Insurance

[norrahe]

Was wondering if anyone knew of the technicalities of insuring office equipment and also the implications of having a home office on home insurance policies?

[northernladuk]

I know for a fact my home insurance specifically excludes any kind of business activities in my home. I rang them and made them aware I use an office which they were ok with and didn't cause a problem with my policy (my LTD is not registered at my home either).

The only problem would be that none of the business kit would be covered. A study, desk, pc's filing etc is acceptable as it doesn't mean it is a business.

I have the above that are worth next to nothing so haven't bothered with any extra insurance and happy with the knowledge at the worst case if they won't pay for them then fair enough.

HTH

[norrahe]

Need to change where my company is registered.

But with regards to laptops and printers, would, even though they belong to the company are they still covered by the home insurance?

[TykeMerc]

Need to change where my company is registered.

But with regards to laptops and printers, would, even though they belong to the company are they still covered by the home insurance?

If, in the event of a claim, it became apparent to the insurance company that the kit belonged to your company you could easily be on a sticky wicket as that would be an excuse for them to refuse to pay out.

[singhr]

Need to change where my company is registered.

But with regards to laptops and printers, would, even though they belong to the company are they still covered by the home insurance?

pronto

[Frogstomp]

Need to change where my company is registered.

Why would this be the case? Surely the company registered address is just a convenient address for correspondence and not necessarily indicative of the actual place that business is carried out?

[Jeebo72]

Yip, my work address is my home, and I've made my home insurance aware. You won't be covered for anything that is owned by the business. If any damage was caused by your business practises that is also an issue.

If however the receipt for damaged goods only has your name on it ... ahem ... but that's up to you... i'm sure some people will point out the issues.

[RichardCranium]

I used to use Pennine Insurance, then Hiscox (who I won't use ever again thanks to the way they treated me) for business contents insurance. Both did a SOHO policy.

When Hiscox rudely told me to clear off, I shopped around for specialist insurance at first but then discovered a lot of everyday, normal, high street insurers now recognise that everyone has a company laptop and company mobile and company paperwork etc. at home and so any will cover business stuff at home in a domestic policy.

I ended up going with some obscure outfit you'll never have heard of. Barclays.

The property to be insured:
* Isn’t used for business, except for home/office work that requires no employees or visitors

I explained it was my registered office and that I had a dedicated room as an office used for paperwork and accounts. They didn't bat an eyelid and said that is perfectly normal these days.

I did make a point of giving them an itemised list of LtdCo stuff so there would be no arguments later (n PCs, printers, manuals, software, boxes of bits, stationery, etc.)

[RichardCranium]

Incidentally, I did say to Barclays that it was not just incidental paperwork, sometimes I would be on the bench and using this stuff all day. The bloke said words to the effect of: "No contents insurance company is ever going to be upset at somebody being at home all day!"

[ratewhore]

I've used Halifax in the past who have covered business equipment...