Recommendations for insurance company please

kazza2

I want to choose a buildings and contents insurer based upon their service and not price. Can you recommend please? Thanks.

kingstreet

Can you give us a clue what you want to insure?

kazza2

I want buildings and contents insurance. The comparison sites only seem to use price as a factor and not service!

** UPDATE ** I just got a recommendation for Northern Rock's service as follows:

Had my insurance with Northern Rock. I got burgled and had to claim a large amount of sum due to the value of stolen goods. Lots of stuff was stolen so the procedure took a bit long (3 months) but I had all the receipts as I purchase lots of my stuff online so I had copies on the Internet. I got my claim safely. This was last year and last week, I received a letter from them saying the insurance premium is due renewal. The premium didn't go up a penny, BUT they want me to have an alarm set up on my house. That's about it really.
Hope this helps.

kingstreet

Hiscox and NFU are generally viewed as being at the better end of the service scale. Hiscox probably offers better cover too. Still, you can guarantee now I've said this there will be a deluge of anti-Hiscox and anti-NFU posts.

dunstonh

Those two would have been at my top end for quality as well.

kazza2

Thanks for the advice. Getting quotes from both

InsideInsurance

Hiscox 505 if your mid networth (you buy it directly from them) or 606 if your high net worth (you have to buy via a broker)

Also look at http://defaqto.com/star-ratings/find-product/premier-home-insurance/5

This of cause is based on how comprehensive the coverage is more than the quality of service but one can be an ok proxy for the other.

Sally_A

I found Ecclesiastical were excellent when we had a break in.

Don't forget to check the extras

Pedal Cycles
Camping Gear
Sports Gear
Specifield All Risks
Unspecified All Risks
Freezer contents
30 day baggage cover for holidays.
Personal Money

Also check there is no upper limit within contents for electricals, valuables, artwork etc in your home.

kingstreet

Looks like Northern Rock B&C is just a badged Axa product, so your service requirements are based on how they deal with customers. Can't tel you more than that, sorry.

Home insurance arranged through Northern Rock plc is underwritten by AXA Insurance UK plc. Northern Rock plc and AXA Insurance UK plc are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

The Emergency Helpline is provided by AXA Assistance. Advice on private legal problems is provided by Arc Legal Assistance Ltd. Advice on domestic emergencies is provided by Homeserve Claims Management Ltd.

Specific policy elements: Family Legal Protection, Legal Expenses and Tenancy Disputes & Rent Guarantee covers are underwritten by Inter Partner Assistance S.A. (IPA) and administered by Arc Legal Assistance Ltd. Home Assistance is underwritten by Inter Partner Assistance S.A. (IPA) and administered by Homeserve Claims Management Ltd. IPA is a wholly owned subsidiary of AXA Assistance, which is authorised by the Commission Bancaire, Financère et des Assurance (CBFA) in Belgium and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

mikey72

Sainsburys (St Andrews Ins) seems quite good on paper, but I've no experience other than paying them.

Avoid Esure I think might be true at the moment.

Dynamic_Panda

I have my insurance with Marks & Spencers (AXA) and they are very good from a customer service point of view............no additional costs for making an amendment to the policy............not had to claim through them fortunately...........From a claims point of view when we were with LV the claims service was very good and I am not just saying that because I used to work for them............we had two claims one of which was settled promptly, the other took time to settle because of issues with the supplier of a new front door and continually calling them out to resolve issues with it...........

DP