I’m working from home - does this affect my home insurance policy?

Living

5 min read

Following the pandemic, more and more of us are working from home in some capacity, whether you’re a remote working employee, freelancer, or run your business from home. As it’s safe to say that working from home is likely to continue, it’s important to ensure that you have the right home insurance in place. Other types of insurance such as business and car insurance, may also be necessary.  

This blog will answer several common questions about how working from home can affect your insurance.

How can I protect the equipment I use to work from home?

If you work from home, it’s likely that you have a range of quality equipment that allows you to do so, such as a computer, monitor, laptop, sound systems, desk, or chair. Therefore, it’s recommended that you have these expensive belongings protected within your home insurance plan. Contents insurance covers the replacement of your belongings if they’ve been lost or stolen. For a more comprehensive cover, building and content insurance offers property and content protection within the one convenient package. If you’re unsure whether your current insurance covers all of your equipment, reach out to a member of our dedicated team.

Home insurance can also be boosted to include home emergency cover, which includes an emergency call-out to your home to carry out repairs up to the value of £500. This ensures that your working space will be adequately protected and ready to be worked in again following an unexpected incident such as a burst pipe, heating system failure, or loss of keys. 

Do I need business insurance if I’m working from home?

In some cases, it’s worth considering if you need business insurance on top of your existing home insurance. If you have stock or samples at home, for example, business insurance can be tailored to cover the risk of loss, theft, and damage. Business insurance can also protect against property damage and business interruption, giving you peace of mind that your home business won’t suffer should the worst happen. 

If your business has employees frequently coming to or working from your home, you should consider employer's liability insurance. If you often have clients or other members of the public visiting your property, it’s also important to consider public liability insurance. This will see you protected if a visitor has an accident whilst on your property. 

Does working from home affect my car insurance?

Working from home may mean less time spent on the road. In this case, it’s advisable to check your car insurance to see if your mileage has significantly reduced. If you find yourself driving less, it remains extremely important to carry out routine maintenance such as checking your tyres and ensuring your MOT is up to date. 

If you drive a car for business purposes, your insurance may have to be adjusted to cover this. Moreover, if you use a van for your business, you’ll need van insurance to keep you and your van safely on the road. 

When it comes to insurance, we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Regardless of how you work from home, we’re here to help you find the right policies that suit your specific needs. To start protecting all that’s involved in working from home, get in touch with the experts at AbbeyAutoline on 08000 66 55 44 or arrange a call back today.