Current insurer unable to offer me a renewal premium, is this insurance refused?

blademan57

I have had three genuine claims on my buildings policy in the last year total value approx £3,000. My insurer has told me their underwriters are unable to offer me a renewal premium because of claims history. Does this count as having insurance refused when i contact other insurance companies to arrange cover?

Quentin

Yes it is a "refusal" - though in any case most off the peg insurers won't quote with your claims history.

See if a local broker can help.

huckster

Agree. Be prepared for a sizeable increase in premium and/or a large excess.

Local broker may be able to help.

If not, Try Towergate.

blademan57

What is the difference then from between refusing to quote and refusing to insure. This is what I have been told by my insurer

"Unfortunately due to the claims on your policy our insurance underwriters are unable to offer you a renewal premium" so they havent said they wont insure

Is there a difference?

huckster

blademan57 wrote: »

What is the difference then from between refusing to quote and refusing to insure. This is what I have been told by my insurer

"Unfortunately due to the claims on your policy our insurance underwriters are unable to offer you a renewal premium" so they havent said they wont insure

Is there a difference?

If they won't quote you a premium, they won't Insure you.

They could have just given you a ridiculous premium and terms, which would have forced you to change Insurers.

If you are unhappy with the refusal, go back to the Insurers and ask them to check whether their underwriters would be prepared to offer a quote at a level relevant to claims history, rather than just refuse to quote

blademan57

Thanks I contacted the insurer as you requested and got the following reply:

"I can advise that you will not need to declare us being unable to offer you a renewal of your policy with future insurers.

It is just that we are unable to offer you a renewal, we are not cancelling your policy just unable to continue cover at renewal."

thanks for the advice anyway

lisyloo

It's not up your current insurer to decide what future insurers need to know.
If you are unsure you should specifically ask your future insurer, that would be the safest way.
The reply you have has no authority over future insurers.

Quentin

blademan57 wrote: »

Thanks I contacted the insurer as you requested and got the following reply:

"I can advise that you will not need to declare us being unable to offer you a renewal of your policy with future insurers.

It is just that we are unable to offer you a renewal, we are not cancelling your policy just unable to continue cover at renewal."

Who wrote this???

They say you need not declare them "being unable to offer you a renewal".

Then in the next sentence contradict themselves by confirming "we are unable to offer you a renewal"!!!

huckster

A bit silly to state something which the OP may rely on when making a declaration to new Insurers. Hope they keep the letter, just in case this caused a problem in the future.

While this refusal to offer renewal may not appear on any database, the claims and the refusal to offer renewal terms is relevant to a new Insurer.

Quentin

blademan57 wrote: »

Thanks I contacted the insurer as you requested and got the following reply:

"I can advise that you will not need to declare us being unable to offer you a renewal of your policy with future insurers.

It is just that we are unable to offer you a renewal, we are not cancelling your policy just unable to continue cover at renewal."

This is a typical statement home insurance customers are asked to agree to regarding previous problems:

No insurer has cancelled, declined to accept or renew any insurance, restricted my/our cover nor imposed any other special terms or conditions, nor has any person living in the home had a policy declared void.

So beware the advice your insurer has given you in their reply (or write and ask them to clarify their contradictory statement!)