Domestic Package

A domestic package is an insurance policy that provides cover to individuals against risks present in their private dwelling.  This package places a number of covers under one policy to cater for different insurable interests in private homes.

Building Section

A building is defined as a private dwelling house or private flat including domestic outbuildings, landlords’ fixtures and fittings, walls, gate and fences, all on the same premises.

The building is covered against the following risks:-

• Natural causes e.g. earthquake, storm and tempest, lightning etc.
• Human causes e.g. riot and strike, malicious damage, theft etc.
• Chemical related causes e.g. explosion of domestic gas cylinders etc.
• Miscellaneous caused e.g. bursting and overflowing of water tanks, apparatus, pipes and impact by road vehicles and animals.

Contents Section

Contents are defined as consisting of furniture, household goods and personal effects of every description, the property of the insured or any member of his family normally residing with him, and fixtures and fittings, the insured’s own or for which he is legally responsible, not being landlord’s fixtures and fittings.

Additional Sections (Extensions)

All Risks section

This section provides very wide cover in respect of specified portable items, which are, carried outside the house e.g. cameras, radio, jewellery etc.  This section covers risks like accidental damage and theft that’s not forceful.

Workmen’s’ Compensation Section(recently amended Oct 07)

This covers domestic servants e.g. house helps, watchmen, shamba boys and chauffeurs.  The cover provided is in respect of injury, death or disease arising out of and in the course of employment.

The Workmen’s’ Compensation Act 1987 requires all employers to compensate employees who are injured or die or contract diseases arising out of and in the course of employment.

Liability Section

This section covers third parties who sustain injury or die whilst at the private dwelling house due to the negligence of the owner or occupier.  Most policies provide a limit of Kshs. 500,000/= 

Exclusions

• This policy has several exclusions as follows:-
• Homes located in and around slum areas
• Temporary and semi-permanent houses e.g. timber and mabati houses
• Loss or damage caused by a member of the household
• Loss or damage caused when the home is left unfurnished or unoccupied for more than 30 consecutive days
• Damage to electronic and electrical items caused by power fluctuations.   

Underwriting Guidelines

• The proposer must provide a schedule of items he wants covered under the policy.  An inventory guide is provided to assist in the classification of the items.  The items must have their values indicated.  For ‘all risks’ the serial numbers, makes, model numbers should be indicated.
• A proposal form should be filled and the physical location and nature of the construction indicated clearly.
• We may decline to offer cover where antiselection is evident. This means choosing the most risky items for cover e.g. radios, TVs, jewellery and leaving out the items that have low risk e.g. furniture.  We prefer that all items are put on cover without selection.
• Names and ID numbers of domestic staff must be indicated where cover is sought for such staff.
• Valuation certificates or purchase receipts must be provided for jewellery.

Claim Process

In the event of a loss incident, the insured must contact the APA Insurance immediately and fill a claim form.  A police abstract must also be produced.  We would  then register the claim and allocate a claim number. An investigator will then be appointed.