Home Insurance Discussion

megancc

Hi, i hope i am on the right forum... i am due renewal on my contents this week, however when Swinton called to give us the renewal price it was up over £20 a month (from £9.99 to £33) when i queried this they said it was because i claimed in august last year... i did call in august for accidental damage to a tablet- they took me through the questions and then said our insurance did not include tablets and other small electrical goods; so i forgot about it. BUT now they are saying that even though we did not get any insurance payout that we still "claimed" and that we have to declare this on any other quote we try to get.... are they right??? please if anyone can clarify this- i am totally confused to what insurance companies call "claim"?? thanks, Megan

Geoff_W

Just started checking out buildings and contents insurance policy's and came across an unexpected 'showstopper' with the John Lewis policy. Because we occasionally visit family in Australia, it is important that any policy allows us at least 45 or 60 consecutive days with the house being unoccupied. This has never been an issue with any previous insurer, but quite by chance I discovered that the John Lewis policy has a restriction of 60 days in total per year. Upon querying this, the representative pointed out the relevant wording in the policy document. Under the section Policy Conditions, sub-section Changes In Your Circumstances, it states they need informing within 30 days,

"If the home is going to be unoccupied. For the purposes of this condition,
unoccupied means your home is going to be left without any
occupants for more than a total of 60 days in any insurance period."

and then

"We may re-assess your cover and premiums when we are told about
changes in your circumstances. In certain circumstances your policy
might be invalid, the policy may be cancelled and you may be entitled
to a refund of premium. If you do not tell us about changes or give us
incorrect information, the wrong terms may be quoted and we will be
entitled to reject payment of a claim or a payment could be reduced.
In certain circumstances your policy might be invalid, the policy may be
cancelled and you may not be entitled to a refund of premium."

No other policy I have looked at is this restrictive, and I wonder how many people insured under a John Lewis Home insurance policy are aware of this or, indeed, might find themselves inadvertently invalidating their cover.

Quentin

megancc wrote: »

Hi, i hope i am on the right forum... i am due renewal on my contents this week, however when Swinton called to give us the renewal price it was up over £20 a month (from £9.99 to £33) when i queried this they said it was because i claimed in august last year... i did call in august for accidental damage to a tablet- they took me through the questions and then said our insurance did not include tablets and other small electrical goods; so i forgot about it. BUT now they are saying that even though we did not get any insurance payout that we still "claimed" and that we have to declare this on any other quote we try to get.... are they right??? please if anyone can clarify this- i am totally confused to what insurance companies call "claim"?? thanks, Megan

They are correct.

You have reported a loss, and they have correctly recorded it, and you do have to disclose it to other companies you approach for quotes.

vigman

I was advised to call my enquiry about a claim, an 'incident' when contacting other insurers.

Vigman

oxfordjackie

I have had same problem. I phoned last year about some loose tiles on my roof, insurance company said I can claim and I need to get quote, quote was only £120 and my excess was £100 so said not to bother with claim and repaired myself. I did the same thing with my husband glasses, just called then said I will not claim. But I have now been told I have to declare these as a claim, so when I am getting quotes I look like a serial claimer when I have not had a penny from anyone. I spoke to FSA and they said nothing I can do and they often get complaints like this! Anyone know how to get round this?

vigman

oxfordjackie wrote: »

I have had same problem. I phoned last year about some loose tiles on my roof, insurance company said I can claim and I need to get quote, quote was only £120 and my excess was £100 so said not to bother with claim and repaired myself. I did the same thing with my husband glasses, just called then said I will not claim. But I have now been told I have to declare these as a claim, so when I am getting quotes I look like a serial claimer when I have not had a penny from anyone. I spoke to FSA and they said nothing I can do and they often get complaints like this! Anyone know how to get round this?

Yes, call these 'incidents' as advised by a large insurance group. You are always asked if you have had claims, accidents or incidents when enquiring about new or renewal insurance.

Vigman

andymudge

Hello there ,

I have unfortunately been the victim of a burglary on my garage (not the first time either) I was wondering iof anybody might have some advice on this pls.

Along with usual garage contents tools , bike etc . My fishing tackle was stolen.
I normally keep my rod and pole bag in my spare bedroom as they are fairly fragile items and of high value. However I am moving the wall in this room so these items were placed in the garage.

Would they be classed as ''contents that are temporarily removed from the home'' as by definition that is exactly what they are.

I am thoroughly underinsured as it seems for the value of items taken , however this would bring my slightly closer to a reasonable replacement items.

Thanks in advance

Andrew

dacouch

andymudge wrote: »

Hello there ,

I have unfortunately been the victim of a burglary on my garage (not the first time either) I was wondering iof anybody might have some advice on this pls.

Along with usual garage contents tools , bike etc . My fishing tackle was stolen.
I normally keep my rod and pole bag in my spare bedroom as they are fairly fragile items and of high value. However I am moving the wall in this room so these items were placed in the garage.

Would they be classed as ''contents that are temporarily removed from the home'' as by definition that is exactly what they are.

I am thoroughly underinsured as it seems for the value of items taken , however this would bring my slightly closer to a reasonable replacement items.

Thanks in advance

Andrew

It's unlikely as your policy will normally have a definition of "Home" (You can find this in your policy under "definitions" or "meanings of words") which will normally define your "Home" as being the house and out buildings within it's boundary.

If you have expensive fishing equipment I assume you have "Personal Possessions / Belongings" cover if so there's a small chance you may be able to claim as well under that section.

Who are you insured with and do you have personal possessions?

andymudge

Hey there ,

apologies for double post , didnt see new thread tab at start.

I am with sheilas wheels. Yes I do have personal possesions it has a limit of £7000.

Hopeful that will be tagged ontop of outbuildings cover as they have taken a lot of branded power tools plus all of my match equipment , little !!!!!!s.

dacouch

andymudge wrote: »

Hey there ,

apologies for double post , didnt see new thread tab at start.

I am with sheilas wheels. Yes I do have personal possesions it has a limit of £7000.

Hopeful that will be tagged ontop of outbuildings cover as they have taken a lot of branded power tools plus all of my match equipment , little !!!!!!s.

What's your occupation?

Do you use the tools for business use?

How much contents cover do you have?