Home Insurance

[Mike T]

I'm in the process of getting quotes to renew. I found a great policy (Policy Expert) which covers everything you can think of - yet specifically excludes model aircraft from "contents" or even the All risks" cover. I tried speaking to them to clarify that they were to be insured just as possessions, not for their use, but they wouldn't budge.

So I tried another couple of outfits (Legal & General; esure) - same exclusions.

Then I checked my existing policy (Privilege), which I thought was OK, until I got to the bit about excluding vehicles - which included motor powered toys and - "model aircraft and drones".

So it seems impossible to get cover for our 'toys' while they are in the home.

Does anyone know of insurers who will provide this cover? It's a bit worrying - I suggest you all check the small print in your own policies...

[BackinBlack]

My current policy with Direct Line doesn't appear to exclude model aircraft, extract from Policy:

Your personal possessions are covered for

✔ Accidental loss and damage

We will pay for accidental loss of or damage to:

• your personal possessions

• any other items listed on your schedule under ‘Personal possessions’ while they are within the British Isles. This includes cover for:

• possessions stolen from your unattended vehicle, but only if the vehicle is locked and your possessions are hidden from view in a closed glove compartment or locked boot.

• loss or damage to bicycle tyres and accessories, but only if the bicycle is lost or damaged at the same time.

• the theft of an unattended bicycle, but only if it is in a locked building or secured with a bike lock to an immovable object.

Your personal possessions aren’t covered for

✘ We don’t pay for loss of or damage to:

• business equipment

• vehicles

• watercraft propelled by hand (such as a surfboard or rowing boat)

• sports equipment while it is in use

• camping equipment while it is set up or in use

• items taken by Customs or other officials • any bicycle while it is being used for organised racing, pace-making or trials

• Money. You may have cover under Section 3B Money.

✘ We also don’t pay for loss or damage:

• for theft involving deception

• by any paying guest or tenant

• covered under Section 2A.

Best to check directly with them.

[cymaz]

Good topic...must go and check my policy.

I would expect Dierct Line to try and not pay out if the models were in the back of a locked estate car with the back seats s down.

Edited By cymaz on 06/12/2018 17:00:03

[BackinBlack]

Posted by cymaz on 06/12/2018 16:58:05:

Good topic...must go and check my policy.

I would expect Dierct Line to try and not pay out if the models were in the back of a locked estate car with the back seats s down.

Edited By cymaz on 06/12/2018 17:00:03

Haven't yet tested it, fingers crossed I don't have to.

As we all know, Insurance covers everything - until you make a claim.

[Mike T]

I'll take a look at DL's policy wording.

Beware though, the exclusion may pop up under another section - mine excluded models under the umbrella of 'vehicles'. If you saw vehicles under the Contents exclusions, you might not think it referred to model aircraft as well, but in my case it did!

Annoyingly, 'model watercraft' were excluded from the exclusion (if you see what I mean). So a model boat in my garage is covered, but a model aircraft is not. Barking...

[Stuart Z]

Hi

Has anyone taken out a separate policy, if it can be found ?

S

[BackinBlack]

Perhaps it could be an add-on to the BMFA or LMA Insurances?

I suppose that from an Insurance Assessors pint of view establishing the cause of loss or damage would be a consideration, fire or theft should be straightforward, but accidental damage might prove contentious.

[Cuban8]

The insurance companies talk about 'personal possessions', but one must be careful what constitutes that description and you need to be clear how what you own will be affected. For instance, you would need special cover for a valuable artwork, that is still a 'personal possession'.

[David P Williams]

Walker Midgeley Insurance Brokers used to offer specialist select insurance cover for Modellers and Model Engineers, covering Models, Ancillary Equipment, Road Trailers, Home workshop etc. They always had a stand at the London Model Engineering Exhibition.

However, their website seems to have changed significantly since I last looked, and I can't find any reference to this now, although they may still offer it.

[Mike T]

Posted by BackinBlack on 06/12/2018 16:12:09:

My current policy with Direct Line doesn't appear to exclude model aircraft, extract from Policy:

Your personal possessions are covered for

✔ Accidental loss and damage

We will pay for accidental loss of or damage to:

• your personal possessions

• any other items listed on your schedule under ‘Personal possessions’ while they are within the British Isles. This includes cover for:

• possessions stolen from your unattended vehicle, but only if the vehicle is locked and your possessions are hidden from view in a closed glove compartment or locked boot.

• loss or damage to bicycle tyres and accessories, but only if the bicycle is lost or damaged at the same time.

• the theft of an unattended bicycle, but only if it is in a locked building or secured with a bike lock to an immovable object.

Your personal possessions aren’t covered for

✘ We don’t pay for loss of or damage to:

• business equipment

• vehicles

• watercraft propelled by hand (such as a surfboard or rowing boat)

• sports equipment while it is in use

• camping equipment while it is set up or in use

• items taken by Customs or other officials • any bicycle while it is being used for organised racing, pace-making or trials

• Money. You may have cover under Section 3B Money.

✘ We also don’t pay for loss or damage:

• for theft involving deception

• by any paying guest or tenant

• covered under Section 2A.

Best to check directly with them.

Check page 38 of DL's policy for a definition of Vehicles:

Any vehicle or toy propelled by a motor of any kind, caravans, trailers, hovercraft, aircraft, watercraft, land yacht, wind powered or assisted vehicles, as well as any of their keys, key-fobs, parts and accessories (except for removable entertainment or navigation equipment while it is removed from the vehicle)

✘ But not the following while being used for their intended purpose and by a person for whom they were designed:

• ride-on lawnmowers

• electrically powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters

• electrically powered children’s ride on toys

• electrically assisted bicycles

• pedestrian controlled electrically powered golf trolleys

• model watercraft

• hand-propelled watercraft (such as a surfboard or rowing boat).

