Over a million people are currently working from home more than one day a week*, a figure which is set to rise a quarter of the working population by 2020.** With this in mind, Aviva’s UK insurance business is now offering cover for business equipment as standard as part of their home contents insurance policies.
Aviva, the new name for Norwich Union, is providing cover for loss or damage to office furniture and equipment that is used for business or professional purposes including filing cabinets, desks, computers, printers, typewriters, photocopiers, answer and fax machines – up to a limit of £5,000.***
This means that if any of the above is stolen or damaged by any of the “standard perils” like fire, flood, escaping water or storm, customers will be covered. It also provides cover for any accidental damage.
What’s more, Aviva is currently offering free contents insurance to new customers when buying buildings insurance, which covers whole home belongings and office equipment for nothing.****
Julie Fromant, home lifestyle manager at Aviva UK, said: “The work landscape is constantly changing and a quarter of the population is expected to work from home at least once a week by 2020. Mums and dads choosing to work flexi hours, the growing number of freelancers and higher levels of redundancy all mean that home working has become a real alternative to the corporate office.
“We recognise the growing trend in home working and that for many, working from home requires additional investments that need to be protected. We felt it was right that this should be covered as standard, as part of the home contents policy and hope this provides extra security for home workers in the UK.”
The cover is available to all new customers and existing customers when they renew their policy.
News-insurance’s top tips for home-workers:
- If your home office space is a separate room, make sure you have a door lock and keep it locked when not in use. Keeping your office as a separate, out of bounds space to children and pets will help to prevent unwanted accidents, keeping both your equipment and the people involved safe.
- Keep office equipment covered up or out of reach of pets and children when not in use – most importantly for their own safety but also to minimise risk of damage to the equipment
- Certain office supplies and equipment, like shredders for example, present a great safety risk to children and pets. Look out for products available in the market that are designed for safety
- Keep valuable items out of sight from opportunist thieves
- Mark items with indelible identification – showing your postcode and the number of your house or flat – using an ultra-violet marking pen
- Take pictures and write down the serial numbers of valuable items such as your computer and scanning/printing equipment, to help the police identify them should be recovered after a burglary.
- Ask your local police station for “postcoded property” stickers to display in the front and back windows of your house
* Figures from the Office For National Statistics April – June 2008
** Figures from trends insights company Future Foundation April – June 2009
*** We will not cover:
Accidental damage to mobile phones, laptops or computer equipment designed to be portable.
Damage caused by wear and tear.
Damage caused by cleaning, washing, repairing or restoring.
Electrical breakdown, loss in value, failure to use in line with manufacturer’s instructions or damaged caused by domestic animals.
**** The offer applies for all new Norwich Union buildings and contents home insurance policies when you have been claim free for three or more years on your current buildings and contents insurance.
