What is working from home insurance?
The global Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way many of us work and with a significant number of office and other workers having to work from home during the lockdown, the implications for our home insurance policies need to be considered. The change to working from home for some will extend beyond the current restrictions, as many have found that they can work at home at least as efficiently as if they returned to the office.
So whether you are working from home temporarily while your employer or the Government have asked, or you have always worked from your home office, the impact of this work/life balance upon your house insurance should not be overlooked.
Working from home insurance provides cover for additional items and circumstances, such as home office equipment.
Why use working from home insurance?
Your household buildings and contents policy document might give you basic details of the extent of any cover you have for home-working, such as limits on computer equipment. The best way to find out whether your working from home is covered, either part-time or for the foreseeable future, is to ask your home insurance company or broker. Failure to do this might, in the event of an insurance claim, mean that your cover is invalidated and the claim could be declined.
There will be many who have always worked from home and these latest restrictions have not affected the way they work to as great an extent. If your home-working activities are purely clerical and comprise little more than working on your laptop in a home office, then your insurer might only note that you are at home during the working day and not make any substantial changes to your policy terms and conditions.
Many who have always worked from home and these latest restrictions have not affected the way they work to any great extent. If your home-working activities are purely clerical and comprise little more than working on your laptop in a home office, then your insurer might only note that you are at home during the working day and not make any substantial changes to your policy terms and conditions.
There are those whose business is based at home and who perhaps have visitors to their house in order to supply a service or product. Home-workers such as self-employed consultants, beauty therapists, car sales - the list is extensive and, in these cases,, insurers are likely to want more detailed information about the business and any equipment used on the premises that relate specifically to the business.
Homeworker insurance is available for most home-based jobs, whether self-employed, a franchisee, contractor or employed.
Who can use working from home insurance?
- Financial advisers
- Beauty therapists
- Professional consultants
- Home-based car sales
- Medical consultants
- Accountants and book-keepers
- Ebay and internet sales
- Home-based franchisees
- Home-based teachers
- Writers, script editors and translators
- Home-based web designers and developers
- Illustrators
- Home-based telephone services
What additional insurance cover might be needed for home workers?
Your insurer is likely to ask about the type of work you are doing from home, the value of any equipment or furniture that is used for your work, whether you have visitors to the house and also whether you are manufacturing or supplying any products, either to callers or by mail-order.
Depending upon your circumstances, your insurer might suggest an increase in the public liability cover within your existing home insurance policy, as well as employer's liability and product liability if these are appropriate. For those offering a professional service, professional indemnity insurance might also be necessary.
It is important that you tell your insurance company that you are working from home, in whatever capacity.
How can we help?
Fortunately, QuoteRack works closely with insurance brokers who can offer you access to specialised schemes offered by niche insurance companies looking to provide working from home insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Do I legally need working from home insurance?
Like regular home contents insurance, working from home insurance is not legally required. However, due to the increased time spent at home when working, a claim is more likely to be made.
Is working from home insurance expensive?
Working from home insurance is rarely expensive, on average only costing a few thousand more than regular home insurance. This, of course, entirely depends on your use case and individual circumstances.
If you would like to receive quotations for working from home insurance, simply click the 'Get a Quote' button to submit your details to insurance brokers who specialise in providing this type of household buildings and contents insurance.