Is Your Home Insurance Smart Enough?

Modern technology is now a major part of our lives and with the rise of smart devices and home automation it is essential that more attention is placed on reviewing Home Insurance to ensure that the devices are covered and any premium savings available have been taken advantage of.

The application of smart technology in the home is wide-ranging with a Smart Device available for almost everything, from re-ordering food when you run low to controlling light and sound throughout your home. These devices now not only improve your comfort but also improve security and prevent accidents or reduce damage caused.

Clarke Williams have worked with the leading insurers to create bespoke solutions for High Value Smart Home Insurance, not only covering your Smart Devices but also offering savings on their installation.

What is a Smart Home?

Homes are considered to be ‘Smart’ if equipped with devices for lighting, heating, sound and security that can be remotely controlled via a smartphone or computer.

The most common types of Smart Devices being installed in homes are:

Smart locks –  allowing you to review the security of your home remotely via a smartphone. These allow for greater flexibility especially if you need to let a courier deliver a parcel while you are at work or have forgotten to lock the house, a quick click can unlock and lock the doors.

Smart alarms – rather than simply causing a noise the smart alarms can also record CCTV, link to a speaker on your phone to alert thieves you are aware of their presence and also trigger smoke bombs to obscure vision in the home. Fire alarms can alert owners instantly and shut off supplies to minimise damage caused or prevent a major incident.

Smart lighting – while available to create mood lighting or automatically turn on/off lights as you walk around the home these can also be used to remotely control lights while you are away to give the impression that someone is at home helping to deter potential thieves.

Smart sound – one of the most common smart devices is a smart sound system which can control music throughout the home all from your smartphone, great if hosting a party or wanting music to follow you around the home.

Smart heating – with the Government pledge to install smart energy meters in every home by 2020 this is one of the fastest growing areas of consumer tech. While not only allowing you to monitor energy remotely you can now switch on/off heating when you arrive or leave for work they can also help to monitor water pressures and cut off mains supplies if a leak is detected, drastically reducing the damage caused.

Smart cameras – from remote controlled CCTV to Pet Monitors you can now view the exterior and interior of your home from anywhere in the world. A great way for providing peace of mind while away or for checking your favourite pet is behaving themselves.

What if I am Hacked?

One of the growing concerns among tech users is becoming vulnerable to hackers looking to exploit personal data or gain entry to the home via smart locks. Apple recently had to fix a problem with its HomeKit system that could have allowed hackers to access smart locks which highlights the need for concern but with developers constantly reviewing security we hope that these worries continue to be reduced.

Our High Value Smart Home Insurance product includes Cyber Crime and Cyber Legal Defence costs and in the event of an incident our experienced and specialist claims management team are on call to assist.

Need Smart Home Insurance?

Call our High Value Home Insurance experts on 01732 252898 or email info@clarkewilliams.co.uk for a no obligation review of your insurance portfolio.

As specialists for High Net Worth and Ultra High Net Worth individuals we have aligned ourselves with insurers who are able to cater for every aspect of your lifestyle. We can provide the following insurances where required or requested:

• Prestige Motor Insurance – be it a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley or Porsche we can provide a flexible policy that also includes European Travel and Young Drivers.
• Classic Car Insurance – single vehicle through to an entire collection via specialist insurers who truly understand Classic Cars and will arrange insurance on an Agreed Value basis.
• High Net Worth Travel – able to provide multi-trip worldwide cover with enhanced Medical Expense and Travel Delay cover, can also extend to include au-pairs and nannies.
• Second Home Insurance – ability to include Second Homes, Holiday Homes or Let Property based in the UK under the same policy automatically.
• Overseas Home Insurance – ability to cater for Second Homes and Holiday Homes based overseas with access to dedicated local Loss Adjusters in the event of a claim