Ellis David’s Christmas Insurance FAQs

In the run-up to the Christmas holiday season, we often get customers calling us to ask about whether they need to change or update their policies to account for an increased level of risk over the winter months. And it’s true, with so much to think about at Christmas, from buying presents to organising the Christmas dinner and decorating the home, many homeowners simply forget that the holiday season can significantly impact the insurance that they need.

We’ve rounded up our most commonly received questions relating to contents insurance around Christmas time. These may help you decide whether you need to alert your insurer or get in touch with a broker like Ellis David to discuss the best policy options based on your risk.

Do you need to tell your insurer if you buy an expensive Christmas present?

Whether or not you need to tell your insurer about a high value Christmas present depends on both your current home insurance policy and the value of the gift itself. Within your contents insurance policy, insurers often (but not always) offer increased insured sums to cover loss or damage to contents. This includes cover for arts, antiques, jewellery and watches that are newly purchased, (whether for Christmas, birthdays or any other reason). However, this increase in coverage may still not be enough – especially if the gift is of particularly high value.

Should you be buying a high value gift this Christmas we strongly suggest giving our team at Ellis David a call. Whether it’s jewellery, art, an antique or a watch, our team can give you professional advice and ensure that your policy covers your newly-bought gifts.

Is there more risk associated with Christmas time?

Many home contents insurers will provide a temporary increase to the insured value of your contents during the holiday season. This is not surprising, as the statistics show that there is an increased risk of some unfortunate eventualities around Christmas time. For example, there are an increased number of burglaries that take place in December and January. This is because criminals are aware that there tends to be brand new items, often of high value, in people’s homes at this time of year.

It is also worth noting that there are statistically more house fires over the Christmas period. This is usually the result of using Christmas lights, candles, fireworks, open fires or an increased number of electronics.

As mentioned above, some insurers may temporarily increase your level of cover to account for gifts bought at this time of year, but it is important to check whether your policy does this and that the amount of cover is enough to protect items that you have bought. The increased risk of fire and burglary puts your contents, including those high value, newly purchased gifts, at greater risk. Because of this, it is very important that you notify your broker or insurance provider to arrange additional cover for your increased amounts of contents and high value items in the house.

If I’m on holiday over the Christmas period or my home is empty, should I notify my insurer?

If you are jetting off on a long holiday or your home will be empty for a prolonged period of time, then it is important to notify your insurer.

Although your insurance provider does not expect you to be in your home all year round, many will need to be notified if your property is going to be empty for 30-days or more. In fact, some insurers will not be willing to offer you cover if your property is empty for more than this 30-day period.

So should you be away for that long, notify your insurer or our team here at Ellis David beforehand. We will be able to advise you on whether your policy will need to be updated or changed to an alternative policy. Get in touch today for a quote.

Have you ever been convicted of any offences involving fraud, theft, false accounting or other dishonesty or an offence (whether or not in the United Kingdom) relating to companies, building societies industrial and provident societies, credit unions, friendly societies, insurance banking or other financial services, insolvency consumer credit or consumer protections, money laundering, market manipulations or insider dealing? (required)	YesNo
Are you the subject of any current criminal proceedings? (required)	YesNo
Have you any convictions for any offences other than those listed in question 1 a) above which are not spent, whether or not in the United Kingdom (excluding traffic offences unless these resulted in a ban from driving or involved driving without insurance)? (required)	YesNo
Are you or have you ever been the subject of any civil proceedings, arbitration or litigation, including proceedings that resulted in a County Court Judgment (CCJ) or other judgement debts, in the United Kingdom or elsewhere? (required)	YesNo
Are you aware of any intention to begin such proceedings against you in the future? (required)	YesNo
Do you have any judgement debts (including CCJs) made under a court order still outstanding, whether in full or in part? (required)	YesNo
Have you ever failed to satisfy any such judgement debts within one year of making of the order (required)	YesNo
Are you or have you ever been, the subject of any bankruptcy proceedings, or proceedings for the sequestration of your estate? (required)	YesNo
Have you ever entered into a deed of arrangement or an individual voluntary arrangement (or in Scotland a trust deed) or other agreement in favour of your creditors, or are you doing so? (required)	YesNo
Have you ever been found guilty of conducting any unauthorised regulated activities or been investigated for possible conduct of unauthorised regulated activities? (required)	YesNo
Are you, or have you ever been, the subject of an investigation into allegations of misconduct or malpractice in connection with any business activity? (required)	YesNo
Have you ever, either in the United Kingdom, or elsewhere been - (required)
- refused entry to, or been dismissed or requested to resign from, any profession, vocation, office or employment, or from any fiduciary office or position of trust, whether or not remunerated? (required)	YesNo
- refused, restricted in, or had suspended, the right to carry on any trade, business or profession for which specific licence, authorisation, registration, membership or other permission is required? (required)	YesNo
- disqualified by a court from acting as a director of a company or from acting in a management capacity of conducting the affairs of any company, partnership or unincorporated association? (required)	YesNo
- the subject of a disqualification direction under section 59 of the Financial Services Act 1986 of a prohibition order, under section 56 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, or received a warning notice to make such a direction or order? (required)	YesNo
Have you ever been a controller, director, senior manager, partner or company secretary of a company, partnership, or unincorporated association? If you answered "no" to question 8 you may proceed to section 12. Please tick (required)	YesNo

In respect of activities regulated by the FCA have you, or any company, partnership or unincorporated association of which you are or have been a controller, director, senior manager, partner or company secretary, during your association with that entity and for a period of three years after you ceased to be associated with it, ever - (required)
- been refused, had revoked, restricted or terminated any licence, authorisation, registration, notification, membership or other permission granted by any such body? (required)	YesNo
- been criticised, censured, disciplined, suspended, expelled, fined, or been the subject of any other disciplinary or intervention action by any such body? (required)	YesNo
- resigned whilst under investigation by, or been required to resign from, any such body? (required)	YesNo
- been the subject of any civil action which has resulted in a finding against you or it by a court? (required)	YesNo
Has any company, partnership or unincorporated association for which you have been a controller, director, senior manager, partner or company secretary, in the United Kingdom or elsewhere, at any time during your involvement or within one year of such an involvement – (required)
- been put into liquidation, wound up, ceased trading, had a receiver or administrator appointed or entered into any voluntary arrangement with its creditors? (required)	YesNo
- been declared by a court liable for any fraud, misfeasance, wrongful trading or other misconduct? (required)	YesNo
- been investigated or been involved in an investigation by an inspector appointed under companies or any other legislation, or required to produce documents to the Secretary of State, or any other authority, under any such legislation? (required)	YesNo
- been convicted of any criminal offence, censured, disciplined or publicly criticised, by any inquiry, by the Takeover Panel of any other governmental or statutory authority or any other regulatory body (other than as already indicated under 10 b))? (required)	YesNo
Are you currently a director of any company other than one which is a part of this company? (If “yes” please give details on the supplementary sheet). (required)	YesNo

Ellis David’s Christmas Insurance FAQs

Ellis David’s Christmas Insurance FAQs

Do you need to tell your insurer if you buy an expensive Christmas present?

Is there more risk associated with Christmas time?

If I’m on holiday over the Christmas period or my home is empty, should I notify my insurer?

Recent Posts

Your Details

Company Details

Good Repute Fit and Proper Form

Good Repute Fit and Proper Form

I confirm that the information in this form is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief and that I have read the notes accompanying this form.
Personal information provided in this form will be used by us to discharge our statutory functions under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and other relevant legislation and will not be disclosed for any other purpose without the permission of the applicant.