ING Home Insurance

Whether you are looking to cover your home, contents or both, ING offers comprehensive cover with additional features to tailor your policy closer to your needs.

This review will outline some key benefits of the policies available from ING and also cover some of the exclusions to be aware of and eligibility requirements.

What policies are available from ING?

ING offers three home insurance cover options to Australian homeowners. You can take out Home Insurance or Contents Insurance as standalone policies, or combine the two policies into a Home and Contents Insurance package.

• ING Home Insurance
• ING Contents Insurance
• ING Home and Contents Insurance

What won't be covered?

Before taking out ING Home Insurance or purchasing cover from any other insurer, it’s essential that you’re aware of the situations where no cover is available. Your ING Home Insurance claim will not be paid for the following reasons:

• It is caused by a flood (unless you have selected optional flood cover for your policy).
• It is caused by high tides, a storm surge, a tsunami, or underground water seepage or pressure.
• It is caused by the presence of asbestos.
• It is caused by any illegal act or omission by you or someone acting with your consent.
• It arises because any part of your home was being used for unlawful purposes.
• It arises because you fail to comply with any Commonwealth, state, territory or local government law or regulation, such as regulations regarding pool fencing, smoke alarms, dangerous goods or the keeping of restricted breeds of dogs.
• It is for loss or damage to any part of the home specifically used for any business or profession. However, an area of the home used as a home office will be covered.
• It is for consequential loss of any kind.
• It is caused by a design fault, structural defect or faulty workmanship that you knew about but failed to fix.
• It arises because you failed to maintain your home or contents in good condition.
• It is caused by erosion, subsidence, a landslide or any other earth movement (except when it occurs within 72 hours of and as a direct result of an earthquake, an explosion or a storm and rainwater).
• It is caused by rust, corrosion, mould, rising damp, mildew, gradual deterioration or wear and tear.
• It is for loss, damage or liability intentionally caused by you or your family or someone acting with your consent.
• It is caused by mechanical or electrical breakdown.
• It is caused by the lawful seizure, repossession or confiscation of your home or contents.
• It is caused by tree lopping or felling.
• It is for loss or damage that occurs after the home has been unoccupied for a period of more than 60 consecutive days.
• It is caused by insects, birds, rodents or vermin.

What excess will be charged?

The excess is the amount you must contribute towards the cost of any claim you make on your ING Home Insurance policy. You’ll need to pay an excess for each incident that results in loss or damage to your home or contents. The following excesses may apply:

• Basic excess. This applies to all claims, but you may be able to alter this excess in order to adjust your premiums.
• Fixed excess. The insurer may impose this additional excess on your policy based on specific risk factors.
• Earthquake excess. This excess is payable on claims for loss or damage as the result of an earthquake.
• Theft/malicious damage by tenant excess. If you have optional cover against this risk, an excess is payable on all related claims.
• Tenant default. This excess applies to claims for loss or damage caused by absconding tenants (if you have purchased this option).

Who is eligible to apply?

ING Home and Contents Insurance provides cover for homes and personal belongings located in Australia. You will also need to satisfy the following specific terms and conditions to ensure that your policy continues to provide cover:

• Maintaining your home and contents in good condition
• Taking all reasonable steps to prevent loss, damage or legal liability
• Providing any information or documentation the insurer requests to process your claim

How do I claim?

If you suffer loss or damage to your home or contents, or if any event occurs that may lead to a claim, it’s vital that you take all reasonable steps to prevent or minimise any further loss, damage or liability. You should also report any theft or malicious damage to the police as soon as possible, and contact ING immediately to make a claim.

Claims can be lodged 24/7 online through the ING Home Insurance website, or you can contact the insurer by phone if you need help lodging your claim. Once you have supplied full details of your claim as well as any documentation or supporting evidence the insurer requests, you’ll be advised of the outcome of your claim within 10 business days.

Some final questions you might have

• Is there a cooling-off period?

  Yes, ING Home and Contents Insurance features a 21-day cooling off period. Provided you have not made a claim, you can cancel your policy within the first 21 days and receive a full refund.

• Who underwrites the insurance?

  Auto & General Insurance Company Limited underwrites ING Home and Contents Insurance.

• How much will my premiums cost?

  The following range of factors can affect your home and contents insurance premiums:

  • The type and level of cover you select
  • Where you live
  • The age and materials used in the construction of your house
  • Whether you have any security devices installed
  • Your claims history
  • The excess you select
  • Whether you select any additional options
  • Any discounts that may apply

• How long will it take for my ING Home and Contents Insurance claim to be processed?

  Once you’ve provided full details of your claim and completed all the necessary documentation, you’ll be advised of the outcome within 14 business days.

• Will my sum insured change at each renewal?

  Yes, ING Home and Contents Insurance provides automatic sum insured adjustment when you renew your policy in order to cover increases in building/replacement costs.

• Does ING Home and Contents Insurance offer flood cover?

  Yes, but this is only available as an extra-cost option.