Santander contents insurance query

rs65

You'd be better sorting out adequate insurance now - thinking particularly of the sum insured.

If a claim is registered, you/he will need to declare it for a number of years to any insurer, not just Santander.

Quentin

mildredalien wrote: »

Well there's no way I'll be going through Santander to renew next year if I don't end up cancelling - so they can register my call as much as they like, if I don't claim I won't be ticking the 'made a claim in the last 12 months' box when looking for new insurance!......

If you contact them, then they will register this as a loss (not a claim).

You do have to disclose losses to insurers when applying for cover (not just "claims"), which is what people are trying to point out to you!

(Failure to do so just gives an insurer the opportunity to void any claim you make, as they will certainly find out your history if you do need to claim)

mildredalien

I don't get it, how can they register a loss if I just discuss a possible claim with them but don't make one? What are they or I losing? If I rang up to see if I could claim back some out of date yoghurt (just giving a stupid example) how on earth can they say that's a 'loss'? Looking at comparethemarket.com as an example, it asks whether anyone in your household made a claim in the last 5 years (which of course I would be happy to disclose if I ever do make a claim) - it mentions nothing about whether you have ever rang a previous insurer to ask a question!

In any case our current insurance is so extortionate, even with a claim I could still get insurance a third of the price

mildredalien

By the way, is £10k really a huge underestimation for a couple, no kids, renting a furnished house (e.g. no white goods, carpets or curtains to pay for)? Maybe I need to take a notepad and pen to the house this week!

Quentin

mildredalien wrote: »

I don't get it, how can they register a loss if I just discuss a possible claim with them but don't make one? What are they or I losing? .......

You admit to having a loss when you ask them if you are covered and can you claim for it! At that point they add it to your history (and share the info with other insurers).

......Looking at comparethemarket.com as an example, it asks whether anyone in your household made a claim in the last 5 years......

Like all insurers, comparethemarket do define what they mean by "claim"

Click on the info button next to the question and "claims" are defined as:

Claims, Losses and Liabilities

mildredalien

So if you ever lose or damage something, even if you don't actually claim for it you have to declare just because you enquired about it?? How ridiculous! Ugh this whole thing is set up to deter people from making a genuine claim when something goes wrong!

Quentin

You seem to be misunderstanding all this.

You were advised not to make an enquiry unless you intended to make a claim, and seemed ignorant of the implications of disclosing any loss to your insurer.

Subsequently posters have attempted to ensure this issue is spelt out for you (for your benefit!)

If you inform your insurer about any loss you experience it will go down on your record! Though why do you see this as set up to deter you making claims?

mildredalien

My concern is that I can't make a claim until I know whether I am actually covered for the damage/loss which seems to be unclear at the moment (some have said no, some have said I may have a claim). However, if I call to find out, it seems I will have a loss recorded against me - although I'm not sure if this will happen if they wouldn't cover the claim anyway? So, it's making me think twice about calling to even ask if a claim would be possible, as I don't want to be turned down but also have a loss recorded against me!

Please don't misconstrue my incredulity at the system for not actually understanding the information people have given me. It has been extremely helpful in learning more about insurance which I'll admit to having little knowledge/experience of, as I've been lucky enough never to need to claim before.

JimmyTheWig

Would it be possible to phone and ask a hypothetical question, rather than say what has happened?
Could be mainly true.
"Hello, I've realised that I'm paying significantly more for this cover than I can get it for elsewhere so am thinking of cancelling and going elsewhere. Can you tell me how much it would cost to cancel? Also, to be able to compare I need to ensure I am looking at like for like. Do you cover a fire started by faulty electrical equipment? Do you cover damage to flooring if a fish tank leaks? Do you cover repairs to a computer if it goes bang when I plug it in? Do you cover items locked in my car overnight?"

Or would they be suspicious of that?

mildredalien

Hmm that might be a good idea, perhaps I could ring up as a prospective insurance customer and ask what they define as 'accidental damage' as I want to make sure they cover everything before I buy from them...