Home Contents Insurance

stovequeen · Post by **stovequeen** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 3:08 pm

Does anyone have content insurance and lives in a share house situation?

I just rang to renew mine and my insurer advises me i can not take out a policy in a share house for my stuff unless:

a) my housemate/s property is also covered in my policy, or
b) my housemate/s property is covered by the same insurer, or
c) all the property i am insuring is in my room (i.e. not in common areas)

WTF? first i knew about this.. anyone have any similar experiences? can suggest a good insurance company?

TimmyG · Post by **TimmyG** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 3:15 pm

Yeah, I've had similar experiences. I had to have my housemate's name on my last insurance policy and we just split the monthly payments.

In my experience the cheapest insurance out there is CGU via the Vic Teachers Credit Union.

Ani · Post by **Ani** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 3:18 pm

I know nothing about all this, so will be interested to see how you solve the situation

(for future reference!)

Post by **Friday** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 3:19 pm

that sounds right to me sq...

i got the same kinda thing when i wanted to list my cd collection on my contents. i have around 1500 cds in my house, it was going to be mega expensive to insure so i told them i'd just insure about 700 of them.

but apparantly you can't insure part of 'a collection'. it's all or nothing. and if you get robbed and it turns out that you had more there than you actually told them the whole thing is void

it's the same kinda thing... everything in the house has to be covered full stop or else it's too susceptible to be questioned when something goes wrong...

apart from that though (which i think is standard anyway) my insurance co have been really easy to deal with. i'm just with the commonwealth bank insurance branch...

Polecat · Post by **Polecat** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 3:26 pm

we're with australian unity for our contents insurance. can you talk your housemate into getting some too? if your house get robbed, odds are you'll both get stuff stolen!

Lephrenic · Post by **Lephrenic** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:43 am

I really ought to get my music gear insured (that is, drums, cd/mixer setup and computer). But I wouldn't bother with home & contents myself. There's companies that do equipment insurance and I gather they're generally more flexible as far as in what circumstances something is stolen ie at the venue, from an unlocked car or whatever. Anyone else done this?

mixtress · Post by **mixtress** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 12:50 am

My sister used to work for Alliance (CGU) so I'll check it out with her.

stovequeen · Post by **stovequeen** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 11:01 am

The Mixtress wrote:My sister used to work for Alliance (CGU) so I'll check it out with her.

Thanks hun, that's who my house mate is insured with so looks like im gonna have to go in with her there.

Personally i would NEVER be without insurance.. i have had contents insurance for 16 years. I have also been the victim of three break in's.

Can't tell you how suck-full it is to experience a break in... although it was fun getting a cheque for $34k to spend on new audio eq. and music (that we has specially listed on our premium)

Lil MiSbreaks · Post by **Lil MiSbreaks** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 1:16 pm

Spot on Fi, ALWAYS get Insurance even tho its a pain in the arse - I work in Insurance and its really really shit how many peeps get robbed in this town. And sad as hell when you gotta tell someone that for their 400 cd's that went walking there getting $1500.00.

The rules are pretty much the same with all the big Insurers, differences in sub limits etc are the important bits.

Special Hegg - I dunno bout specialist equipment insurance but you can get additional features on home and contents for your stuff away from your house, like in your car. You just gotta read the fine print of the ultra exciting policy docs.

Post by **Friday** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 1:22 pm

i too would NEVER go without insurance...
i've haven't been robbed yet but i've heard so many terrible stories and i wouldn't want to risk that....

stovequeen · Post by **stovequeen** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 1:24 pm

Lil MiSbreaks wrote:Spot on Fi, ALWAYS get Insurance even tho its a pain in the arse - I work in Insurance and its really really shit how many peeps get robbed in this town. And sad as hell when you gotta tell someone that for their 400 cd's that went walking there getting $1500.00.

The rules are pretty much the same with all the big Insurers, differences in sub limits etc are the important bits.

Special Hegg - I dunno bout specialist equipment insurance but you can get additional features on home and contents for your stuff away from your house, like in your car. You just gotta read the fine print of the ultra exciting policy docs.

