Check Elderly Friends & Relatives Insurance Policies

FutureGirl

There isn't much that be done now though unfortunately, as the premiums were paid to insure that property, and they received that service. Only thing you can do now is to just do comparisons each year when it's renewal time.

Mumfo77

You're exactly right futuregirl, that's all I can do now.

dunstonh

Margaretclare, thank you for your comments however, I'm not suggesting people storm into other people's houses demanding to know information about personal finances, all im saying is there is nothing wrong with offering to help. If they would rather do it themselves then fair enough.

You knew your parents didnt have internet. You also mention their disabilities and how there was no interest in anything computing. How did you think they were buying their insurances?

Even if he didnt use the internet, a local broker/adviser can bring in similar prices as the internet. So, if your dad believed in local contacts, he could have used that.

As I said before, your sentiment is correct. It was only the complaint element that I disagree with you on. And as Margaretclare says, you need to do in the right way. Bringing up how much you saved on home insurance yourself in normal conversation may be all that was needed to start the conversation.

Also, why stop at just home insurance. Chances are they were on old gas and electric, phone contracts too.

Zanderman

margaretclare wrote: »

You say your parents were 74 and 79 with no internet access. Nowadays everyone has internet access. They can get it by going down to their local library where - if ours is at all typical - they will find very knowledgeable people who are willing to help. Internet access has been available for a good few years now.

Er, yes, but no. The internet well may be widely available - but that does not equate to meaning that everyone uses it, or wants to use it, or that it even occurs to them to use it.

A number of people (particularly elderly but know a few in their fifties who actively avoid it) simply don't use it. And/or don't use it for anything other than emails/social interaction and don't use it for anything financial.

Take my mother, 85, who is cross because some of her utilities charge more for printed bills - but won't use the internet to see them. She doesn't like it, doesn't trust it and doesn't understand what can be done with it.

As for insurance and other providers etc - I've tried explaining to her that loyalty doesn't pay and she seems to grasp that, but always counters with 'but we've always been with British Telecom/British Gas/etc' and simply refuses to change.

Don't assume that just because the internet is available it means that people will use it! You can take a horse to water, but you can't force it to drink...

steve2005

Zanderman wrote: »

Take my mother, 85, who is cross because some of her utilities charge more for printed bills - but won't use the internet to see them. She doesn't like it, doesn't trust it and doesn't understand what can be done with it.

Just a side thought - have you considered getting your mum to give you permission to her act on her behalf, switch her to paperless billing, then print of the bill each month for her, saving her xx amount each month.

rs65

Mumfo77 wrote: »

I have since cancelled both policies and taken up a new policy covering both buildings and contents insurance

For anyone reading this, don't forget it is a huge responsibility arranging insurance for someone else. Done incorrectly, it could cost them their house.

There are plenty of tales of woe on this site about people arranging their own insurance incorrectly. Doing it for someone else carries greater risks.

OP, I wish you well but remember your parents arranged this when they were in their fifties. I hope you have done it correctly.

Mumfo77

How did you think they were buying their insurances?

I believed my Dad was phoning other companies for quotes.

Bringing up how much you saved on home insurance yourself in normal conversation may be all that was needed to start the conversation.

That's exactly what I was suggesting people did rather than aggressively demanding information.

Also, why stop at just home insurance. Chances are they were on old gas and electric, phone contracts too.

I didn't stop at just insurance, I've gone through everything but only the insurance needed to be sorted.

OP, I wish you well but remember your parents arranged this when they were in their fifties. I hope you have done it correctly.

I did take care when arranging the new policy. I sat down with my Mum and discussed all aspects of cover she required. I would never cut corners in the level of cover just to save money. We had a like for like quote and both buildings and contents are adequately covered. Thanks for the advice though, it is definitely important to get it right.

rs65

Mumfo77 wrote: »

I did take care when arranging the new policy. I sat down with my Mum and discussed all aspects of cover she required. I would never cut corners in the level of cover just to save money. We had a like for like quote and both buildings and contents are adequately covered. Thanks for the advice though, it is definitely important to get it right.

Glad to hear it. I am very nervous about arranging something like travel insurance for my mum as it is very easy to fail to disclose medical history accurately. I think I know most of her history but it is very possible for a parent to hide such conditions from their children.