Home & contents confusion!

Nara

Hi all,

Just cancelled my insurance with Nationwide as i was paying way over the top on an old policy.

On Go compare Esure were the cheapest, but when i rang Nationwide and told them this she started reeling off the differences between the cover in the insurance types. Now it sounds like Nationwide cover alot more at a higher price.
She also said i have to pay 8% interest per month if paying DD with Esure.

Now I'm more confused then when i started!!

What do i have to look out for? I'm worried that if i go with the cheapest that it won't cover for certain things, or not enough.

I have had home/contents insurance for 7 years and never claimed, but i just know if i go with the cheapest that my house will get struck by lightening and then burn to the ground only for me to find out i cocked up and aren't covered enough:rotfl:

Its been a bad year!:rotfl:

Any advice on what small print terms i should be checking?

huckster

You have to be really careful with Esure and other companies that are part of the Lloyds Insurance group. They appear to like to find reasons not to pay claims and like to cancel policies if they find out the sum insured was insufficient.

So make sure if you go with Esure that the sums insured are adequate to cover the total risk and that you have disclosed all information that they have requested.

With Esure I note that the Buildings cover is for an unlimited amount, so it is just a case of making sure you have declared all information totally accurately. Take out the accidental damage cover to make sure you have the fullest cover they offer. With the Contents cover, make sure the Contents cover will cover the total replacement value of all the contents in your home, garage, shed. In the event of some claims they will check the value of your contents and if you are under-insured by a certain level, don't expect any discretion to be shown. Make sure you take the accidental damage option to have their fullest level of cover.

Some of these comments also apply to other companies. But some companies are better than others, when customers have made genuine mistakes. Proceed with care by taking the time to check all information and only click to pay if you are sure all is correct. Check your documents carefully and phone them if you have any queries.

dacouch

For a laugh ring Esure up and tell them what Nationwide have said, they will also have a crib sheet to read off differences in their cover over Nationwides.

Just before they start ask them to hit you with their "Features and Benefits" and "USPs"

dunstonh

On Go compare Esure were the cheapest, but when i rang Nationwide and told them this she started reeling off the differences between the cover in the insurance types. Now it sounds like Nationwide cover alot more at a higher price.

Home insurance comes in standard form. To which you can add accidental damage (where the majority of claims fall under), personal possessions cover and a range of other things. The more you have on a policy, the more expensive it will be but the better coverage it will have.

It used to be a ploy of the old direct cold callers to offer more basic cover and sell by price. i.e. tell you that they were cheaper but not tell you that you are getting less for your money. Nowadays that doesnt tend to happen, although internet quote sites do tend to list in price order and if you dont compare like for like then you can end up with an inferior policy than you had before.

Some areas in particular are prone to people making mistake. I would say that two most common DIY errors are:
1 - replacing a home insurance policy with accidental damage and/or personal possessions cover with standard cover without realising it.
2 - mixing up terminal illness cover with critical illness cover on life assurance plans

Nara

dacouch wrote: »

For a laugh ring Esure up and tell them what Nationwide have said, they will also have a crib sheet to read off differences in their cover over Nationwides.

Just before they start ask them to hit you with their "Features and Benefits" and "USPs"

Yeah i thought as much!!

I have checked Esure and it includes accidental damage for both, also

• FREE Family Legal Protection for the first year (online customers only)
• FREE Home Emergency Cover for the first year (online customers only)

Esure have quoted £12 a month and Nationwide £25 a month:eek: and thats including a 30% discount for having another product with them.

So its quite a big difference! Think i will take a risk and go for the cheaper one as it seems to cover as much as i need and tbh, i have never claimed in the whole time i have owned a house!

And considering i was paying £37 a month a nice saving all round

PS:The other thing she said to scare me was that my mortgage is based on having valid cover ! So i don't want to invalidate that!