A choice of excesses

An 'excess' is the amount that you must pay towards any claim you make. The higher the amount of excess you choose when you take out or renew your policy, the larger the discount you receive on your home insurance premium. Your excess will be displayed on your policy Schedule.

If you wish to have a lower excess for your buildings or contents insurance (which will increase your premium) or a higher excess (which will lower your premium), we will be happy to provide you with a revised quotation. Any excesses that apply to your additional cover options will not be affected.

Please see your policy Schedule for details of the excesses that apply to your policy as these may have changed.

Protecting your property

If you are unfortunate to suffer loss or damage to your property, your home insurance policy can help put things right. However, even settling a claim quickly may not compensate you for the worry and inconvenience you have suffered. In many cases, you can prevent loss or damage, so we have listed below some hints to help your protect your property.

Fire

• Make sure you have proper fire guards for any open fires
• Check all electrical and heating appliances regularly, especially if you use portable heaters
• Make sure you use the correct fuses and do not overload the circuits
• Switch off all power points when you are not using them and remove plugs from all wall sockets at night, especially television sets and electric blankets
• Make sure you get your electrical wiring checked from time to time
• Kitchens are a major source of fires, so always keep an extinguisher and a fire blanket handy for an emergency
• Never leave the room if you have a chip pan on
• Fit a smoke alarm. Carry out regular checks to make sure that the alarm is working.

Theft

• Fit good-quality locks to all your doors and windows
• Keep doors and windows locked, especially when you go out
• Fit a chain and 'door viewer' so you can check the identity of callers. (This is like a 'peep-hole' which lets you see callers without being seen.) Never let anyone into your home if they cannot prove their identity
• Leave a light on if you go out in the evening
• Close and lock your garage, shed and other outbuildings when you are not using them
• Lock away garden equipment and tools, especially ladders
• Do not leave keys outside your home
• When you go away, cancel all deliveries and ask a friend or neighbour to move letters off your doormat and keep an eye on your home
• Keep valuables out of sight.

Flood

• If you think a flood is likely, take as many of your possessions as possible upstairs.

Burst Pipes

• Lag all your water pipes and tanks that you can get to, not forgetting the loft
• If your pipes freeze, turn off the water at the mains and thaw them out slowly using hot water bottles. Never use a blowlamp or heater with a naked flame.

Valuations

• These can help keep your policy up to date by ensuring that your specified items are adequately covered. Finally, keep a detailed description and photographs of your property. If you do need to make a claim, this will help us handle your claim quickly and will also help the police in their investigations. If you need any more advice, we will be pleased to help.

Additional support

If your underground pipes or cables suffer damage, there is no need to panic. These events are covered by your Saga Home Insurance Policy, so one call to our claims line will see a qualified and reputable contractor sent out quickly to make the emergency repairs and carry out any necessary clean-up work.

In times of stress or worry you may feel that it would help to talk to someone. Saga provides a counselling helpline, which can provide advice over the telephone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.