Barter & Partner

Here we present you a collection of the most frequent questions concerning insurance policies and of cource also the referring answers. If you have further questions please send us an e-mail.

Please click on the questions below to see the according answers.

Questions concerning the insurance of household contents

With our Home & Art policy, you have chosen comprehensive protection for your home. You can either insure buildings and household contents together or separately. Here are some FAQs concerning household contents:

• What’s the difference between a normal household insurance and the one offered by Barta & Partners?

  More than 40% of the claims reported at Barta & Partners would not be covered by common household insurances. Insurances by Barta & Partners provide optimum coverage for households with high standards. In addition to that, you enjoy our personal services, from designing your individual, clear policy to settling a possible claim quickly and smoothly.

• How do you solve the problem of underinsurance?

  There is generally no underinsurance in case of household contents, objects of art and valuables. The same regulations apply to the insurance of buildings in case Barta & Partners has been provided with an appraisal.

• When do I have to report a change of residence?

  A change of residence has to be reported within 90 days. During this period, household contents as well as objects of art and valuables are automatically insured in both places.

• Does the insurance also cover a lawn mower or the like, which is kept in a garden house outside the main building?

  Yes, it does.

• Does the insurance also cover the loss or damage of an expensive racing bicycle worldwide?

  Yes, it does. The value of insured items does not need to be explicitly stated as long as it does not exceed € 1,500. For more expensive bicycles, it suffices to name the desired sum insured.

• Do I need additional insurance for sporting guns?

  No, you don’t. Sporting guns can be included as valuables into the Household Content, Art or Valuables policies. They are insured worldwide.

• What happens if a Hi-Fi system is damaged by excess voltage caused by lightning?

  Damage caused by excess voltage and/or lighting is covered.

• Are household contents kept in a car insured against theft?

  Yes, they are, provided that the car was properly locked.

• Do I have to notify the insurance company if I acquire new, expensive designer furniture or the like?

  Benefits of 20% of the total sum insured are automatically valid until the end of the insurance year for household contents, objects of art and valuables. Barta & Partners will remind you to report the acquisition of new items before the insurance year comes to an end.

• Do I have to notify the insurance company if I am abroad for half a year or more and my apartment remains unoccupied?

  Yes, you do, as this represents an increased risk.

• Is luggage also covered by the insurance?

  Yes, it is. Luggage is covered at 100% of the sum insured worldwide, provided that it is not removed from the place insured for more than 3 months.

• What does the insurance of cash, bonds, furs and jewellery look like?

  Cash, bonds, furs, jewellery and the like are basically insured against all risks (up to the agreed sum insured) with the exception of those that have been explicitly excluded.

• Do I have to photograph jewellery?

  No, you don’t have to, but Barta & Partners advises you to do so as it facilitates the determination of value as well as a possible recovery in case of loss.

• Do I have to keep the receipts of valuables?

  It would be better to do so since it facilitates the determination of value in case of damage if the value has not already been agreed on upon conclusion of the insurance contract.

Questions concerning buildings insurance

With our Home & Art policy, you have chosen comprehensive protection for your home. You can either insure buildings and household contents together or separately. Here are some FAQs concerning buildings insurance:

• Is there an extra charge on the insurance premium for luxury equipment such as underfloor heating, winter gardens or pools?

  No, there is not. Barta & Partners does not ‘punish’ clients for appreciating luxury equipment.

• Can the increasing value of an item result in underinsurance?

  Barta & Partners automatically calculates a 10% benefits insurance. Apart from that, you should report any reconstructions or extensions that could increase the value of a building to the insurance company. Thus, the sum insured can be adjusted to the increased value.

• Is a garage outside the residential building also covered by the insurance?

  Yes, all outbuildings are covered as long as they have been considered in the sum insured.

• Do I have to notify the insurance company if part of my house is used as an office?

  If the office is used for business, a medical practice or the like, you have to notify the insurer.

• If a tree falling onto my house causes damage to the roof, is this damage covered by my buildings insurance?

  Yes, it is, regardless of the force of the storm causing the damage.

• Does the buildings insurance cover damage to the glass of a big patio door?

  Yes, our Home & Art Policy provides insurance against glass breakage.

• How is the appropriate sum insured determined for valuable buildings?

  Barta & Partners offers especially developed house appraisals.

