The Rain in Spain falls mainly on Dubai …

We do not normally associate Dubai with cloudy skies, torrential rain and thunder storms but that is exactly the freakish kind of weather that the world experiences nowadays. This is not an article on Global Warming but a reminder that anything can happen and will when it comes to the forces of Mother Nature. More importantly, the resulting devastation from these events can be catastrophic. We have all been witness to the Asian tsunami and the floods around the Mississippi delta through TV and Press coverage. Aside from the enormous cost of life the money required to rebuild these areas in the US alone has run into the $billions. The recent weather in the United Arab Emirates should have you thinking about whether you have taken the correct precaution should your home be exposed to the elements. You only have to look in the recent local Press to see the extent of damage that the recent flooding caused to many homes. Moreover the watertight integrity of some homes created additional internal flooding and associated electrical problems. Although we cannot prevent this type of thing happening again we can at least protect ourselves financially from these catastrophes.

Insurance - spend a little to protect a lot. That is what it can do in simple terms and now many have witnessed the inclement weather in Dubai, it is high time to get your home protected. For years, expatriates fail altogether to make any provision for this whereas it is common practice back at home. Not only for the overall protection of the property against uncharacteristic weather but to guard against the increasing crime that Dubai is now experiencing. The old adage of it "never rains" and we live in a "crime free country" is no longer extant. We all insure our cars, boats and lives but fail to protect one of our largest assets - the home.

This is not a new phenomenon due to the expanding property market but it has focused people's attention to this matter. Typically, as Tenants, we leave the insurance and maintenance of the building to our Landlord. But we must not overlook the issues when events happen and who/how are damages going to be paid for. For example, your Landlord may be content to repair a broken A/C unit but will he be willing to compensate because the broken unit dripped water down the back of your TV. Unlikely I am sure. Likewise, is it the Landlords fault that the window was defective which resulted in a thief stealing your best silverware - an interesting Tenant/Landlord conversation I am sure? Regardless, we cannot extinguish the trauma that any event like this can have but you can eliminate or mitigate the financial impact on your life.

A comprehensive Home & Contents cover will protect you and your home against these eventualities. The key word here is comprehensive since to identify all the things that could possibly go wrong in your house/apartment are too exhaustive to list here. Obviously, the devil is in the detail and most insurance policies should be studied carefully to determine the exact level of cover they offer. We generally suggest that the larger insurers (ones that you have heard of is a good rule of thumb!) will generally offer the scope of protection that should cover most of your home and what you have in it. Here is just a few areas that one can be expected to be covered …

• Floods, water leaks, earthquakes, fire, lightning, storm, malicious damage, riots, strikes, theft and more
• Your Contents are covered on a repair or replacement as new basis
• Alternative accommodation is arranged if your home is unfit to live in
• If your keys are stolen, the locks will be replaced
• Frozen food is covered should the appliance break down due to power failure
• It can protect your housemaid in case of death or permanent disability including all the medical costs covered.
• Covers the loss of money and/or fraudulent use of credit cards. The cost to replace Passports, Diving License, Residency Visa and work permit should they be lost anywhere in the world.
The list above gives an overview to the level a Home & Contents policy can cover but remember the policy wording is imperative. If you have any doubts to the extent of coverage your policy will buy, then contact your Broker or the Insurance Company concerned for clarification. There is no point carrying out this exercise after the event.

Having looked at the list of cover above it is quite clear to see that even here in Dubai we are liable to the majority of the potential disasters listed above. We have seen the extensive flooding in some of the new developments, there is a large example of fire damage on the SZR, lightning during the Dubai Boat Show weekend and even earthquakes this year. Many folk ensure they lock their cars and homes at night - unheard of in Dubai years ago. This is just the way life is nowadays so the best you can do is to get your home protected.

What next? Take a walk around your home with a pen and paper and add up the cost of the items you see around you. TV, stereo, computers are all the obvious suspects but then add on your jeweleery, watches, paintings, clothes etc and you will soon start to see the list build. It will surprise you what you haqve accumulated and the cost involved in replacing such items. Some of course will have an irreplaceable sentimental value. Once you have done this exercise you asre now in a position to obtain a quote and determine how much it will cost to cover yourself and your home. It may cost you a bit now, but think of the ipact it would have on your savings if you had to replace all of it from your own pocket!

Once you have fully investigated the quality of cover you're being offered, it's just as important to investigate the quality of the company providing the cover. How reputable is the company? How good is their claims service? How long have they been in operation? Do they have a reputation for quality and good customer service? Ensure the company has sound financial backing and employs a sufficient number of qualified staff to provide you with a good level of customer service. Find out whether the company operates extended working hours so that you are able to contact them out of normal office hours. Some of the more established companies can provide instant cover over the telephone if you are able to pay by credit card (you may even get a discount for purchasing your insurance this way!).

Here is a useful checklist before purchasing Home & Contents Cover:-

• Check the `limits` and cover on your insurance policy for Accidental damage, theft or loss and worldwide cover.
• Ensure the company explains rebuilding cost of your villa so you do not over insure and pay too much - they may be able to recommend a qualified property valuer/surveyor.
•Does the cover extend to cover contents when being moved (e.g. house removals)?
•Understand the claims procedure and the excess (the amount you need to pay towards each claim) payable under each section.
• How reputable is the company providing the insurance?
• Does the company operate a customer service facility outside normal office hours?
• For your valuable items, ensure the company specifies such items on the policy so there can be no dispute on value in the event of a claim.