Finding Insurance after a Burglary

paranoid_android_2

Hello all,

Hopefully someone out there can help me out. Me and my partner moved into a new rented house in August, and although we fully intended on getting contents insurance, it was just one of those things we let slide. Foolish, I know, but that's that fact of it, and it can't be undone now.

In early November, we had a burglary. We both work during the day, and when we got home we found the house had been search though, and many things were missing. We had locked all the doors and windows, but they forced open a kitchen window in the back garden, breaking the window box, but not the glass. Mostly, it was thinks like laptops, ipods, cameras, etc, but a few things of sentimental value. It was very upsetting, but I have put most of that behind me as one of life's lessons.

The sting now comes from our inability to get insurance. Now that we are calling around and trying to get insurance, we can't find a company who will offer us a policy. Direct Line refused us outright. The AA gave us some line about not being able to insure us because we have not had contents insurance in the past. Endsleigh said they could not ensure us because of the post code, however a mate 2 minutes away can get insurance from Endsleigh. This is really depressing because it seems to be confirming my partners fears that the burgers will return some time in the future, to collect all the things we got to replace the last items that went missing. Christmas is coming, and we're worried about this happening again.The first time was bad enough, but the second time around would be too much, especially if we have no insurance.

Can anyone offer some suggestions? I don't mind paying for a more expensive policy, I understand if we are seen as risky. But we would fell a lot better if we had some sort of coverage.

Thanks,
Adam

cogito

You've been doing the rounds of insurers that trade on the net or sell direct to the public when you really need to talk to a specialist personal lines broker. Unless you live in a poor area or are a student (the reference to Endsleigh makes me wonder) you shouldn't have a problem getting cover, albeit it's unlikely to be cheap. You may also be required to beef up your security but you should probably do that anyway.

paranoid_android_2

Hi Cogito,

Thanks for the quick reply. We aren't students, we both work full-time. I didn't think it was a poor area. It's a relatively new build neighbourhood and most everyone is young professionals, or young families. Seems nive to me anyway

I never thought of seeking out a personal line broker. To be honest I don't know much about it. How would I go about finding one?

I've been thinking about getting an alarm. The police officer who came to the house after suggested it as well. He said that they don't always stop them from breaking in, but when an alarm goes off, they don't stick around. They don't want to chance getting caught. They do seem to vary greatly in price, and I'm not certain on what I should be looking for.

Thanks,
Adam

lisyloo

Have you tried Hiscox?
They are not the cheapest but they are very good.

I would suggest you get a safe and bolt it to your floorboards in a hidden location.
I knwo it won't deter armed robbers or very determined tooled-up burglars but it will deter the vast majority of opportunist thefts.

We had quite a high value of contents and Hiscox told us we had to have an alarm that was annually serviced.

You can also get monitored alarm systems which are linked to monitoring centers.
Obviously there is cost attached but you've had the experience so you know whether it's worth it to you.

Bear in mind that if you declare an alarm to an insurer then generally they expect you to have it ON.
This means if you forget and then try to claim when you got a discount then they might not pay out.
Hiscox were very good and told me they wouldn't penalise us if we popped out for 5 minutes and didn't put it on, but be aware that sometimes it's not worth acceptting the discounts on offer.

cogito

Alarm systems acceptable to insurers must normally be installed by a member of the National Security Inspectorate or the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board. Look in Yellow Pages for a member (same for a broker).

For the average household an audible system would be OK but it must be subject of a maintenance contract. A simple system with door contacts and movement detectors wouldn't cost the earth.

To be honest, I think a dog has more deterrent value than an alarm system.

lisyloo

To be honest, I think a dog has more deterrent value than an alarm system.

Yes, but you're not providing insurance policies are you? :-)
What matters is what insurers insist on.

Apparently insurers don't rate my safe idea very much, but if it means they take the cosutme jewelry and leave the sentimantal stuff then it works for me.

It has to be a combination of what works for you plus what works for the insurer.

dunstonh

ADT fitted my alarm and its centrally connected. They have only increased the annual price once in 10 years and the fitting costs were good and annual visits are free. They are well worth a look if you do go down the alarm route.

ajb69

paranoid_android wrote: »

I never thought of seeking out a personal line broker. To be honest I don't know much about it. How would I go about finding one?

To answer this particular question, go down your local high street or look in Yellow Pages - they'll be under insurance brokers.

Hiscox are also good as they are one of the few insurers who still operate on an "all risks" basis - that is, your claim will be covered unless specifically excluded, whereas most insurers will exclude your claim unless they specifically state it is covered. They also have a reputation for excellent claim service.

Having said that, I suspect you may get a better quote (if maybe worse claim service) out of a broker, given that you have already had a burglary. Hiscox's premium prices also tend to make most sense in houses with above-average value of contents; if you've got under 50,000 GBP of contents, they will look quite expensive compared to other insurers.

Cheers

Drew

JS101

I would recommend some form of self-insurance. This will avoid the likely costly premiums but do ensure that you take maximum protection measures.

A mortis lock for the door, maybe bar up the windows for extra security. I was watching Home Alone 2 the other evening and you could adapt some in-house measures like used in that movie... akin to a boobie trap. Perhaps connect a particular lamp to a blow-torch, just remember to tell your partner which one you have adapted because if he isnt bald already he would be if he turned on the wrong light.

The courts are becoming more sympathetic with victims of burglary who strike back in their sentencing, this is a direct response to the rise in intruders entering homes since the recession. One who commits a first offence is unlikely to do bird.