Many car insurance products include Personal Belongings cover as standard.

Not every policy includes this cover so it is important to ask before proceeding with a new car insurance policy.

But what is personal belongings cover on a car insurance policy?

This is an additional cover that allows for loss or damage to personal effects in the event of a fire, theft or accidental means.

Policy wordings may vary, but here are a few examples:

Prestige car insurance policy:
We will pay up to an amount of €130 for any one occurrence for any loss of or damage to rugs, clothing and personal effects occurring in the car by fire, theft or accidental means.
Payment may, at your request be made direct to the owner of such property whose signed receipt will then be adequate discharge to us.
We will not pay for
a) money etc
b) goods in connection with a business.

Travelers car insurance policy:
We will pay you (or if you request the owner of the property) for the loss of or damage as a result of fire, theft or accident to personal belongings which are in or on the insured vehicle, subject to:
1. €300 limit.
2. goods must be in locked boot.
3. for money & other specified items.
4. goods in connection with a business.
(subject to further terms and conditions as outlined in the policy)

Sertus car insurance policy:
We will indemnify you against loss of or damage to personal effects while locked into the boot of your car, by fire or theft or attempted theft or by accidental means or at your request we will indemnify the owner of the lost or damaged property provided that:
1) Our liability under this extension shall be limited to €125 for any one item and €500 in total for any occurrence.
2) We shall not be liable for loss or damage to
a) money, stamps, tickets, documents, or securities
b) Good or samples carried in connection with any trade or business.

Zurich car insurance policy:
We will pay up to €400 for loss of or damage to any sports equipment and clothing caused by accident, fire, theft or attempted theft following forcible entry, whilst in the insured vehicle.
When the insured vehicle is unattended the sports equipment and or clothing must be concealed in a glove compartment or boot and the vehicle must be locked.
Any claim in respect of such loss or damage shall not effect the no claim discount and any excess stated in the schedule shall not apply in this cover.

Allianz Autoplus private motor policy:
We will pay you or at your request such other person as may be the owner of the property for loss of or damage to personal effects and clothing while in or on your car by fire or theft (or attempted thereat) or by accidental means.

Provided that:
1. total liability limited to €200 in respect of any one occurrence.
2. payment to any other person shall be subject to that person observing policy terms and conditions etc
3. no payment will be made for a) money, stamps, tickets, documents or securities b) goods or samples in connection with any business c) any property unless stored in a
locked boot or closed compartment of your car.

Claims payments made under sections B.C.D above will be without application of the excess or impact on No Claims Discount.

NOTE
The wordings reviewed show that only certain insurers agree not reduce your ‘no claims bonus’ as a result of a claim under this section.

This leaves the question:-
What is the point in giving this cover if it affects the earned ‘no claims bonus’?
The cover is very limited so the max that you can expect to received is a couple of hundred euro and the deletion of your no claims bonus at renewal will mean that your premium will increase by this amount in any case. (The only benefit in this case would be to submit your claim for belongings as part of a bigger claim for a stolen or damaged vehicle)

If you would like a competitive car insurance quotation, log on to www.easyquote.ie or call us on 1890-399-399. We provide competitive insurance products for over 25s & an exceptional level of customer service.

EasyQuote.ie provide you with excellent, personal service that you won’t get from other large insurers. We provide a massive range of quality AND value car insurance cover policies from multiple insurers, insurance for young drivers and a large range of tailored, quality and value commercial insurance policies.

This document is intended as a guide only. Insurance companies change the terms and conditions of their policy wording on a continual basis. It is imperative that you read the terms and conditions of your policy document.

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