Fanks for your help

Yeah.. im gonna get my housemate to add me to her policy.. the only way i guess.. (like miss Friday.. they wont cover me for all my music)

Ag3nT[]0raNg3 · Post by **Ag3nT[]0raNg3** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 1:33 pm

i need to get some shit sorted.

have been robbed once in current house. not really a break in cos they walked in the wide open back door.

but my house is like a freaking fortress when locked up. bars and shet everywhere. theyd need an angle grinder.

stovequeen · Post by **stovequeen** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 1:44 pm

Ag3nT[]0raNg3 wrote:i need to get some shit sorted.

have been robbed once in current house. not really a break in cos they walked in the wide open back door.

but my house is like a freaking fortress when locked up. bars and shet everywhere. theyd need an angle grinder.

that doesn't mean anything if your house burns down bro. In an old house like that i would be worried... dodgy electrical and shit..

Post by **JAMESSSS** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 1:46 pm

stovequeen wrote:
Ag3nT[]0raNg3 wrote:i need to get some shit sorted.

have been robbed once in current house. not really a break in cos they walked in the wide open back door.

but my house is like a freaking fortress when locked up. bars and shet everywhere. theyd need an angle grinder.
that doesn't mean anything if your house burns down bro. In an old house like that i would be worried... dodgy electrical and shit..

Dunno what it's like over here, but in NZ if you cause the fire (iron left on, etc..) then you are PROPER FUCKED if you don't have insurance - cause the landlords insurer will come after you.

stovequeen · Post by **stovequeen** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 1:50 pm

jbs wrote:
stovequeen wrote:
Ag3nT[]0raNg3 wrote:i need to get some shit sorted.

have been robbed once in current house. not really a break in cos they walked in the wide open back door.

but my house is like a freaking fortress when locked up. bars and shet everywhere. theyd need an angle grinder.
that doesn't mean anything if your house burns down bro. In an old house like that i would be worried... dodgy electrical and shit..
Dunno what it's like over here, but in NZ if you cause the fire (iron left on, etc..) then you are PROPER FUCKED if you don't have insurance - cause the landlords insurer will come after you.

left stove on...

done that a few times...

Ag3nT[]0raNg3 · Post by **Ag3nT[]0raNg3** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 2:15 pm

stovequeen wrote:
Ag3nT[]0raNg3 wrote:i need to get some shit sorted.

have been robbed once in current house. not really a break in cos they walked in the wide open back door.

but my house is like a freaking fortress when locked up. bars and shet everywhere. theyd need an angle grinder.
that doesn't mean anything if your house burns down bro. In an old house like that i would be worried... dodgy electrical and shit..

my old old place on lygon caught fire. stinky plastic smoke from the fruit shop downstairs. and fire. oh the fire.

shite.

stovequeen · Post by **stovequeen** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 2:16 pm

vinyl melts quickly

Post by **breaksRbest** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 2:23 pm

I have a cover note insuring our contents until we can all afford the premium.

the other 2 geeza's are chipping in, as should your housemate Stovie.

Insurance is just another bloody expense, untill you get robbed, then it suddenly becomes the best money you've ever spent

great_magnet · Post by **great_magnet** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 2:30 pm

I have to admit I haven't had it for ages, laziness and sheer stupidity I guess. When I think about all the stuff that I could lose...

Fi, you've just inspired me to make it happen.

LMB, we need to talk!

stovequeen · Post by **stovequeen** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 4:09 pm

great_magnet wrote:I have to admit I haven't had it for ages, laziness and sheer stupidity I guess. When I think about all the stuff that I could lose...

Fi, you've just inspired me to make it happen.

LMB, we need to talk!

I'm glad dude.. it so not that much $. Think i was paying about $20 month for $60k cover.

great_magnet · Post by **great_magnet** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 4:35 pm

stovequeen wrote:
great_magnet wrote:I have to admit I haven't had it for ages, laziness and sheer stupidity I guess. When I think about all the stuff that I could lose...

Fi, you've just inspired me to make it happen.

LMB, we need to talk!
I'm glad dude.. it so not that much $. Think i was paying about $20 month for $60k cover.

Serious?

Fuck, that's so cheap. I need to sort this out ASAP..

Cheers Fi - I owe you a beer

or a jager

Post by **lynt** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:25 am

Currently sourcing new contents insurance. Apparently AAMI doesn't cover records.

Meh.

DBoy · Post by **DBoy** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:29 am

great_magnet wrote:
stovequeen wrote:
great_magnet wrote:I have to admit I haven't had it for ages, laziness and sheer stupidity I guess. When I think about all the stuff that I could lose...

Fi, you've just inspired me to make it happen.

