Insurance & Your Shade Sail
Is my shade sail covered by my insurance? It’s a question we get asked a lot, so here’s a handy guide to insurance and your shade sail. We know that understanding your insurance policy can be difficult at the best of times and we’re here to help. But every insurance policy is different, so check your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or talk to your provider for more specific information or advice.
Is a shade sail insured as part of the home or contents?
You probably consider your new shade sail to be a permanent part of your home, but your insurer might not. Most insurance companies define a permanent fixture as something that cannot be removed without causing damage to a structure. In that case, the sail itself would be categorised as part of the contents of your home. The sail mounts, on the other hand, could be insured under your home or building insurance.
Most insurers do not specifically mention shade sails or how they’re covered but some, including RACQ and Budget Direct, do. If your insurance clearly defines a shade sail that will override any other definitions or rules. Any structure you’ve had built for your shade sail is generally covered by home insurance but there can be exclusions. Check what kind of structures are covered and how they are defined. For example, several posts supporting sail coming off your home would be categorized differently to a stand-alone hipped shade structure.
When is the shade sail covered?
Once you’ve figured out whether your shade sail is included in home or contents insurance, or both, the hardest part is over. If your insurer doesn’t specifically list shade sails as part of any exclusions it generally means that your sail has the same protections as everything else included in that policy. For example, if your sail is covered by your building policy and it includes impact cover if a tree falls and damages the sail you can make a claim for the damages.
There are some exclusions if your sail is considered part of your contents. Some policies will refuse to cover anything left outside, even though shade sails are designed to be out in the elements. To get better protection for your shade sail you don’t necessarily have to change insurance provider, many have tiers of cover or optional extras you can add that can increase your coverage. Other policies may cover items designed for outdoor use and/or have a reduced payout for replacing or repairing contents that are left outdoors.
What’s the right insurance?
That answer will be different for everyone. Having your shade sail covered in its entirety under your building policy will generally have broader and easier to understand coverage. If it’s insured across your home and contents policies, it can be difficult to understand exactly what’s covered and what isn’t. By staying informed, you can make sure your policy is protecting you and your shade sail.
Remember we’ve only looked at general home and contents policies here. Many insurers adjust policies to account for high-value or specialist items people own. There are specialised cover options out there, so talk to your provider and you might also be able to get an altered policy that caters to your shade sail.
Repairs and replacements with Custom Made Shade Sails
If your shade sail has been damaged by hail, wind, storm or fire and is covered by your insurance policy, we can help. Custom Made Shade Sails can provide an onsite insurance quote to replace your shade sail. We are committed to delivering insurance replacements for your shade sail quickly and within your budget.
We combine hard-wearing fabric and high-strength, marine-grade stainless steel fittings and perimeter cables to create our superior quality shade sails. Our sails are designed to be resilient, stable and long-lasting in the unpredictable Australian weather. With our unrivalled 10-year warranty on the fabric and stitching as well as local expert installers, your insurance replacement is in safe hands with Custom Made Shade Sails. Give us a call and get started on your insurance repair or replacement now.
