SELLER THREW HIS TOYS OUT !!!! - Page 2

Hi Kim, I don't know if this business of having kitchen units, sanitaryware etc within the contents is an historical practice because I have heard it so many times. Even the saleslady in Sabadell told me this was the case, but having read Linea Directa and Sabadell's terms and conditions, plus Alfonso's quote with Liberty Seguros, if they are fitted, they come within the buildings. Freestanding dressers etc would be within contents. Appliances come within contents.

Hi Cheryl,

When we bought our Liberty Seguros policy through Jennifer Cunningham brokers 4 years ago, they told us that kitchens are covered by the Contents insurance, rather than Buildings.  I'm going to check the current policy wording against the original policy to see if it's changed. 

The funny thing was that, having told me that I needed to include the kitchen in the Contents element, when I said we needed Eu 90k of contents cover, she said, "No!  Eu 50k is more than enough, no-one would ever insure for more than that".........!   It's nothing like the UK insurance market, where an insurer would recommend you make a list of all your contents to ensure that you're not under-insured  :o)

Kind regards,

Kim

Hi Kim, that's something that puzzled me as well, how whoever was quoting with just ballpark figures for both buildings and contents would always give figures of €20-30,000 contents and then a high figure for rebuild costs which if it didn't include sanitary ware and kitchens would make the figure even more ridiculous. I know the buildings would include site clearance in the event of a total loss but the figures they are quoting are similar to UK costs which would include cavity walls, heating systems, insulation and quality windows etc.
I really think its something from the past that has just stuck in people's minds so it would be interesting to know what your policies actually state in the t&cs.

I suppose we were lucky really as we took over a property In January the price being that we would take everything on and get rid of the rubbish, it was hard to make an inventory  as we came home the next day  and never went back till  we were handed the keys, but did most of it from memory and a couple of photos  but we  made and an inventory and got it ok'd between the  Abagado and the Estate agents, perhaps lucky it all worked out hope you can sort it would be a shame to lose a property you had your heart set, as said try re negotiating  depends on what the material things are worth to you a price good luck 

Hi we just renewed ours with the same company and broker as Kim and was told the same kitchen comes under content insurance.

Hi Cheryl,

I don't know about Linea Directa or Sabadell, but I've just checked the policy wording on our Liberty Seguros Premium Home insurance.

Under the section "2. Insured Property", cover is provided for "Building", "Building Refurbishment Work" and "Contents".  

Under "Building", the section covering "Fixed Installations" refers to, amongst other things, "sanitaryware", i.e. bathrooms, but no mention of kitchens.

Under "Contents", it reads: "Contents are deemed to be furniture and fittings, being understood as kitchen furniture......."  This is the only reference to the kitchen in the definitions of "Insured property" and so I believe that kitchens are included in the Contents cover.  I've just tried to call Jennifer Cunningham to reconfirm what they advised me, but they close at 5pm, so I'll follow up with them on Monday and update if necessary.

Kind regards, 

Kim

And the Liberty Seguros site is down for maintenance this weekend, oh well, mañana!

Hi Cheryl,

I spoke to my insurance agent this afternoon, Jennifer Cunningham in Benijofar, and they confirmed that kitchen furniture, i.e. cabinets, are included in the Contents cover, not Buildings, of Liberty Seguros Home insurance.

Kind regards,

Kim

Hi Kim, thanks for that, I checked the Liberty Seguros t&cs online and they are covered under contents as you say although how the kitchen sink fits in I don't know as it is a fixed installation although the cupboard it is fixed into would be contents, as would the worktops! 
I still find it strange that some insurers put it into contents and some,under buildings yet they all guesstimate the contents figure so low for the size of the house and maybe this could explain why some of the consortium payments were not for the full amount claimed if we are all merrily assuming the kitchen comes under the buildings sum insured, after all, a house is not habitable without a kitchen.
It just makes everything a lot harder to compare as the rates for buildings and contents differ per €1,000 insured. If one company cover it under buildings it will be cheaper to cover the kitchen than if it comes under contents.
I guess it's just a case of putting a figure on the value of the kitchen and asking each insurer where it is covered under the policy and then adjusting the amounts accordingly.

I have just sold my house and I did agree to leave all furniture, fixtures and fittings, and to take only personal items.
I carried out an inventory of the items I am leaving and duly signed it. There is the facility for the buyer to sign it too. 

This prevents any arguments/problems as it is in writing and signed by both parties

Shane