Legal & General "unable to renew" insurance

Marksfish

After many years with the one insurer, we have had a pretty miserable 2012. We have had to make 2x burglary/ theft claims in the last 4 months, 3 years previously we had an escape of water claim. Rather than just increasing our premium to a unreal amount, they have written to us informing that they are "unable to renew your home insurance policy".

This puts us in a bit of a quandary now as we have to say in any quote we get that our previous insurer is refusing cover, thus potentially an automatic refusal from other insurers. Some of the brokers I have spoken to are also saying that insurers will insist on having a 5 lever mortice lock on all exterior door. Not possible without replacing the doors and frames as we have upvc doors. All exterior doors are now fitted with anti snap/ bump/ pick/ drill locks, but that seems to be not enough.

I have to accept that no mainstream insurer is going to cover us, but am at a bit of a loss which way to go now? Most of the brokers I have spoken to today have been unhelpful , with the only suggestion being that the doors are changed!!!

Anyone with any suggestions please?

Mark

dunstonh

This puts us in a bit of a quandary now as we have to say in any quote we get that our previous insurer is refusing cove

This is more of a grey area than an absolute. L&G have not cancelled the policy. They are just not offering terms for renewal. So, you need to read carefully exactly what is asked by the new providers.

Some of the brokers I have spoken to are also saying that insurers will insist on having a 5 lever mortice lock on all exterior door. Not possible without replacing the doors and frames as we have upvc doors. All exterior doors are now fitted with anti snap/ bump/ pick/ drill locks, but that seems to be not enough.

In high risk areas that is quite normal even without a burglary. You have had two in the last year. So, you would expect it to be a common request as you are now a very high risk applicant.

I have to accept that no mainstream insurer is going to cover us, but am at a bit of a loss which way to go now? Most of the brokers I have spoken to today have been unhelpful , with the only suggestion being that the doors are changed!!!

you are no longer mainstream and you are very high risk. The responses you are getting are not unexpected for your situation. I would have thought with a second burglary that you would be making sure your locks are better anyway.

*Scarlett

There are companies that will consider your circumstances maybe try

http://www.homeprotect.co.uk/insurance-for-all/insurance-refused

kingstreet

Check the British Standards Institute rating of your doors. Many of them have five-point locking systems which insurers treat in the same way as a five lever mortice lock.

Marksfish

dunstonh wrote: »

I would have thought with a second burglary that you would be making sure your locks are better anyway.

The first was "theft" and not burglary. Unfortunately (for us) there was no forced entry. It was good of the insurance to pay up considering the circumstances (unauthorised party).

The back door through which the "burglary" took place, was ordered as a upvc door with anti snap locks. Unfortunately, this was not the case and we have no recourse as the company is no longer trading.

All external locks (now) are fitted with BS EN 1303:2005

3/4 were already fitted with locks of this rating. Sods law says the one not fitted was the one targetted.

Mark

Marksfish

*Scarlett wrote: »

There are companies that will consider your circumstances maybe try

http://www.homeprotect.co.uk/insurance-for-all/insurance-refused

I shall check your link thank you.

Mark

Marksfish

kingstreet wrote: »

Check the British Standards Institute rating of your doors. Many of them have five-point locking systems which insurers treat in the same way as a five lever mortice lock.

BS EN 1303:2005. All doors are on a multi point locking mechanism, so I understand it.

Mark

dacouch

Marksfish wrote: »

3/4 were already fitted with locks of this rating. Sods law says the one not fitted was the one targetted.

Mark

Is the MO of most break ins.

Marksfish

dacouch wrote: »

Is the MO of most break ins.

Sorry, don't understand?

dacouch

Marksfish wrote: »

Sorry, don't understand?

Burglars are adept at finding the weakest point to target

Marksfish

Ah, I see. 10.30am as well, that;s the annoying thing. Luckily (for me) Newcastle was flooded that day and I came home early,catching them in the act, or we would have been cleaned out.