Rating insurance companies?

GaryBC

Hi all

Following this and last year's flooding we hear lots of talk about insurance companies trying to get properties categorised according to the likelihood of them having to pay out in the future.

I'm interested in finding out the picture from the other direction. I'd like to find out how each company responded to claims. For example the speed of their response, their customer service and the accuracy of payout.

We made a claim on our contents policy for flood damage. Since making the claim the company has put obstacle after obstacle in the way and are still - several months on - arguing over settlement.

Given their response it is extremely unlikely that we'll want to renew our policy with them - however; are the others any better?

Has anybody ever surveyed the performance of insurance companies in this respect? I'd love to be able to make an informed choice when I renew.

OnanTheBarbarian

It is a difficult one really as there are so many variables.

1- People's expectations vary massively
2- People only tend to make a noise when things have gone bad - would you have started the above thread on here if your experience had been as expected or better?
3- Customers that chose to respond may be few, so overall the results may not be representative.
4- The data from insurers could never be trusted as they will spin things whichever way they want.

Insurers - well they are probably comparable with Joey Barton's sentiment about "ugly girls"

GaryBC

OnanTheBarbarian wrote: »

It is a difficult one really as there are so many variables.

1- People's expectations vary massively
2- People only tend to make a noise when things have gone bad - would you have started the above thread on here if your experience had been as expected or better?
3- Customers that chose to respond may be few, so overall the results may not be representative.
4- The data from insurers could never be trusted as they will spin things whichever way they want.

Insurers - well they are probably comparable with Joey Barton's sentiment about "ugly girls"

Yeah, that's why I was wondering if there have ever been any proper - independent - surveys carried out. Everything you say is spot on!

jamesperrett

Well NFU always go on about their DeFaqto 5 star rating though I'm not sure whether that actually covers claim handling.

hop3y

Flood (as well as subsidence) is one of the highest risk and rating factors for insurers.

Usually, insurers shy away from risk with a history of flooding. There are specialist insurers out there for flooding, but you will obviously pay the price!

Spiderham

I'd suggest Defaqto and Which are the places to start.