Home insurance covers your immediate family but some home insurance can also cover an au pair or live-in nanny. If you are involved in a legal dispute regarding your au pair, the costs may also be covered by your home insurance.

As a home insurance quote can vary, when you check the definitions section of your home insurance policy document you may find that the term ‘domestic staff’ only includes employees who live in your home. A part time nanny or babysitter, for example, may not be covered.

House and home insurance policies may include any worker that carries out domestic duties but only if their work is connected to your home and not to your business. Other home property insurance providers won’t cover the belongings of domestic staff at all so it is well worth checking the contents of your home insurance policy document.

If your home insurance quote covers your au pair’s belongings as well as your own, then your home insurance provider will probably limit the amount they will pay out. Cheap home insurance often keeps limits low but reputable home insurance could pay as much as £1,000 for each employee.

The UK enjoys a high standard of childcare. According to inspections carried out by Ofsted between 1st July 2011 and 30th September 2011, 74% of early years registered providers received good or outstanding when inspected and 96% were considered satisfactory or above.¹

However this standard of childcare is often extremely costly. Au pairs are a relatively affordable way to get live-in help with your children. Whilst an international au pair has the opportunity to learn English to a high standard, your children could also benefit from the cultural exchange.

Before long, au pairs can feel like members of the family but as they are technically employees, you or a member of your family could become home inslegally liable for their wellbeing. If your au pair falls ill, or even in the tragic event of their death, your home insurance may protect you financially from legal repercussions.

Once again your home insurance may issue a limit on the amount that they will pay out. Reputable home insurance often offers as much as £10,000,000 and includes the costs and expenses of the person making the claim.

As the whole family often becomes close to the au pair, and in many cases au pairs go on to be lifelong friends, it can be reassuring to know that they are recognised by your home insurance.

[1] – www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/official-statistics-early-years-and-childcare-registered-providers-inspections-and-outcomes

Company Profile:

John Lewis Insurance offers a range of insurance services selected by the John Lewis Partnership. These include car, life, travel, wedding, event, pet and home and contents insurance products.

For more information about John Lewis Home Insurance please visit the website here – www.johnlewis-insurance.com/homepage/home-insurance.html.

John Lewis Insurance is a trading name of John Lewis plc. John Lewis plc is an appointed representative of AXA Insurance UK plc which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and eligibility criteria apply. A full copy of the policy wording and the insurance complaints procedure are available on request.