moneypenny20

How did everyone here sort out their contents insurance. We are just getting round to it, mainly because we didn't want all our major annual outgoings happening around Christmas so we have doing them all in dribs and drabs.

What I can't work out is how I value everything. Do I work out what it was in the UK and just change the amount to Aussie dollars, or do I traipse around the shops, pricing everything up?

Building and cars are fine, just confused by contents

Any sensible advice gratefully received.

JohnandMichelle

Hi Penny,

We've just sorted ours. Rang around a few places. Started with the crowd that we have our car insurance with, hoping we'd get a discount. No luck though. Found quotes a lot dearer than Ireland/England, but basically went for ANZ in the end. Alot of the quotes have a "minimum" amount of about $30-40,000 anyway. With ANZ, we could pay monthly ($21) at no extra cost, but I'm not sure if that was because we bank with them also. Btw, all's well this end as far as my Gran is concerned, so will ring you early next week to meet up for a coffee? Meeting Karenjc again on Sat lunch time also. Hopefully chat soon then. Michelle

kiwichild

Using the price you paid in UK and converting to AUD could leave you underinsured as some things in oz are more expensive. Insurers look at replacement value incase of a claim. You should be able to find the insurer you like then ask them to send out an assessor to make an assessment. They may charge you for this service so make sure you ask if a fee is involved. Just be sure to mention your property was bought in UK and you're not sure of the OZ replacement value.

Choose a reputable insurer eg, commonwealth bank, colonial, national mutual, Allianz, etc

lesleys

We worked on the UK price. Yes some things are dearer here but other stuff is cheaper - it balances out. If you have to itemize anything then do a quick check on the web for the Aus price. For thing like clothes, books or CDs it was a case of count and multiply by an average.

kiwichild

Clothes like furnishings can be tricky stuff. Need to check quality, designer label? material used, place of manufacture etc Most people tend to underestimate the value of their personal property and confuse what they paid/could sell it for secondhand with what it would cost to replace.

Some insurance websites have calculators but these are very basic and general. If someone was bringing a container of possessions from another country I'd get an assessor to certify its worth and provide any documentation possible eg, if you bought an expensive piece of jewellery or art it should have some paperwork attached at time of purchase and would therefore be listed separately under contents insurance.

Bix da Boss

You won't be buying replacement items in the UK so need to value it based on Aus prices.

Did you insure your container upon immigration ? If so you may have a full list of stuff. Just need to add what you've bought since arriving.

cresta57

If you go to one of the online insurance places AMMI or the RACQ etc. they have a series of tick boxes for all your contents you just tick what you have and add any other valuables in at the end.

moneypenny20

Thanks guys. We had a minimum lump figure in the UK, why didn't I think of that Well done Gill. Have got the shipping insurance list somewhere - will dig it out

Michelle, really pleased about your gran. Be good to see you.

I wonder if this is a record for the most number of reasonable replies to a thread this year

Bix

Never fear....I am here

And it was me answering but that bloody woman left BE logged on in her name

She must have been posting again today.

moneypenny20

Blimey Bix, keep her under control for god's sake, she was posting sense under your name the other day. It does nothing for your credibility you know

Thank you very much for the advice BIX

Bix

Darn it. A family discussion is called for

BTW I found Sun Corp best for our needs. http://www.suncorp.com.au/suncorp/insurance/apply.html

moneypenny20

Thanks for that, we have a Suncorp office in our shopping centre, will go in and get a quote.