[BackinBlack]

Damn, I stand corrected. I should have known to thoroughly read ALL the document.

I wonder how other model engineers, say those who build steam locos, do for insurance?

[Steve Dunne]

I have been insured by Privilege Home Insurance for several years - very competitive premiums. I have just re-read the legalese and found:

Your personal possessions aren’t

covered for...

We

don’t pay for loss of or damage to:

•

...

model aircraft or drones

while they are being used

....

•...

This is a resonable exception - they don't insure model aircraft while they are being used.

There is also an exception in the personal liability section for damage caused by owning, keeping or using drones or model aircraft. Quite reasonable.

The model aircraft themselves are insured against normal accident, fire, theft etc. while they are in the building, or hidden in a locked vehicle.

Steve.

[PeterF]

Walker Midgley were still running the model engineering insurance in August 2018 when my renewal came through. You probably need to contact them direct by phone or email, I believe I called them to set my policy up initially as there is nothing on the website.

SUITE 6D, THE BALANCE,
2 PINFOLD STREET,
SHEFFIELD
S1 2GU

[email protected]

0114 250 2770

OPENING TIMES
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm

[Martin Harris - Moderator]

A well timed thread - while getting a quote from NFU Mutual today, I established that they would be happy to cover my transmitter as a specified personal item outside of my home.

[Mike T]

Posted by Steve Dunne on 07/12/2018 20:13:43:

I have been insured by Privilege Home Insurance for several years - very competitive premiums. I have just re-read the legalese and found:

Your personal possessions aren’t

covered for...

 

We

 

don’t pay for loss of or damage to:

•

...

model aircraft or drones

while they are being used

....

•...

This is a resonable exception - they don't insure model aircraft while they are being used.

There is also an exception in the personal liability section for damage caused by owning, keeping or using drones or model aircraft. Quite reasonable.

 

The model aircraft themselves are insured against normal accident, fire, theft etc. while they are in the building, or hidden in a locked vehicle.

 

Steve.

I agree about the personal liability element - perfectly reasonable to exclude as we have this cover through the BMFA (or others...).

However, I re-read my policy booklet ('platinum' ) yet again and can find no such reference to 'model aircraft'. So I spoke to the insurers who confirmed that under their definitions, if my hobby was sailing model boats, I'd be laughing, but as an aeroplane flyer, I'm out!

Seriously guys - CHECK YOUR POLICIES - and if yours has the cover I'm looking for, please flag it up here. Meanwhile, I'm going to call Walker Midgeley...

 

PS - Helpful guy at W-M is emailing me a proposal form, but it seems the insurance is for specific listed items...

Edited By Mike T on 13/12/2018 16:48:42

[Denis Watkins]

Highlighted in 2016 Lads

**LINK**

[Mike T]

Denis, that link is to a thread concerning the 3rd party liability cover under your home policy, which section now routinely excludes cover where you own*or operate a drone, model aircraft etc. This is not a problem where you have BMFA/FPV-UK/LMA insurance, which covers that risk.

What I'm highlighting is that policies now routinely exclude your aircraft and accessories (e.g. your Tx) from cover under your contents policy. So if you get burgled and you have a yacht and a plane nicked, your yacht is covered, your plane is not.

That Spektrum DX8 you've got? If you sail model boats and it gets nicked, you're covered. The exact same tranny, when used to fly your model aircraft - maybe not...

*I can understand the exclusion while operating a model, but I'm struggling to see in what circumstances a 3PL claim could be refused merely because I owned one?

[Sam Longley]

I am insured with Hiscocks. I have public liability which does include flying model planes( plus my wife playing golf) I have had this confirmed by email

It also includes ( Because I had it added) £ 10,000 cover for items in my locked workshops except my sailing gear, winsurfing gear & my dinghy, which is covered by my sailing policy). It includes my lathe, mill, tools etc plus all modelling gear. IThis is theft but if a fire then it is included with my contents which is unlimited as is the property value. Bikes etc are covered on top of the £10K, whether in the sheds at home or away.

General excess £ 500-00 ( my choice because I do not want to loose any excess over a small claim) , Flood risk has a £2500-00 excess though

Home & contents are unlimited

 

Edited By Sam Longley on 14/12/2018 13:32:08

[Mike T]

Just to close this off, I finally found a policy with LV (liverpool Victoria) under which contents in outbuildings are treated as part of the home and with no silly restrictions or definitions around 'aircraft'. Twenty quid less than the Privilege renewal...

Sam - thanks for the lead: I tried Hiscox, but after 4 pages, their system decided they didn't want my business!

I also tried Walker Midgeley and they sent me the proposal form. The costs are modest, so it's something I'll consider well before renewal for next year.

I have to say I'm disappointed with the limited responses. I'd have thought this was a topic of some concern to all forum members...

[Denis Watkins]

Posted by Mike T on 05/01/2019 13:40:02:

I have to say I'm disappointed with the limited responses. I'd have thought this was a topic of some concern to all forum members...

I think the limited response is a spin off of the fact that most of our gear is expendable Mike

The day we buy it, the value is halved if we sell it

It can fly away into the blue yonder, and, in the blink of an eye, it can smash into the ground.

I fear insurers ignore us now due to the high fire risk

[Robert Welford]

I'm currently renewing my house and contents insurance to include detached garage/workshop building and contents: tools; model aircraft etc.

Out of interest what sort of premium are people paying for this sort of cover?

BTW I've just 'phoned Walker Midgley and they will insure model aircraft at home and in transit for £10.33 per £1000 (minimum £2000) plus £6.25 setup fee.