Festive celebrations with family and friends make summer one of the busiest and most enjoyable times of the year. But unfortunately, it also means an increase in storms, break-ins and road accidents.
While we don’t like to think about it, what would you do if things go pear-shaped? And more importantly, do you have the right cover in place to protect you from the unexpected?
“Take some time now to think about where you are going, what you will be doing and what type of insurance protection you require. The cheapest policy may not offer the best cover.”
– Rob Whelan, CEO Insurance Council of Australia
Let’s take a look at the areas you should consider when deciding whether your current insurance policies are up to scratch…
Home and Contents Insurance
Protect your possessions
Santa Claus may not be the only one planning to visit your home this Christmas. Break-ins are at an all-time high at this time of the year, with a lot of houses left unattended while unsuspecting families take their long-awaited holidays. In the unfortunate event of a robbery, ensure your family’s Christmas gifts, big-ticket purchases from Boxing Day sales and other household items are insured with a relevant insurance policy cover.
Prepare for the unthinkable
Summer in Australia can be amazing, but it is also a time when we are most vulnerable to extreme weather events such as storms, floods and fires. Queensland residents in particular need to be prepared for “storm season”, which runs from December – February. The recent storms that hammered Brisbane and the surrounding suburbs are evidence of the devastation to homes and properties that this kind of weather can cause.
Make sure you aren’t left under-insured. Insurance policies vary in their inclusions, so make sure yours covers these events in case your home was to sustain damage. Check your current policy covers the correct amount for your home and contents to adequately recover your damages.
Car Insurance
Theft
Robbers who target homes may also set their sights on another asset: your car! Make sure you have a car insurance policy that will see you swiftly back on the road in the event of a car theft.
Accidents
Even for the most organised shoppers, the lead up to Christmas is going to involve inevitable dashes to the shopping centre for gifts, food and other festive preparation. Shopping centre car parks can become overly congested with stressed shoppers, and accidents happen. There is also a lot more traffic on the roads over the Christmas holidays, meaning the likelihood of accidents is increased. Make sure you’ve reviewed what your car is insured for if it becomes a total write-off, and also be sure to check what drivers are covered on your policy.
The Bottom Line
This summer, take some downtime from the festive scene to review your insurance policies. Most have a variety of optional extras so it’s worth assessing which ones you should have to ensure your level of cover is adequate for your needs. And most importantly make sure your insurance policy is going to cover the unexpected and help you protect the things that matter most.
Are you covered? Find out more about insurance products available through MOVE Bank here, or call one of our friendly consultants on 1300 362 216 for a policy review.
Insurance issued by Insurance Australia Limited ABN 11 000 016 722 trading as CGU Insurance. Any advice is general only. Consider the relevant PDS available from cgu.com.au to see if a product is right for you.
This blog post is for general information purposes only and is not intended as financial or professional advice. It does not have regard to the financial situation or needs of any reader and must not be relied upon as financial product or other professional advice. You should seek your own independent financial, legal and taxation advice before making any decision about any action in relation to the material in this article. Railways Credit Union Limited trading as MOVE Bank ABN 91 087 651 090. AFSL/ Australian Credit License number 234 536 | ABN 91 087 651
