Do any members that have layouts in their garage or outhouses have them insured, if so, can they recommend the provider.
Thanks
Check your home insurance. It may already be included, you may have to specify that you want it included or you may have to pay an extra few quid to have it included.
Either way, it will probably be cheaper than insuring through a "so called" specialist company.
When we renewed our home insurance I added the model railway (and my photography equipment) to the contents (currently with Sheilas Wheels ironically!). It didn't cost more than a few quid. My layout is in the spare bedroom.
Not in an external building (as deemed by household insurance policies) but still listed on my policy for all risks
It is best to discuss with each insurer at each renewal (or new policy)
They should treat it as an entire collection, rather than specific items
Equally, if any specific items are transported these should also be covered at any time, again under all risks
My collection adds about £35 per year (insured up to £50,000 and £10,000 public liability)
This would also allow me to take any of it to exhibitions, etc
We use the co-op for our house insurance, the layout and stock is insured as a one off item to a value that was discussed by the agent and us, as long as no one piece of equipment/stock exceeded a set price, which i can`t remember off hand, but none of what i own even comes close to the figure, i also seem to remember it being covered when being transported to/from exhibitions, having said that most exhibitions cover layouts/stock during transfer to and from venues. As mjkerr and others have said its only a few pounds, my premium is certainly under £50 too.
Stu
Many thanks for the very usefull information much appreciated.
One thing to add - if they say its covered anyway, or that the shed is fine or anything like that *get it in writing*
As suggested above, first check what is covered on your normal household contents insurance particularly look for:
- What is the excess (on a typical household policy it is probably going to be more than the combined value of several locos).
- Any clauses about limit of value for single items and/or if you need to declare high value items.
- Do they count the layout and stock as one single item or each item seperately (in which case make sure you have a list of exactly what you have).
- For items such as the layout and kit built stock, how will they be valued? Will they pay out cost of materials or for a full professional rebuild.
If you find you aren't already covered or existing contents cover is insufficient, the leading specialist service is Magnet Insurance www.modelrailwayinsurance.co.uk (http://www.modelrailwayinsurance.co.uk) . They are the brokers who cover many Model Railway Clubs and leading Model Railway Shows so they do know and understand the hobby.
I can thoroughly recommend for service as a Club Treasurer who has made a couple of small claims.
Paul
Many thanks for all your your input on Insurance. I did check my house contents and the cover was only up to £2500. To raise this cover to include the model railway in the garage would have been more expensive than taking out a policy with Magnet so there was no case to answer, Magnet got the business. It was all dealt with in a couple of minutes, instant cover, policy by e:mail, very efficient.
with the company PLD shown you can get insurance up to £10k for £59.50. hope thats not a month lol