How does one select an honest and reliable house insurance?

Brize

mikey72 wrote: »

I always have a problem with any poster who is in a business recommending that business, it always seems a vested interest.

Well, as you say, that's your problem. Cynicism can be healthy, but attacking someone merely for suggesting that someone use a broker instead of a meerkat to buy their insurance is a little OTT.

Brize

mikey72 wrote:

How do you find an honest and reliable broker?
They can't all be tainted by the industry they serve.

That's a difficult question to answer - personal recommendation, I suppose. I agree that it's not the most scrupulous industry, although standards are improving.

Quentin

Brize wrote: »

Cynicism can be healthy, but attacking someone merely for suggesting that someone use a broker instead of a meerkat to buy their insurance is a little OTT.

No-one has attacked you!

But many would disagree with this:

Brize wrote:

I stand by my comment that price comparison websites are for mugs

And say to you "You would say that, wouldn't you!"

(We all remember your vociferous support for the other rogue broker who co-incidentally sells the same policies you do who wanted us to "buy off a broker" rather than go direct!)

mikey72

Brize wrote: »

Well, as you say, that's your problem. Cynicism can be healthy, but attacking someone merely for suggesting that someone use a broker instead of a meerkat to buy their insurance is a little OTT.

You seem very hung up on that.
It's self defeating merely to try to rubbish your competition, but provide no other alternative.
(I don't need to, I can be impartial and rubbish you all)
The op has asked how to find a good insurer.
They're all going downhill rapidly, they are all increasing in price in a backhand way, and decreasing service.
Brokers like Saga are following the same market trends, rather than protecting their customers, so the best way has to be personal recommendation.
I am a cynic, the old names like NFU, Co-op, the slightly newer names like Direct Line are coming in badly as well now.

As to your question, do you not think you have led your industry into a dark place indeed, when the public would rather believe a meerkat is actually better, and more trustworthy to sell insurance?

Brize wrote: »

That's a difficult question to answer - personal recommendation, I suppose. I agree that it's not the most scrupulous industry, although standards are improving.

And that's what the op needs, whether it's a good broker, or a good insurer.
Not all are good, not all are bad.
A good broker will recommend a good insurer.
It helps to know if the recommendation is correct though.

I actually insure my vintage/kit car with a specialist company based on the fact they insure my daughter, and indeed all other young drivers, for a fair price on her classic car. I believe that should be rewarded, and if they are dearer for me, the fact they don't overcharge 17 year olds more than makes up for it. They don't get bad reviews, so we're all happy.

Brize

Ah, it's Officer Quentin from the self-appointed MSE police. I wondered when you'd show up.

Quentin wrote: »

We all remember your vociferous support for the other rogue broker who co-incidentally sells the same policies you do who wanted us to "buy off a broker" rather than go direct!

That's a disingenuous comment, as well you know: I acknowledged that I'd erred in backing the silver surfer in this post. Everyone else seems to have moved on - it's time you did too.

Quentin

Brize wrote: »

I acknowledged that I'd erred in backing the silver surfer in this post. Everyone else seems to have moved on - it's time you did too.

The comment was nothing to do with that thread you have (cleverly) linked to just a single post, when read on its own is out of context!

But this was your somewhat pompous comment in support of the rogue broker, and in line with your patronising attitude "anyone using a comparison site is a mug" comment above:

Brize wrote: »

What I do know is that there's an awful lot of bad advice on these boards, proffered by uninformed people who make their pronouncements with authority.

Brize

Quentin wrote:

But this was your somewhat pompous comment in support of the rogue broker, and in line with your patronising attitude "anyone using a comparison site is a mug" comment above

I stand by both of those comments. If that makes me pompous, then so be it. I've been called worse.

Esoog

Chaps, an elderly fellow came here looking for some advice and its descended into a fight

dunstonh

mid 70s is not elderly nowadays. He could be a sprightly pensioner.

lisyloo

I use Hiscox who are well known to be exceptional.
The only problem is that they are aimed at high value households so I think their minimum contents is around £75K.
So they will not be competitive for low or even average value households.

However there certainly are some good insurers around.

The price they charge me is very resaonable and competitive for what they cover, but it's high compared to an average household.