putting a picture up, AD cover would not only cover the Escape of water, but also repairing or replacing the pipe itself 
• If they spill the can of paint whilst decorating, they will be covered for the damaged carpet. 
• If they’re in the loft and slip and stick a foot through the ceiling – this would once again only be covered under AD

Top Tip #2

Advise clients to consider taking out Home Emergency Cover 

Home Emergency Cover (HEC) protects clients against the call out charges, repair bills and material costs for many of the problems that could arise as a consequence of a home improvement project:

• Water supply system failure (including blocked drains within the boundaries of the property)
• Electricity failure of at least one complete circuit
• Gas leak
• Primary heating system failure or breakdown
• Failure of, or damage to, external door & window locks

So if your client or their builder damages a pipe, which might lead to the house being flooded, an HEC insurer approved plumber will repair of the pipe.  Of course, they are only going to repair the damaged pipe – not finish re-plumbing the bathroom.  Likewise an HEC insurer authorised electrician would repair any damage to the electrical wiring – but not carry on helping rewire the kitchen.

It’s a great peace of mind to any DIYer who might find themselves suddenly out of their depth, or suffering the consequences of bad workmanship by their contractor.

If your clients follow these tips, then they will be as well protected by their insurances as possible should DIY disaster strike.

Kevin Paterson, MD Source Insurance