LMB, we need to talk!
I'm glad dude.. it so not that much $. Think i was paying about $20 month for $60k cover.
Serious?

Fuck, that's so cheap. I need to sort this out ASAP..

Cheers Fi - I owe you a beer

or a jager

$20 a month? who with?

lilstormer · Post by **lilstormer** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:31 am

The only company that can get their head round share house insurance is RACV. I used to just insure my stuff in a share house with them. No one else wanted the cover at the time.

For speciality music and equipment insurance Marsh are a good company: marsh.com.au We insure our decks etc with them, all risks and accidental damage. ie if they get nicked out of the car in transit or at a gig they are covered. It's a lil bit expensive but great if you;ve got gear that you take outside of the house a bit.

note to self: must insure home contents

Post by **Friday** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:31 am

yeah - as i said above i had to list my music collection as an extra on my insurance.

at first they asked me to write an inventory of evey album title and it's value

i explained to them how long that would take an how unreasonable it was and in the end they agreed to just insure it as a bulk for an extra fee each year. i think i pay about an extra $100 a year to cover all my music...

Post by **lynt** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:33 am

Someone's gotta do it for tha DJ's! Won't anyone think of the DJ's!?

gnat · Post by **gnat** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:15 pm

I'm with CGU and it's $36 a month for 70K cover inc added policy for extra CD's.

$20 seems very cheap- do it!

GM, I cannot believ that you would not have contents insurance- wtf?

Post by **lynt** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:17 pm

Will give CGU a bell.

AAMI - no roaming insurance for records. "Out of our policy threshold" aka.. we do tradies, but not Dj's.

NRMA - no roaming for Dj's, same as AAMI. Will cover the collection but it's gonna cost you a shit load.

Still on the hunt.

Polecat · Post by **Polecat** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:20 pm

Did we work out yet which company does 60K cover for $20/month. I'm paying way more than that for less! Could be time to switch.

lilstormer · Post by **lilstormer** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:24 pm

lynt wrote:Will give CGU a bell.

AAMI - no roaming insurance for records. "Out of our policy threshold" aka.. we do tradies, but not Dj's.

NRMA - no roaming for Dj's, same as AAMI. Will cover the collection but it's gonna cost you a shit load.

Still on the hunt.

try marsh: marsh.com.au

DBoy · Post by **DBoy** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:53 pm

Polecat wrote:Did we work out yet which company does 60K cover for $20/month. I'm paying way more than that for less! Could be time to switch.

Only thing I can think of is if the excess is through the roof?

mrj · Post by **mrj** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:58 pm

lynt wrote:Will give CGU a bell.

AAMI - no roaming insurance for records. "Out of our policy threshold" aka.. we do tradies, but not Dj's.

NRMA - no roaming for Dj's, same as AAMI. Will cover the collection but it's gonna cost you a shit load.

Still on the hunt.

I used to work for Aviva former parent of CGU before IAG, and from memory CGU roaming is pretty comprehensive.

great_magnet · Post by **great_magnet** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 1:07 pm

gnat wrote:I'm with CGU and it's $36 a month for 70K cover inc added policy for extra CD's.

$20 seems very cheap- do it!

GM, I cannot believ that you would not have contents insurance- wtf?

I do now Natty, same policy as you, including all music and music-related equipment.

Rob M · Post by **Rob M** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 1:30 pm

just a quickie if anyone knows, do you value your stuff to the insurer with depreciation, or without?

like lets say for example you got a 'puter you paid $1500 in 2003, would it still be that value if it got robbed in 2006?

DBoy · Post by **DBoy** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 1:35 pm

I think that is flexible in some ways?? You over value your stuff, you have to pay more anyways, so it's a fine line. I tended to value it in the middle.

yenks · Post by **yenks** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 2:06 pm

Rob M wrote:just a quickie if anyone knows, do you value your stuff to the insurer with depreciation, or without?

like lets say for example you got a 'puter you paid $1500 in 2003, would it still be that value if it got robbed in 2006?

depends on ur policy i think rob..

but for me, i had 2 laptops just stolen (im with Alliance Australia). And one of these laptops was a peice of shit, it was over 5 years old and i had it next to my decks just to chuck samples on and shit. I had been trying to sell it on ebay for $400 and no one would take it.
Then after my robbery the closest model they could find to it was another Acer valued at $2200 .... because that was the most equivalent model (as in this was the shittest acer they could find)

I was like...hmm farking score !!!
got an extra 1800 bucks to spend on other junk..
i ended up just settling with 1 beefy laptop replacement and a wicked 24inch Widescreen LCD Dell Monitor... and lots of other shit.
cant wait till they arrive !

