Being charged more as a widow - is this right?

SandraScarlett

Please excuse the long post, but I would like some advice please, from the knowledgeable folk on here. When DH died, just before Christmas, I made a list of everyone who should know, and contacted all these companies in January. Anyone else who has had this task, won't be surprised to learn that most of the records weren't updated, and I still received items in his name, and had to phone again.


In August I received a quote from Halifax, for both the Buildings and Contents, which were renewable in mid-September, and noted that it had risen by about £40 from last year. I pay monthly by DD, and thought this a reasonable increase, but telephoned them to remind them that DH had died, and that it was just my name on the policy, and could they please do this.


A couple of weeks later, they sent an amended proposal, just in my name, and I put it away in my file. But when I checked my online bank statement, a different monthly amount had been deducted from what I had originally been told. So I compared the proposal in both our names, with the one sent the following week, just in my name, and it had increased by £80, in addition to the £40 "annual increase".


I contacted them and was told that my call in January, telling them that DH had died "must have slipped through the net" (they've all said that), but because he was 76 and I am a mere 68, I have to pay more, because part of the formula is based on the oldest resident, and I'm younger.


I asked where it said that in the booklet, (I didn't get an answer) and I couldn't stop myself, but just started crying, asking if I was being penalised for being a widow, and why hadn't they had the courtesy to let me know this clause when they sent the new proposal.


He apologised, I think my crying had embarrassed him, and said they would honour the first proposal and credit me, and would send me a bouquet of flowers, though this might take "a while". I don't care about the flowers but if this is true, where's the logic?


Firstly, it's not like I am decades younger, and if I was, then I would have thought I'd have had more wherewithal about me, checking windows and locking doors etc, and tackling an intruder, than someone older.


Can anyone shed any light on this please? Thank you for reading my post, and my apologies again.


xx

dacouch

As they explained, Insurers give discounts the older you are on home insurance. The discount is normally based on the oldest of the policy holders.

Halifax are now rating on your age as you're now the oldest.

At a guess Halifax are likely to have age bands of circa 60 to 69 as one price and 70 and above as their cheapest price. So they're now rating you on your age which is more expensive.

It's highly unlikely that you being a widow has anything to do with the matter although if they wanted to charge widows or widowers more than a married couple they're perfectly within their rights.

Shop around at next renewal and you're likely to find a better deal with another Insurer anyway