Home insurance -beware

Patchaddy57

I recently contacted More Than to make a claim for damage to my tv. I was notified of a 250.00 excess. This doesn't show on my policy documents ( I don't appear to have been sent a copy for the latest period of cover) I have asked for a copy which to date I haven't received. I was contacted by a claims advisor and told that even though my set cost 450+, they would only allow a cash settlement of 370 (I wanted cash as I wanted to purchase from a supplier who offer 5 year guarantee) which after the excess had been deducted meant I would receive 120. Of course this would then result in higher premiums. I told them I would not proceed with the claim but I will obviously be looking for an alternative provider.

lisyloo

If you are going to diy your insurance then it's YOUR responsibility to make sure you are happy with the excess and also check the docs have arrived.
If you cannot be bothered to do the legwork - that's fine - use a broker.

If you bought a policy that's your not happy with and didn't bother checking then it's no one's fault but your own.

If you think they are treating you unfairly then it's now your responsibility to deal with that because you chose to save a few pennies and not get advice.

FutureGirl

Your insurers would have been able to replace the TV, and would only have cost them £370. An insurer will only pay you what it would have cost them to replace the TV - it says this in the policy documents which will be available on their website.

When you took out the policy they would have told you the excess amount and asked if you agreed to it, this would be whether you took out the policy online or over the phone. £250 is a standard excess on most policies unless you change it yourself.

You would have received a policy schedule when you took the policy out initially, and if you didn't change the excess, then it would be the same as on the previous documents (which from your post you seem to have).

On page 22 of the booklet;
d. Where we can offer repair or replacement through a preferred supplier, but instead you request and we agree to pay a cash settlement, then the amount will not normally exceed what we would have paid our preferred supplier.

Quentin

Patchaddy57 wrote: »

I told them I would not proceed with the claim......

In future don't contact your insurers unless you are sure you will be making a claim.


Now that you have told your insurer about the damaged tv you have experienced this claim will be on your record and you now need to declare it when applying to any other insurers for quotes or cover over the next 3/5 years depending on how long a history they ask for.

keith1950

As above. .... you have notified them of an " incident " and as such your premiums will rise whether you claim or not.

InsideInsurance

Home insurance does not ask about "incidents" as widely as Motor does, for the fairly obvious reason that technically most people have several a year when you factor in each chipped plate, dropped glass, spot of red wine/coffee/curry dropped all of which would be claimable on a 0 xs policy with AD cover.

It is however becoming more common for insurers to ask and certainly having told your insurers about the incident it is one that you'd have to continue to declare to those insurers that ask. For those that only ask about claims it will be more difficult and it will depend how your current insurers deal with withdrawn claims

SevenOfNine

I've only ever been asked if I have "made any claims", not have I had any 'incidents'.

I once queried the hike up of my policy premium at renewal time, operator managed to get the quote a fair bit lower so I renewed. Didn't realise because I FAILED to read the small print when the paperwork arrived, that he'd managed to lower it by bumping up my excess considerably.

I don't think I noticed 'til renewal time the following year, thankfully made no claims but ditched that company. My fault though, but they were a tad crafty making sure they didn't actually draw attention to it.

Quentin

SevenOfNine wrote: »

I've only ever been asked if I have "made any claims", not have I had any 'incidents'......

Didn't realise because I FAILED to read the small print when the paperwork arrived, that he'd managed to lower it by bumping up my excess considerably.....

In this case the OP has made a claim for a £450 TV damaged beyond repair. This loss will have been recorded.


You also need to check the "small print" over the way questions are asked - eg when asked about "claims" online they often define what they mean by way of an info button.


eg Direct Line add this on their question regarding how many claims/losses you have had:

Claims or losses
You must tell us about any claims or losses you, and any adult living with you has suffered in the last 3 years – whether insured or not.
It is important that you are accurate with your answer as this information may affect the premium and cover offered.

System

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Home insurance does not ask about "incidents" as widely as Motor does, for the fairly obvious reason that technically most people have several a year when you factor in each chipped plate, dropped glass, spot of red wine/coffee/curry dropped all of which would be claimable on a 0 xs policy with AD cover.

s

Whereas no one ever spills anything in a car, catches an umbrella in the headlining, scrapes the boot cill lifting something in, or clips the door mirror on the front hedge.
Are they "incidents" in car insurance terms?

InsideInsurance

Clifford_Pope wrote: »

Whereas no one ever spills anything in a car, catches an umbrella in the headlining, scrapes the boot cill lifting something in, or clips the door mirror on the front hedge.
Are they "incidents" in car insurance terms?

To be honest, of those listed above that I have done hasnt caused any damage to my car. Curbing the alloy would be the only one in a similar vein

On the otherhand the Mrs do the washing up if the dishwasher is on the blink and its a 50/50 that at least one glass will be smashed or plate chipped.

roddydogs

"Comparison sites are notorious for this, they ask what excess you will take, say £50, then show you a list of companies with much more than that!