Asprea + Norwich Union Buildings Insurance

Assess_Saw

Asprea like a lot insurance company approved contractors are a blight on the claims process no claimant from an insurance company should ever be obliged to use have them on their property

saintlee

Twenty Years ago, it was normal for a local contractor to pick up insurance work in their area, unfortunately this doesn’t happen anymore as companies such as Asprea (and there are others) monopolise the claims work. The prices charged to the insurer are often excessive (and in some cases far too low, suggesting that corners are often cut when pricing against policy holders preferred contractors) and as this thread demonstrates, the quality of service is somewhat underwhelming.

The only apparent alternative to these types of companies, are the contractor networks which are run by the major loss adjusting firms, where work is usually allocated by how many brown paper envelopes have changed hands rather than finding a company best suited for the work required.

It’s about time the industry cleaned up its act, and started operating in a fair and honest manner, where local contractors of good esteem could once more pick up the work.

This would add value for the policy holder, Insurer, adjuster, contractor and suppliers alike.

Sadly, we are a long way from this…

saintlee

beccus wrote: »

Hi

I just wanted to let you know that Asprea are one of our approved suppliers and we do have a formalised feedback system in place - if and when we recieve negative feedback we do act on it.

I don't think this is necessarily the answer you were after, but i just wanted to pop on and try and put your mind at rest! I hope this helps and good luck with the claim.

Becca

Hi Becca,

just out of interest, are Asprea part of the Carillion plc group who also used to do contract work for NU?

If so, was the name changed because Carillion had a bad reputation as well?

And should we expect anymore name changes in the near future..

maybe www.it'll be alright on the night.com or "3rd time lucky ltd"?

Assess_Saw

i have complained about Asprea to Norwich Union some weeks ago without the courtesy of a reply next stop FSA

[Deleted User]

saintlee wrote: »

Hi Becca,

just out of interest, are Asprea part of the Carillion plc group who also used to do contract work for NU?

If so, was the name changed because Carillion had a bad reputation as well?

And should we expect anymore name changes in the near future..

maybe www.it'll be alright on the night.com or "3rd time lucky ltd"?

hi saintlee

Asprea was set up by Carillion plc as a company wholly dedicated to handling NUI property claims. This was the 'build vehicle' of choice of NUI.
The company that used to do work for NUI was Carillion Property Services (CPS), which was part of the Carillion Group which as a result of the work of Asprea, has now been wound up.

It was not just a name change. Asprea was set up as a strategic partner and was a completely new business model and a new way of handling claims in order to save costs and improve customer service. It was set up as a seperate company because it perfoms the function of validating, valuing and fulfilling property claims, which is not currently considered NUI's core skillset. In addition, NU wished to reserve the right to buy the operation at some point in the future.
The inference from the question is that we are doing the same thing under a different name in order to mask any previous reputational inadequacies. It was because of these percieved (and actual) inadquacies that the model was changed. The poor perception of Asprea is unfortunate as it does deliver all of the financial savings that it was designed to do. There are however service issues that have arisen as a result of developing a brand new process of handling claims. These issues are being addressed by joint NUI/Asprea working parties.

I hope this answers your question?
I got these details from one of our team that work closely with asprea.

Becca

[Deleted User]

Assess Saw
I'm sorry that you have not had a reply to your complaint, would you like to send me the details?
[EMAIL="rebecca.sibley@norwich-union.co.uk"]rebecca.sibley@norwich-union.co.uk[/EMAIL]

Becca

Assess_Saw

Becca

I have emailed you with a view to getting your fax number and I will send you the relevant correpsondence Regards

toady

I've made two claims with Asprea via NU and had two very different results. the first in my last house , the kitchen celing needed replaced and the kitchen redecorated,and the work was done so well and so fast, it was the main reason I stuck with NU when I downsized into a flat. My second claim was made on the flat, and the bathroom floor needed to be replaced and retiled.(actually, that was after a second flood, when I reported the first flood a tradesman from asprea came out and told me it was my responsibility to replace the grouting and the sealant, he wouldn't do it, so I had to pay for that to get done, but it wasn't the fault so when the second flood happened it was catastrophic- the surveyor didnt even come back to the flat to look again, he just authorised works. the workmen told me this particular workman was infamous for telling folk they werent covered and to do the work themselves). Now less than 4 months after work was done, the grouting/adhesive on the floor tiles by the shower tray is cracked. The workmen were jolly fellows but I am disappointed with the fact my downstairs neighbour had to be flooded twice unnecessarily, and that the tiles replaced evidently have had some sort of problem. I gave up trying as I couldn't afford any more time off work.

If NU are still appointing asprea, I shall be looking elsewhere when my policy ends, which will be a shame as I have been with NU for years for both contents and buildings.


end of rant.

Jesstiggs

beccus wrote: »

Jesstiggs
Do you want to email me the details of your claim and I'll see what we can do? My email address is [EMAIL="rebecca.sibley@norwich-union.co.uk"]rebecca.sibley@norwich-union.co.uk[/EMAIL]

Becca

I am at long last back in my house and have my animals out of kennels!.

The last straw came when the original supervisor from the contractors was moved to another area and his replacement went through the whole scope all over again because he said the other guy hadn`t kept any notes:mad:

Not to mention that the asbestos problem still remained because the company for that said they couldn`t do it as my flue was joined to next doors!!!, of course that was total rubbish, why would it be?

All in all it was a debacle from beginning to the bitter end, I was though most impressed with the contractors that eventually did the work.

I got in touch with the loss adjuster and told him I`d be going to the press if nothing was done in a week, surprise surprise a different contractor was appointed and the house was restored in 2 weeks, I got my house back finally on the 20th sept more than 9 months following the fire, I moved back in at the end of sept after replacing furniture etc.

Insco

Jesstigs - have you seen this other thread?????

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=15459199&posted=1#post15459199