Declined insurance 16 years ago

LizzieMac_2

Hello, any advice welcome! When buying our house 16 years ago, a structural report said that there was a crack over the window, possibly caused by subsidence. We had an independent survey and inadequate lintels were found to be the cause, we had it put right and an engineer signed off the work. Whilst applying for buildings insurance at the time, I was declined a quote for cover as I applied when the cause was unknown. I since obtained cover from Zurich and have been insured since.
My query is this, every time I shop around for quotes, when they ask if I have ever had insurance declined and I say yes, it causes no end of problems even though the reason for declining was corrected 16 years ago!
Do I still have to tell the insurers about this?
Thank you in advance!

dunstonh

My query is this, every time I shop around for quotes, when they ask if I have ever had insurance declined and I say yes, it causes no end of problems even though the reason for declining was corrected 16 years ago!
Do I still have to tell the insurers about this?

You have to answer the question as it is asked. If it says "have you ever...." then you continue to answer it as have you ever. If it said, "in the last 15 years have you had...." then you answer on that basis.

LizzieMac_2

Thank you for replying. Trouble is they always ask 'have you ever..'. When I last applied, the insurer said technically I was only declined a quote and therefore could answer 'no' but I'm not sure if this is correct advice.

forgotmyname

Keep asking that question when getting quotes and you wont have a nasty surprise of them failing to payout.

Slightly different with my car. It has a towbar and in years gone by i wouldn't bother to notify them. But over the years it started to get asked so now i always mention it. Sometimes they say you dont need to notify us of that and other times they say they will make a note.
Always best to mention it. Just in case.

LizzieMac_2

Thank you. I do see your point but as soon as I say 'yes' ..the computer says no! There's no grey area to let me explain that the reason I was declined was for a problem that didn't turn out to be what they thought, it was put right and I've never had any further trouble.

dunstonh

I do see your point but as soon as I say 'yes' ..the computer says no!

Comparison sites cherry pick the easy stuff. Go off comparison site buy that way.

There's no grey area to let me explain that the reason I was declined was for a problem that didn't turn out to be what they thought

That requires work by the broker and comparison sites (acting as broker) dont want to do that. So, its easier to decline.

See who comes out favourably on price but then phone that provider up directly or use a local broker.