Insurance claim what does this do to my premiums?

Chanes

We moved house recently and noticed a tile on the bathroom floor near the toilet had a crack in it. There were spare tiles in the loft so I thought I would replace it. On lifting the tile the board underneath was wet...on lifting other tiles around the toilet the board was found to be rotten! The lovely looking bathroom was in need of work! On the off chance, we phoned the insurance company (Sheila's Wheels) who told us we were covered and they would send an assessor! The assessor came and said the claim was worth £2,000 to put right the floor and re-tiles the walls as required.

We have had the money and the work is being booked in now. But I've been told my premiums will double next year because of this claim. Is this true? Double? If that is how it is, then there's nothing I can do except shut up and pay, but it seems a bit harsh considering we have not claimed for 25 years!

Your thought about this are much appreciated.

InsideInsurance

Given you've just moved you are luck a claim was accepted at all as it sounds like something that could well have been there since before you bought it.

Do a dummy quote online, you've made the claim now so its just a case of doing a quote with a claim made for £100 or with a claim made for £2,000 and see what impact it will have on your premiums.

Its very likely to impact it, doubling would be unusual. Obviously compare a range of insurers, using an aggregator like Confused.com is easiest, as there are some that do hate people that have made claims and may well make big premium increases

Chanes

Thanks, the claim was accepted and the assessor said that it would have been a slow leak from the concealed cistern (it's dried now we've isolated it) and it would have been leaking slowly for a three years or so. But it was completely concealed and we had no idea about it (nor did our surveyor nor would the previous owners) So he recommended the claim be settled.

I will try the dummy quote idea! Thank you!

Chanes

And for what it is worth, we've been with Sheila's Wheels for a few years maybe they take that into account too?

rs65

Chanes wrote: »

But I've been told my premiums will double next year because of this claim.

Who told you? Was it Sheila's Wheels?

FutureGirl

They won't take into account how long you've been with them, as this is irrelevant.

They will deduct some years from your NCB, which will affect your premiums. The type of claim, and cost of the claim can also affect your premiums and future excesses.

Chanes

It wasn't spoken by Sheila's Wheels, they just settled the whole thing in less than 7 days with a letter saying they hoped we were happy with the resolution of the claim.

It was just chatter when I mentioned it to other people. I think I too out protected no claims too. I take everything with the policy, legal cover, emergency cover...for the small amount it adds it could be handy sometime.

rs65

Chanes wrote: »

It was just chatter when I mentioned it to other people.

Just ignore it then. Your premium may go up but you'll find out at renewal.