Polecat · Post by **Polecat** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 5:14 pm

DBoy wrote:
Polecat wrote:Did we work out yet which company does 60K cover for $20/month. I'm paying way more than that for less! Could be time to switch.
Only thing I can think of is if the excess is through the roof?

Oh! That is true. I'd forgotten about that. In our house we chose to go for a low excess so that we're not stung when feeling shitty after a breakin.

spacey · Post by **spacey** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 5:26 pm

i work for aami insurance, hit me up pm style if you need to know anything.

ill be happy to help, if i can...

We wont insure rekkids if they are used to earn any kind of income, yeah lame i know.

We also do new for old, so if you have a pc you paid 1500 for in 2003 we would replace it new.

If you have a cd collection you have to insure it as a 'collection' anything over 30 cd's is a collection. Wont cost you more on your policy, it will just mean that its 'specified' so you will need to provide proof of what tunes you have.

Direkt · Post by **Direkt** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 5:26 pm

Hmmm.... I need to get some insurance me thinks.

Got a safe house, security entrance - second floor etc.

Would be hugely shattered if I had stuff stolen - to the point I'd probably throw the towel in.

dust · Post by **dust** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 5:31 pm

spacey wrote:i work for aami insurance, hit me up pm style if you need to know anything.

You guys are the best, seriously.

I phoned around for ages re: car insurance and finally settled with GIO because the lady talked at me for about an hour and i couldn't understand her nonsense, so thought she was telling me the truth.

Then I called AAMI to another perspective and they gave me rating one for life (even though i'd been overseas for a few years and hadn't been on a policy the whole time) and they came in about $40 a month cheaper!!

I should be on your ad or something.

mixtress · Post by **mixtress** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 5:32 pm

I like Chris Rock's take on insurance.

Says he's happy to pay premium prices if shit happens, but if nothing happens over that year, you should get your cazash back.

It's crazy that insurance companies get SOOOO much money for absolutely nothing at all. Worse still, when you need to claim they're all about finding ways for them not to give you a pay out.

But geez, how broken would you feel if someone stole your prized shit out of your very own house. I had 50 plates stolen from my car a few years back and I'm STILL not over it!

PahMaLa · Post by **PahMaLa** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 6:36 pm

Man house and contents is another extra expense I have to start thinking about soon too. ick.

stovequeen · Post by **stovequeen** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:45 pm

Guys.. please remember... even if you think your place is secure...

Dont forget about FIRE...

Insurance is essential [stop]

spacey · Post by **spacey** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:48 pm

I know im bias but it is a very small price to pay when you think of all the things that can happen to your shit, fire, storm, something exploding, theft, someone trashing your shit. And how much it would cost to replace EVERYTHING in your home.

Izza · Post by **Izza** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 7:39 am

Our policy covers for items that may be lost outside of the home like a digi camera, gotta pay a bit extra for it but worth it for me.
Through westpac.

Polecat · Post by **Polecat** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 12:38 pm

One of my workmates was checking her home and contents insurance policy last week. She lives in Kinglake! Once she was cool with her insurance values, she left her house as she didn't think it was worth the stress of staying there until like one of my other workmates.

The fire came so close to her house that it burnt up all of her yard and then stopped when a rain shower came.

Post by **lynt** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 12:51 pm

CGU won't insure me because there are 3 people in my flat who are all unrelated.

Bastards.

stovequeen · Post by **stovequeen** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 1:00 pm

lynt wrote:CGU won't insure me because there are 3 people in my flat who are all unrelated.

Bastards.

yup.. same with us. So we combined our policies on to one, in just one name to cover all our stuff

Post by **lynt** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 1:04 pm

Hmmm maybe they thought I wanted 3 names on the one policy. My flatties aren't interested so I'm going solo.

stovequeen · Post by **stovequeen** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 1:07 pm

lynt wrote:Hmmm maybe they thought I wanted 3 names on the one policy. My flatties aren't interested so I'm going solo.

meh.. then its gonna be tough.. unless you just say you live there alone.. and hope that no 'accident' is as a result of one of them..?