Home Insurance Discussion

moneysavvy35

Hi All

I posted a question on another forum, about getting contents insurance. I have had this answered. The story is I'm 35, been living in a Housing Association property for years now, but never, ever had insurance.

My sisters house got burglaed recently, and after saying to myself over the years 'I need to get insurance' I has really given me a kick up the backside to do something.

That brings me to here...I don't no what the hell I should be looking for, or what to do - do I need to go round my whole house and itemise what I have (which isn't much really)

Do I have to include my cooker, washing machine all items like that? I've even been reading about leather chairs being in the policy - I didn't even know you could include these type of things.

Ok so I said I haven't got much really - looking around my house quickly I have a telly, laptop, wii, ps3 just bits and bobs. How do I go about getting insured? Would I have to list things separtley such as Games console, to be insured against accidental damage and theft, telly (the same thing).

Sorry to ask so many questions, the more I look around the more confused I am.

I discovered I don't really need the buildings insurance as it will probably be covered through the Housing Association.

Thanks in advance

luci

If you turned the house upsides down, everything that would fall out would be classed as contents.

Some companies provide blanket cover based on the number of bedrooms, with others you have to state the value you want covered.

Have a look at the websites of some insurance companies. There was one I read recently that had a contents calculator. It may have been Legal and General, but I can't remember.

Most policies have optional extras such as accidental damage, cycles and freezer contents which may be worth considering, but they cost more. You can also get cover for articles away from the home if you often take valuables out with you.

These are just the basics and hoepfully there will be more input from others on this forum.

buzzby

Hi

thanks for all the advice. I think the best thing is to steer clear of the scooter.

Buzz

ajmcg_2

I am concerned that Martin should be recommending websites which are trying to gain business with dubious selling tactics. I know from years of experience as an employer that the majority of the population find it difficult to pay adequate attention to detail, and this is then being targetted by the likes of "Comparethemarket.com". I'm in the process of renewing my contents insurance and I've used Martin's recommendations and spent a great deal of time keying in very detailed and accurate information for the purpose of obtaining quotations. I received the best quotes via "ComparetheMarket" but further checking (which isn't easy to do and which won't be done by many enquirers) reveals that negative answers such as claims history have been deliberately ignored in order to give a cheap quote. To my mind this is dishonest and Martin should not tolerate such sites. In fact he should actively discourage their use. There are too many instances of companies targetting, and taking advantage of, the weak and vulnerable and a stance needs to be taken against them. Lets start with the insurance comparison websites!

mrsv05

hello, i really need everyones help asap. we just found out that we exchanged on a property today (been a fold up for days) and so now we must insure the new house until we complete. our current insurance on our current house runs out on the next week and we move just days later. our insurance is saying that we MUST take out 2 policies and then cancel one and pay a canx fee. one other company i called said its rubbish and they can temp cover it. the problem is what do we do about our current insurance? covering new place isnt a problem but the current one is as we didnt do that before when we moved, someone covered it for 2 weeks. thanks in advance

dacouch

Which Insurance Company are you with at the moment?

mrsv05

asda but they are very unhelpful

dacouch

Ahhh typical BDML, ring and speak to a superviser or better still just find a new company that are happy to cover both properties as there are plenty who will as it's fairly standard

mrsv05

well i thouight so but out of the 6 i called only one said its an everyday thing but they were also by far the dearest so back to square one. even a months policy to cover our 4 days would do but no go apparently. thanks for the help, ill keep trying

dacouch

Ring a local broker (not swintons) as they should be able to help you