Insure against heartache at home this Christmas
With less than 2 weeks before 25 December, even the biggest Bah Humbug would struggle to deny that we are now very much in the midst of the festive season. Having already dispatched their wish lists to parents and stand-in Santas up and down the land, children will soon be demanding the Christmas tree goes up and their advent calendars are primed for pillaging.
The cost of the tree, presents and dinner with all the trimmings can run into hundreds, sometimes thousands, of pounds. It is estimated that the contents of the average UK home are worth £45,000, a figure that is likely to be bloated at Christmas as a result of gifts, decorations, etc.
In fact, a recent survey found that the average person intends to spend almost £300 on presents this Christmas. It is therefore vital that people ensure their belongings are covered.
There is always the temptation to skimp on cover, but home insurance should be considered an essential in any home, even more so than the latest iPod or Playstation 3 game. Forget the January sales; the facts are that in a competitive market, consumers have the power to find a deal that represents real value for money, costing a tiny amount compared to the worth of a home’s contents.
There is a real danger that insurance inertia could cost Britons dear, with figures showing that one person in four people has cancelled or not renewed their home cover this year. Ben Tyte, manager of Sainsbury’s Home Insurance was correct when he said that dumbing down or cutting out home insurance altogether is a false economy, leaving consumers facing the very real prospect of financial ruin.
When better than to cover against the worst than at Christmas? In the spirit of the season, people would be well advised to shop around for the best deal, giving themselves the present of peace of mind. There are plenty of cracking home insurance deals available, with many offering substantial discounts when applying online. Some are even offering free increases on home contents cover limits over the Christmas period.
The monthly fees might represent a small inconvenience, but it is infinitely preferable to the alternative.
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