The team at Expat Echo Dubai was having a conversation this morning concerning house and contents insurance, who had it and with which company. Shockingly not one of us had insurance! Taking out a policy had crossed our minds several times since moving to Dubai but somehow we all just kept putting it off. Each of us had experienced being burgled in the past whilst living elsewhere, so we all have first-hand experience of how devastating it is. Why then the neglect now?
Had we become complacent since moving here simply because Dubai is relatively crime and theft-free compared to our home countries? It’s true, the chances of someone breaking into your Dubai home and stealing all your worldly possessions are pretty slim, but why had we all failed to consider the possibility of a natural disaster, electrical short-circuit resulting in fire, due to shoddy building works, or simple loss and misadventure? One team member raised a valid concern because she, like many expats living in Dubai, resides in a high-rise apartment building – the worry being; what if one of the neighbours causes a fire or flooding that takes out her apartment too? Sadly, as recent events in Jumeirah Lakes Towers shows this does happen.
The landlord’s insurance more than likely will only cover the building where you live – not your personal belongings and your liability. Contents insurance should cover all the items in your home that you are likely to take along when you decide to move out. Items like carpets, curtains, furniture, electrical appliances, valuables, clothing and personal effects are all included as part of contents.
If you’re renting, talk to your landlord today and see what he has covered! Don’t put it off any longer, get professional, impartial advice today.
Insurance and many financial institutions such as AXA, RSA HSBC and Emirates NBD offer home and contents insurance.
