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Take out Home Insurance as precaution for typhoon season
Whenever Hong Kong is visited by a severe typhoon, we would all hear about news of flooding and damaged windows in buildings resulting from strong winds and heavy rain. Entering the typhoon season, not only are household precautions against strong winds necessary, so is comprehensive home insurance. After all, damage from typhoons can result in monetary losses. The following should be kept in mind when looking to provide the maximum protection for one's home.
Firstly, home insurance typically covers accidental loss of or damage to household contents. In the case of typhoons, heavy rain might cause severe leakage around the windows and result in damage to nearby electrical appliances. Leather sofas might also become moldy due to water damage. Food and drinks in the fridge might go bad because of power outages during typhoons. The insured can receive compensation for these eventualities.
To strengthen protection against typhoons, it is important to pay attention to whether a home insurance policy covers breakage of window glass caused by typhoons. Severe typhoons can cause flooding and structural damage to a building, rendering it temporarily uninhabitable. Home insurance would cover the cost of temporary accommodation and the removal of debris, thereby minimizing unexpected expenses. Some home insurance policies would cover household improvements and betterments on walls, ceilings, doors, flooring and windows, which would be protected even when damaged by storms.
Consumers should also ensure their home insurance policies include third party liability coverage. This is because when a window is damaged, glass shards can fall and strike a passer-by, resulting in injury or death, as well as property damage. Third party liability coverage can provide support against legal liabilities arising from such cases, lessening the burden of huge sums in awarded damages and legal fees.
In light of lifestyle changes in recent years, some insurance companies have added into home insurance policies protection for online purchases. During the pandemic, most people would stay home and minimize going out, thus making online shopping ever more popular. The home insurance provision for online purchases would provide protection when the seller or shipping company failed to provide reshipment or refund within a specified time period under two circumstances. One is non-delivery of the purchased item, with confirmation by the shipping company that the item had been lost during transport and could not be located. The other covered situation is accidental damage of the purchased item upon delivery, resulting in failure to function properly.
When shopping for home insurance, it is important not to focus only on the level of premiums, discounts and gifts. One must compare the scope of coverage and covered amounts, as well as assess whether the exclusions are appropriate for one's personal needs. Also, you should report the incident to insurance company as soon as possible and move away the household contents from water logged areas to limit further damage. Do remember to take photographs of the site and damaged items, which should be uploaded to the insurance company's website or emailed to their claims department along with the completed claims form and quotations on repairs and relevant purchase receipts. This can expedite the claims review and payment process.
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