DVD Collections and Home Content Insurance

[HiroProtagonist]

So perhaps not the most interesting of subjects, but I thought this might be the place to get a more-deffinitive answer to something that's been bugging me for a few weeks.

The "shell structure" of my appartment is insured by the landlord, which basically means that all I have to insure are the home contents - now, in my case that basically runs to not all that much - basically my PVR, TVs and roughly 300 books, as everything else (fittings and fixtures) were provided by the landlord.

I was thinking of getting home contents insurance, just in case anything should happen to my things, but in all honesty the item that's worth the most money is my DVD / Movie Memorabillia collection.

The reason I'm worrying, is that a fair few people have told me that my collection wouldn't be covered by home contents - basically the insurance company would replace the items stolen up to a certain value, but that'd be it - say for instance I've got £10,000 worth of DVDs / Movie Memorabillia, they'd only cover me for the first few thousand, even if everything was stolen.

Does anyone have any experience with regards to their dvd collections and home contents insurance? Do I need standard contents insurance, but with some kind of additional "top-up"

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Kings-Rook1]

Standard content insurance may be OK as long as the coverage amount is enough to cover replacement values of your collection. Talk to a few agents (not just one!); it's what they are there for and advise is free.

First, make an inventory list with values and photos and put a copy some place “safe” as this would be used as proof in the event of anything bad happening. Second, make sure that the amount of insurance you have for personal belonging covers what you would need. Third, speak with you agent and have them point out specific language in the policy that guaranties coverage of all personal belongings (clothes, furniture, electronics, DVD’s etc). Also make sure that they clearly explain any deductibles and any “special situations” or policy clauses (the bastards can be sneaky). Read through it yourself and if you don’t understand anything ASK!

For a traditional home owner policy (here in the US) it is fairly simple; the policy should state clearly the amount of coverage for the structure of your home, the amount for personal belonging, liability protection and any additional living expenses in the event that you are displaced due to fire and/or natural disaster. If you find a shortage in any of these simply call them up and add more…they will be happy to take more of your money.

[HiroProtagonist]

Originally posted by Kings-Rook1
Standard content insurance may be OK as long as the coverage amount is enough to cover replacement values of your collection. Talk to a few agents (not just one!); it's what they are there for and advise is free.

First, make an inventory list with values and photos and put a copy some place “safe” as this would be used as proof in the event of anything bad happening. Second, make sure that the amount of insurance you have for personal belonging covers what you would need. Third, speak with you agent and have them point out specific language in the policy that guaranties coverage of all personal belongings (clothes, furniture, electronics, DVD’s etc). Also make sure that they clearly explain any deductibles and any “special situations” or policy clauses (the bastards can be sneaky). Read through it yourself and if you don’t understand anything ASK!

For a traditional home owner policy (here in the US) it is fairly simple; the policy should state clearly the amount of coverage for the structure of your home, the amount for personal belonging, liability protection and any additional living expenses in the event that you are displaced due to fire and/or natural disaster. If you find a shortage in any of these simply call them up and add more…they will be happy to take more of your money.

That's some pretty good advice - I already kinda have a list of my dvds, through DVD Profiler, and some pics, but I suppose it's a good idea to have hard copies of these.

Cheers for the advice - I'll have to do some more phoning around to see what various companies say - hopefully I should be able to sort it out soon.

[sirdizzy]

my wife has been wanting me to get this insurance as I have over 1000 dvs, my big thing is if you are going to steal 1000 dvds I am going to need to be on vacation and you are going to need a dolly and lots of time. Last time I moved in December they took up like 5-7 huge boxes.

[Funnyman]

Me too. 9 boxes of DVD's, 4 boxes of Chuck Palahniuk books.

And to be honest. If you want to steal my TV, I would love to see them try. I am more worried about Water damage or something fuct up.

[HiroProtagonist]

Originally posted by sirdizzy
my wife has been wanting me to get this insurance as I have over 1000 dvs, my big thing is if you are going to steal 1000 dvds I am going to need to be on vacation and you are going to need a dolly and lots of time. Last time I moved in December they took up like 5-7 huge boxes.

That's the main reason that I haven't gotten 'em covered up to this point - but recently I've been thinking that it might be worth getting 'em covered, just to be sure - I think I'm still gonna have a look 'round, to see what kinda cover is available, and more importantly, how much it'l cost :)

[sirdizzy]

Its not a bad idea, the dvds wouldn't be the only thing I covered. I mean tvs, game systems (I have a nitendo, super nitendo, N64, playstation 2, xbox, and a xbox 360), tvs, movie memorabilia (I have like 200 authentic movie posters), my laptop (just bought in in February). Plus I wanted to get fire insurance on them too, thats the biggest thing I am worried about is a fire, a robber is only going to get to pick and choose what he takes a fire would take everything.

[MovieVVhore]

Originally posted by Funnyman
Me too. 9 boxes of DVD's, 4 boxes of Chuck Palahniuk books.

And to be honest. If you want to steal my TV, I would love to see them try. I am more worried about Water damage or something fuct up.

yeah... i came home one day to see my room flooded a few inches... water leaking down the walls from upstairs... fortunately, i dint have any DVDs lying on the ground or any valuable stuff hanging on the drenched wall =P that sucked