Home Insurance Discussion

Chudley_2

I was recently horrified to learn that my 91 year old step father was going to pay Coop Insurance £480 for Buildings and Contents insurance on a 3 bed semi.
He is very loyal to the Coop as he was employed by them all his working life - I made a 10 minute phone call and reduced the premium to £290 for identical cover (the only difference was I had to pay by card over the phone, they would not except a cheque). When I asked why the price difference, I was told simply that the old policy was taken out in 1984 and is no longer available.
As the Coop advertise themselves as an ethical company surely they should automatically review such policies, not rip off the elderly.

mitten123

I have the same problem with Swinton insurance. Depends whether your old insurance had run out cos they automatically cover you if you don't tell them before the start date that you are going to change. If it hasn't started yet I don't see how they can charge you a fee for changing.

MarcMarc

I have been told by Direct Line that I can expect to receive my renewed policy, followed by the cancelled confirmation of that same policy, because I was 'too close to the renewal date' to stop it. Last year M&S money actually sent out the renewed policy and helped themselves to payment, again citing that it was too close to the renewal date to stop it. I wish I could help myself to my employers' money (ie: my salary) before the due date, citing similar reasons!

You notice that I have a different insurance company each year, since I am fed up with going through the annual 'dance' of finding an alternative cheaper home insurance policy provider, then going back to my existing provider only for them to dramatically reduce my initial renewal quote to just under the rival quote. I have actually stopped doing this on principle - regarding the renewal price as Direct Line's (in this case, but it could be any provider) 'best and final quote', and I told them as much when I phoned up to cancel it. If everyone took this stance, maybe we would get a more 'up front' renewal price quote, thus avoiding the tiresome 'bidding war' that is renewal quoting.

katejo

In Sept 2011 Direct Line quoted me a much higher figure to renew. I rang to query the increase and they dropped it back to the previous year's amount. In Sept 2012 they once again gave an increase so i rang again. That time they refused to lower it. I am going to look for a better deal for this year's renewal.

katejo

JillyJolly wrote: »

Has anyone here actually used an insurance company that was a success for you when you made a claim?

I check all the reviews of so many companies that I'm getting quotes from, from price compare websites but when I check reviews they are all very negative with most people having bad experiences with them when making a claim.

So can I actually trust any of these companies and if so who? Or is this just a waste of time. Surely one company will be okay?

Really hope someone will respond this time I'm moving my stuff in today and I really need the insurance sorted.

I have made a claim with Direct Line this year and they paid up without any problem but it was only a small and straightforward one for 1 broken window due to an attempted break in.

kjfmuttie

I'm insured by LV. After years of drains problems and even spending nearly £2k myself to sort, finally asked LV if they would cover the repair of drains that were badly laid initially.
They agreed to accept the clain without complaint or hassle. The workmen were at the house solid for 1 week and relaid most of the drains.

rob200375

Hi,

I have received a renewal from my current provider - Santander - the policy has gone up to £640 per year nearly 50% more, I called Santander about this and they adived it was due to the new flood risk checks they do, I am right on the edge of the chart and in low risk area.

I have since done a quote from go compare and I got a re-quote of £134 per year.

I was asked the question - "Ever been flooded from an outside source"

I answered No after reading this description
"Have you ever been flooded from an outside source, such as from a river or other watercourse? this does not include flooding caused by burst pipes or leaking water storage tanks."

The key words I saw was "you" I know about 45-50 years ago our area of the town flooded, they then put in a flood defense system and after all the rain last year and earlier this year we had no problems what so ever.

So i answered it as no because I have lived in the house for nearly 10 years and never had any flooding issues in the whole area while I have lived at the house and been a resident in the area.

Does anyone think this will cause a problem with any insurance claims.

I have never claimed house insurance ever in 17 years of cover, so not expecting to claim now, but wanted to ask if anyone else has had the same experience and how they went about it.

£470+ difference is a lot, I havent even checked quidco yet.

drkofglos

:j :T:TI'D LIKE TO REPORT GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE +++ from Legal & General ) Very happy !
Last week I got the MSE email about a £80.00 M&S voucher via L&G . SO I got a quote. This quote was £70 cheaper than my erstwhile insurer and had much more cover including emergency call out cover. Howver I forgot to action it. This morning is July and the discount code was for last month . I called L&G and spoke to someone in thsi country who was very helpful and had a sense of humour but was not over familiar . He at first said it wasn't possible but said after a while he'd apply some common sense . A few minutes later came back to me saying all OK and could do . So All in policy Buildings and contents for a 5 bed detached house £600K + £60K contents added extras + £80.00 M&S vouchers in 75 days . Very happy . Well done MSE and Legal and General !:T:T:j

antonywlittle

Just renewed my buildings and contents insurance. Renewal figure was £408 (£80 more than last year). Phoned them and they immediately reduced it to £340 with no policy changes. Why on earth could they not have given that figure in the renewal docs. Told them to stuff it anyway and paid £170 for nearly identical insurance advertised on a comparison site. And yes, I know I may be taking a bit of a risk if I have to claim. But, why do I have to do this every year, does loyalty count for nothing? Call me old fashioned, but I really dislike this idea of having to negotiate the price of insurances, TV, mobile phones all the time. Why can't we just have an honest price for everything. Anybody out there agree (or not) with my rant?

DaiTheBook

Had a renewal reminder from the Nationwide for buildings and contents for£616, it seemed high so using the MSE advice and guidance section have had a quote £440 cheaper, BIG Thanks!!