Monday, August 19, 2013

Protection Around The World With Home Insurance

By Elizabeth Hardenvolk


The world seems to be getting smaller through globalization, and people are travelling on business or for personal reasons more and more. There are added benefits to some home insurance policies that will offer coverage in other countries, and many policy holders are not well informed about this.

You may have an international trip planned. Or you're a snowbird, heading to Arizona for the winter. Your favorite golf clubs, clothing and accessories, and laptop are going with you, and these carry considerable value. In a case where some or all of these items are lost or damaged, do you know if your home insurance plan protects you? Baggage cover doesn't come cheaply, so refer to your home insurance policy first to see if your luggage is covered before paying extra money in this area, as it can make travel insurance more costly as well. It could save you a decent amount of money, and there is the added benefit of coverage if your bag is stolen in your home country.

Personal items that are taken out of the home on a temporary basis are already covered by the majority of home insurance policies. Liability coverage for personal actions worldwide is usually covered by home insurance policies, which protects you if you cause someone injury or damage their property.

Which situations below would be covered by your home insurance:

You find yourself in the mountains in Switzerland, and your camera goes tumbling off the cliff just as you line up for the perfect photo. Covered or not covered? After the deductible is paid, the camera will be replaced if you have comprehensive home insurance, even if you are halfway across the world when you lose it.

If you are careless when carrying your surfboard on your Hawaii trip, you could cause another person on the beach a serious injury. Insured or not? Your home insurance policy has liability insurance included as part of it, and this would provide protection to you if you caused another person personal injury in another country, and are held liable for their injuries.

You just had the most exhilarating golf game ever at St. Andrews in Scotland, and decide to go have a few drinks in the club with your fellow players. When you exit the clubhouse, your golf clubs are nowhere to be found. Insured or not insured? Your policy protects your personal items worldwide, so they will go over your claim. Sporting goods such as golf clubs may not be fully covered, so be sure to check your policy closely. Check with your insurance agent to make sure you have enough coverage.

Your family is enjoying a California coast trip in your recreational vehicle. While you're out walking on the dunes, someone breaks into your RV and steals your laptop and rips the flat screen tv off the RV wall. Will these be protected by insurance? Your laptop should be covered by your home insurance policy, as it is an item "temporarily removed" from your principal residence. The TV, on the other hand, was attached to the RV, so would need to be claimed under your RV policy.

Having knowledge that your home insurance policy offers you protection as you vacation provides you some peace of mind.



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