| Listening to an expert talk about anything can be | | | | 7. Exclusion - All home insurance companies will |
| incredibly daunting and baffling these days. There | | | | specify property and occurrences that a |
| are specialist terms for everything in the financial | | | | policyholder cannot claim on. These are the |
| industry, even for the most simple of things, and | | | | exclusions. |
| that routinely means that a consumer rarely | | | | 8. High-risk items - Belongings that are of a high |
| understands exactly what he or she is signing or | | | | monetary value and are more likely to get stolen. |
| getting into. This is unfair because most jargon | | | | This includes televisions, jewellery, art, computers |
| could easily be phrased in layman's terms for | | | | and so on. |
| everybody to understand. However, help is now | | | | 9. Household - Home insurance companies define |
| at hand with homeowners insurance explained | | | | household as everyone living under the one roof, |
| below. With this jargon buster, you'll beat the | | | | from adults to children to pets. |
| home insurance companies by understanding | | | | 10. Liability - Accepting liability is taking |
| every word they say: | | | | responsibility for damage to your or someone |
| 1. Accidental damage - Visible or internal damage | | | | else's person or property. |
| to property that home insurance companies deem | | | | 11. Loss Adjuster - This is an individual employed |
| to be created accidentally. For example, ripping | | | | on an independent basis by a home insurance |
| sofa upholstery is covered, but pet damage is | | | | company to assess a claim and determine the |
| not. | | | | amount that will settle it. He or she will negotiate |
| 2. Buildings - A policy offered by home insurance | | | | with both the home insurance company and the |
| companies that covers the structure and fittings | | | | policyholder who has claimed. |
| of your house, any outbuildings, swimming pools | | | | 12. Sum Insured - This is the figure or amount |
| and so on. | | | | that your property is actually insured for. |
| 3. Claim - A claim is made when you report lost, | | | | However, if there are limits imposed by the home |
| stolen or damaged items and seek a settlement | | | | insurance companies, it is also the maximum that |
| in order to replace them. | | | | will be paid out for each individual claim. |
| 4. Condition - The part of the policy printed by | | | | 13. Underwriter - This is the individual or individuals |
| the home insurance companies that stipulates the | | | | within the home insurance companies that actively |
| rules that have to be adhered to in order for you | | | | assess your application against the risk they would |
| to keep the policy in force. | | | | be taking by insuring you. That assessment is |
| 5. Contents - A policy that covers your belongings | | | | then how much your premium, or payment for |
| and non-structural property against loss, theft and | | | | cover, will be. |
| damage. | | | | 14. Unoccupied - This is a term used to describe |
| 6. Excess - The amount of money that you will | | | | your home if is left standing empty for more |
| need to cover in order to make a successful | | | | than 30 consecutive days out of the year. |
| claim from the home insurance companies. | | | | |