Ask plenty of questions when seeking cover

Whether you have just made a new purchase that you want to protect or are looking to switch from your current provider in the hopes of getting a better deal elsewhere, it is important that you take the time to search for the insurance company that is right for you.

Of course, you are going to want a comprehensive level of protection for a competitive price so you should avoid automatically taking out a policy with the first insurance provider you find online. Instead, it's wise to ask yourself about what exactly you want from your cover before going on to put these questions to the companies you're thinking of giving your business to.

What do you want covered?

As obvious as it may sound, the first thing you ought to find out is if the insurance company will actually cover your possessions.

Most firms offer a range of policies, usually incorporating areas such as home and motor insurance, so although at first glimpse it might seem as if there is plenty of choice, you might need do a little more work to determine if they will cover you.

It may be that you have specialist insurance needs or own high-value products, something that standard providers are often unable to give adequate protection for. One instance where this is the case is with holiday homes. As these will not be protected by a normal home insurance policy – partially because of the fact they can be left unoccupied for long periods of time, which means they're at greater risk of being broken into – it is worth checking that an insurance company can give you the protection you're seeking.

You also need to find out what exclusions and restraints may apply. If you live in a listed home, for example, you won't be covered for any mishaps caused by building work that has not been permitted by your local authority. Ask in advance what you will and won't be covered for, so you can avoid the embarrassment of an attempted claim being rejected simply because you didn't read the small print.

Alternatively, if you own a high-value prestige car such as a Bentley or Porsche, you're sure to want comprehensive insurance for it. Many consumers ask providers what happen in the event they have an accident, so make sure you do the same.

Should there be more than one vehicle in your household, it might be an idea to find out if a provider offers either family fleet or multi car insurance. Not only will this ensure that all named drivers in your family have comprehensive cover, but making the decision to deal with only one company – as opposed to several – means you can save a substantial amount of time. You'll often save money when insuring more than one car with the same company, so make sure you ask what discounts are available.

How will my premiums be calculated?

Once you've established what items you want to be insured, you will need to ask how your premiums will be calculated.

If you've got a certain level of affluence, however, figuring out the precise value of your possessions can be difficult. On top of this, these possessions may simply be too expensive for a mainstream provider to offer adequate cover for.

In these cases, it's best to call on the services of an expert broker, like Certis Insurance, that is able to build a personal relationship with high-value clients. That way you can get answers to any questions you have, as they work to arrange cover from specialist insurers that is right for you.