How to insure your carpet
If you've invested in a valuable carpet or a handmade rug then it is sensible to protect it, just as you would other valuables in your property, by having a suitable home insurance policy.
However, just what risks will home insurance protect you against and is it really worth making a claim if carpet cleaning is an option?
If you've invested in a valuable carpet or a handmade rug then it is sensible to protect it, just as you would other valuables in your property, by having a suitable home insurance policy.
However, just what risks will home insurance protect you against and is it really worth making a claim if carpet cleaning is an option?
PERMANENT SHOP DISPLAYS
1. Woburn Abbey Antiques Centre. Beds.
Tel: 01525 290350.
2. John Moores Antiques. Chawston. Beds.
Tel: 01480 214165.
3. Finedon Antiques. Church Street, Finedon.
Tel: 01933 682515.
4. Clare Antique Warehouse. Clare Suffolk.
Tel: 01787 278449.
5. Long Melford Antiques Centre. Chapel Maltings, Long Melford, Suffolk.
Tel: 01787 278449.
1. Woburn Abbey Antiques Centre. Beds.
Tel: 01525 290350.
2. John Moores Antiques. Chawston. Beds.
Tel: 01480 214165.
3. Finedon Antiques. Church Street, Finedon.
Tel: 01933 682515.
4. Clare Antique Warehouse. Clare Suffolk.
Tel: 01787 278449.
5. Long Melford Antiques Centre. Chapel Maltings, Long Melford, Suffolk.
Tel: 01787 278449.
How does home insurance apply to carpets?
Carpets are usually covered under the contents aspect of a policy - contents insurance protects the non-permanent items in your home against risks such as flooding and fire damage, water leaks, explosions, and even if your home is vandalised (subject to the policy's terms and exclusions).
When assessing the level of contents insurance you need, it will usually be necessary to create an inventory of your possessions to determine a sum insured - under estimating the level of cover required could leave you out of pocket if a claim were necessary. Most home insurance policies have a limit on the total you can claim for contents following an insured event.
If your carpet or rug is particularly valuable, you may need to include it as a specified item on your contents insurance. This is because most policies carry limits on individual items - typically in the region of £1,500. So it's a good idea to hang on to receipts and even take photographs of your carpet to ensure a claim would run smoothly if necessary.
Also bear in mind that insurance companies offer a range of policies and they are not always the same. For example, some offer “new for old” cover which means that if your carpet were ruined during an insured event, it would be replaced with a new one. However, other insurance companies only offer “wear and tear” cover where a percentage of what you paid for the carpet will be deducted for depreciation.
In addition, look to see whether the home insurance policy includes accidental damage cover. Many insurers only apply accidental damage cover to electrical items and you may want to extend the cover to include carpets and other items. Also check the terms and conditions of the policy carefully for exclusions - for example is your carpet protected from spillages, or from damage caused by pets and children?
Is it worth making a claim for carpet damage?
There are some instances in which it is sensible to make a claim on your home insurance policy for carpet damage - such as if your home were flooded or severely vandalised during a burglary.
However, for instances such as spills and other minor incidents you should weigh up carefully whether a home insurance claim is a sound financial step.
Assuming you can't deal with the problem yourself - such as by attempting to treat the spill - then it's worth calling professional carpet cleaners in your area and asking for quotations. Bear in mind that some of their charges may be high and so you may still decide that a home insurance claim is the best step forward.
However, with a home insurance claim it will usually be necessary to pay an excess - this is an amount you agree to pay towards a claim when taking out the policy. Your home insurance premiums may also be affected at renewal time once a claim has been made. Many home insurance providers will also send out a loss adjustor to assess whether a claim is truly necessary.
In addition, it's worth looking to see if your carpet comes with a warranty and whether you can make a claim on it rather than on your home insurance. Most warranties will insist that your carpet is professionally cleaned on a regular basis - usually at least once every 18 months.
How to avoid home insurance claims for carpet damage
While it is sensible to take out suitable home insurance for peace of mind in case an accident occurs, it's also wise to keep your carpet in the best possible condition and to be well prepared for spillages and other unfortunate events. Here are some tips:
- Keep your carpet in good condition with regular vacuuming to pick up any loose soils and dirt.