Questions concerning collections of art, antiques or other collectibles

Our Art & Collection Policy is particularly designed to meet the needs of collections of art, antiques or other collectibles. Here are some questions concerning this topic:

• How is the value of a collection established?

  The value is established by the collector, by a professional appraiser or by means of receipts.

• Do I have to inform the insurance company about purchase or sale of collectibles?

  Yes, you do. In the case of newly purchased items, benefits of 10% apply until the end of the insurance year. In the case of sale, the premium can be reduced.

• What kind of security measures are required for valuable collections?

  Required security measures depend on the type of collection and the location. You definitely do not need to turn your house into a fortress though!

• How can I prevent underinsurance if the value of my collection is increasing?

  This problem is handled in the beginning by means of the benefits clause; in the long run, regular adjustments of the insurance sum every second or third year prevent underinsurance.

• Do I have to photograph and document all items of my collection?

  Listing the values of each item is usually required, documenting the collection on photos is advisable.

• If an object of art has to be restored, can I freely pick a restorer of my choice?

  Yes, you can. Barta & Partners does, however, support its clients by using its international network to find the appropriate restorer.

• Are objects of art also insured while being lent to an exhibition?

  Yes, they are insured for up to 10% of the total sum insured. Higher sums can be inquired any time.

• How can Barta & Partners assist in recovering lost or stolen objects of art?

  Selected partners are members of the Art Loss Register, which uses databases to search for the object in question by using photo material and various data such as size, material, age, origin, etc. (see also www.artloss.com). For unusual cases, Barta & Partners also employs its own specialist in art theft.

Questions concerning Classic Cars

Our Classic Cars Policy is an insurance policy especially designed for your very special vehicle, but also for collections or museums of vintage cars. Here are some questions concerning this topic:

• From which year of construction onwards is a car concerned a classic?

  There is basically no limit as to the vehicle’s year of construction, which means that also fairly ‚young’ cars can be insured with Barta & Partners’ Classic Cars policy. The insurance rate is determined by taking into account the type of vehicle, its value and its annual road mileage.

• Are there certain regulations as to the use of cars insured with the Classic Cars Policy?

  Barta & Partners assumes that your beloved vehicles are treated with the care they deserve. In the case of very expensive cars, such as a Ferrari, we would like to be informed in which countries these cars are driven.

• Does the frequency with which a car is used influence the insurance premium?

  Yes, it does. The lower the annual mileage, the lower the premium.

• Are there special security measures to be taken when insuring a car with the Classic Cars Policy?

  Valuable vehicles or entire collections need to be adequately protected against theft. Barta & Partners will be glad to provide individual expert advice as to which security measures need to be taken.
  Does the insurance also cover the costs of inquiries in case a very special part of the engine needs to be found?
  Yes, costs are covered up to the individually agreed sum.
  

• Does the insurance also cover shipping costs in case the vehicle has to be taken to a specialist garage abroad?

  Yes, costs are cover up to the individually agreed sum.

• Do I have to provide appraisals for each single vehicle?

  Not necessarily. Our clients often have a very precise idea of their vehicle’s value. In this case, all we need is a verification of this value by a qualified specialist. If there is no idea as to the value of the vehicle in question, Christie’s Expert Service can be taken advantage of at no charge.

Questions concerning summer homes

Our Mundial Policy is specifically tailored to fit the needs of an insurance for summer homes. Here are some questions concerning this topic:

• Is there a difference between the coverage of summer homes and normal real estates?

  Yes, there is. Conventional buildings and household content insurances do not cover damage to buildings that have been unoccupied for more than 60 days. Summer homes are also frequently located in different parts of the world, where risks are much higher than in the country of the client’s residence. Earthquakes, landslides or heavy storms, but also crime or damage caused by fire or water endanger properties abroad. Therefore, a special insurance policy meeting the special needs of homes abroad, such as our Mundial Policy, has decisive advantages over standard insurances.

• Does this special insurance policy also cover summer homes in the country of residence?

  Due to the fact that it often remains unoccupied for quite a while, a summer home is always more in danger than your home, not only abroad but also when located in your country of residence. It is certainly more inviting for burglars and a burst water pipe can also cause much more damage than in a house you constantly live in. Therefore, a special insurance for summer homes does not only make sense for properties abroad but also for those located in your country of residence.