At AA Insurance, we put our customers’ needs first and pride ourselves on being there to protect what matters most to you. When one of our customers experienced a devastating house fire, our team acted quickly to support their recovery.
One night, Mike Hart and his partner Sarah watched their 100-year-old brick bungalow burn down. While they escaped safely with their dog and cat, they lost everything — including sentimental items and family heirlooms.
Mike has held home and contents insurance with us for 30 years. “[AA Insurance] have given me back my home and, really, they’ve given me back my life in a way. If we didn’t have insurance, I would be a financial ruin,” he said. As his wife Sarah put it, “Insurance helps you get your life back together when disaster strikes”.
He was also deeply moved by the support he and Sarah received from their community in Marton. “In the negative situations in life, sometimes you see the best of humanity”.
In the aftermath of the fire, Mike wanted to share his experience to help others avoid similar hardship. Here are three key lessons he learned:
1. Check your cover
Mike urges others to ensure they have suitable insurance in place. Your policy wording can help you know how your cover would respond in events like a house fire. You can read our policy documents online.
2. Review your sum insured regularly
Insurance isn’t a ‘set and forget’ task. Taking time to review your sum insured regularly can make a difference at claim time. Your sum insured is the total amount your contents and home are covered for and may be the maximum that will be paid to you if they’re destroyed. We’ve shared more about reviewing your insurance on our blog.
3. Identify fire risks at home
As the number of electrical appliances in our homes grows, so does the risk of electrical fires. Investigators found that Mike’s fire was caused by a faulty multi-board. Investing in a quality multi-board with a trip switch, surge protector, and circuit breaker can help prevent fires. You may also want to consider asking a registered electrician to install additional power outlets directly into the wall. Learn more about fire safety at home on our blog.
Watch the video below to hear Mike’s story.
This story was published in AA Directions. Read the full article here.
Any questions?
Now’s a great time to review your insurance. We recommend checking your details are up to date and ensuring the policy and cover you’ve chosen is right for you and your insurance needs.
If you have any questions about your insurance, need to update your AA Insurance policies or would like a quote, don’t hesitate to contact us. You can find our opening hours and ways to get in touch with us on our contact page.
This blog provides general information only and is not intended to be a recommendation or personalised financial advice. Excesses, terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply to AA Insurance Limited’s policies. Please check the policy wording for details of cover. The provision of cover is subject to the underwriting criteria that apply at the time.