House insurance and fish tanks

[Miss Dib Dabs]

I recently had my house content insurance upped to try and cover things should the unthinkable happen!
I don't have them specifically named though and am considering doing so, especially the biggest one. Does anyone else insure for their tanks or is it something you've not thought much about?
Having had a betta tank smashed recently (oddly, after I'd sorted the insurance out) I do worry about just how much damage would be done. Let alone the fish that would be hurt or killed in the process.
Hugs,
P.

 

[millym]

ive thought about the same thing esp after our 169L burst over a year ago & we live in a 1st floor flat!!!
i think you can upgrade your insurance but its more to cover damage to your floor etc or god forbid your neighbours underneaths ceiling. i didnt think about insuring the actual tank & inhabitants - i wonder if any companies would cover you for that???
i must look into it

 

[pseud]

A few years back my younger brother tripped and headbutted my parents tank. It was at least a 55 gallon tank, probably more like 75. The carpet was ruined, it was wall to wall not just a rug, and the insurance covered it. I guess it comes under accidental damage. *shrugs* Oh yeah, and al lthe fish died

 

[The-Wolf]

for the uk;
most household contents insurance policies only cover upto 50 UK gallons.
if you have a tank or tanks over that it is advisable to get a policy upgrade ora different policy altogether.
I don't know of any insurance company that will insure livestock, except LLoyds of London who will insure class1 koi from accidental death.

The bottom line, ask your insurance provider to clarify exactly what is and is not covered.
do it now before it's too late.

 

[colen]

Water can do a lot of damage, and will go a long ways! Have you ever spilled a 10gallon bucket on the way to your tank? That little bit of water makes a whole lot of a mess.

 

[bunjiweb]

You should be able to claim under house insurance, and if you do insure a tank make sure that "tank and its contents" are insured, don't try to insure live-stock as a seperate entity as it will always present problems. Unfortunately it is better in this case to think of your fish as "contents" rather than "pets".

Ben

 

[ncjharris]

I imagine you'd also be limited by the individual item amount. This is usually topped at a couple of grand.,

 

[Def]

most household contents insurance policies only cover upto 50 UK gallons.

Er, what Show me a home and contents policy that specifies the size of fishtank...

I imagine you'd also be limited by the individual item amount.

Spot on. The policy will have 2 sections - specified and unspecified items. Your unspecified items will be covered up to £x and as the name implies, you don't have to tell the insurer what they are to make a claim up to that amount. If you have anything worth more than that amount you have to add them to the policy as a named item, otherwise they're an uninsured risk.

Wow, how boring am I.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Tis still worrying. I mean, I have 6 tanks in my house currently and if there was a house fire I really can't say if it would cover all that damage. I'm gonna have to check it again. Goddess forbid that such a thing should ever happen ever!! My poor fish!!
Hugs,
P.

 

[Synirr]

Oh lord, if my 80 gallon were to ever bust my carpet and computer would be destroyed... it would probably cause an electrical fire too, considering all the wires and plugs I have lying around.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

^This is precisely it y'see. The damage would be extensive with the bigger tanks. Not sure if even my extended insurance would cover that sort of damage.
Hugs.
P.

 

[Def]

Oh lord, if my 80 gallon were to ever bust my carpet and computer would be destroyed... it would probably cause an electrical fire too, considering all the wires and plugs I have lying around.

I think you misunderstood. Unspecified risk insurance is per item. So if your policy covers up to £1000 of unspecified items, your tank breaks and your £999 tv, £500 surrond sound, £200 ps2/xbox etc all got fried, it doesn't matter the total value of damage is £1,700. The insurer would replace all the items because each individual item is under the unspecified item limit.

Of course you need to check the wording of your policy in case the insurer has put explicit exclusions in...