- Treat spills and stains straight away to prevent any permanent damage.
- Scrape up as much as possible using a spoon or item with a blunt edge to prevent the spill from spreading. If you have spilt a liquid, use a clean cloth or towel to blot it up and use plain warm water to dampen the spill without rubbing.
- In the cases of spilt alcohol, tea or fruit juice, pour lukewarm water on to the spillage area and blot until no more can be absorbed. Around an egg cup of neutral liquid detergent mixed with half a pint of lukewarm water could be poured on to the area before blotting again.
- In the cases of spilt paint, apply paintbrush restorer to a cloth and blot working in from the edge.
- If your carpet is damaged beyond repair then take a photograph and consult your home insurance provider as soon as possible. Wait for its assessment - it may want to send out a loss adjustor before disposing of the carpet.
Carpets are usually covered under the contents aspect of a policy - contents insurance protects the non-permanent items in your home against risks such as flooding and fire damage, water leaks, explosions, and even if your home is vandalised (subject to the policy's terms and exclusions).
When assessing the level of contents insurance you need, it will usually be necessary to create an inventory of your possessions to determine a sum insured - under estimating the level of cover required could leave you out of pocket if a claim were necessary. Most home insurance policies have a limit on the total you can claim for contents following an insured event.
If your carpet or rug is particularly valuable, you may need to include it as a specified item on your contents insurance. This is because most policies carry limits on individual items - typically in the region of £1,500. So it's a good idea to hang on to receipts and even take photographs of your carpet to ensure a claim would run smoothly if necessary.
Also bear in mind that insurance companies offer a range of policies and they are not always the same. For example, some offer “new for old” cover which means that if your carpet were ruined during an insured event, it would be replaced with a new one. However, other insurance companies only offer “wear and tear” cover where a percentage of what you paid for the carpet will be deducted for depreciation.
In addition, look to see whether the home insurance policy includes accidental damage cover. Many insurers only apply accidental damage cover to electrical items and you may want to extend the cover to include carpets and other items. Also check the terms and conditions of the policy carefully for exclusions - for example is your carpet protected from spillages, or from damage caused by pets and children?
Is it worth making a claim for carpet damage?
There are some instances in which it is sensible to make a claim on your home insurance policy for carpet damage - such as if your home were flooded or severely vandalised during a burglary.
However, for instances such as spills and other minor incidents you should weigh up carefully whether a home insurance claim is a sound financial step.
Assuming you can't deal with the problem yourself - such as by attempting to treat the spill - then it's worth calling professional carpet cleaners in your area and asking for quotations. Bear in mind that some of their charges may be high and so you may still decide that a home insurance claim is the best step forward.
However, with a home insurance claim it will usually be necessary to pay an excess - this is an amount you agree to pay towards a claim when taking out the policy. Your home insurance premiums may also be affected at renewal time once a claim has been made. Many home insurance providers will also send out a loss adjustor to assess whether a claim is truly necessary.
In addition, it's worth looking to see if your carpet comes with a warranty and whether you can make a claim on it rather than on your home insurance. Most warranties will insist that your carpet is professionally cleaned on a regular basis - usually at least once every 18 months.
How to avoid home insurance claims for carpet damage
While it is sensible to take out suitable home insurance for peace of mind in case an accident occurs, it's also wise to keep your carpet in the best possible condition and to be well prepared for spillages and other unfortunate events. Here are some tips:
- Keep your carpet in good condition with regular vacuuming to pick up any loose soils and dirt.
- Treat spills and stains straight away to prevent any permanent damage.
- Scrape up as much as possible using a spoon or item with a blunt edge to prevent the spill from spreading. If you have spilt a liquid, use a clean cloth or towel to blot it up and use plain warm water to dampen the spill without rubbing.
- In the cases of spilt alcohol, tea or fruit juice, pour lukewarm water on to the spillage area and blot until no more can be absorbed. Around an egg cup of neutral liquid detergent mixed with half a pint of lukewarm water could be poured on to the area before blotting again.
- In the cases of spilt paint, apply paintbrush restorer to a cloth and blot working in from the edge.
- If your carpet is damaged beyond repair then take a photograph and consult your home insurance provider as soon as possible. Wait for its assessment - it may want to send out a loss adjustor before disposing of the carpet.