Buildings Insurance - why so many Insurers can't

ballisticbrian

Buildings Insurance - why so many Insurers can't quote using Go Compare.


I am getting 90 -95% of insurers with the message
"This insurer could not provide a quote for your details."

Does any know or has experimented to find out why.

For example, if I take out land slip or some flat roofing for example,, will suddenly more quotes appear or is it post code, or something about the insured?

csgohan4

you may need an insurance broker in that case to help you out as there could be something in the answers that the insurers are not happy with

ballisticbrian

The strange thing is I always find some very competitive quotes among what's left, but would like to find out if this matches anyone elses' experience?

Reardoa

There is no one answer to that however its fair to say most of the insurers on compare sights are looking for basic risks so chuck in a flat roof which insurers don't like then it will rule out a proportion. Your postcode maybe a high theft area or issues with surface water or near a watercourse again its going to restrict your choice.
I wouldn't suggest experimenting. If its a decline anyway there is little point changing the risk details to suit as the quote wont be valid anyway

ballisticbrian

I often do wonder if it's necessary for me to keep putting history of land slip when it was the previous owner and largely caused by a bodged extension which had to be underpinned however it did result in the previous owner claiming on the insurance. I wonder if that land slip is to do with it? And in fact the ground around here is sold as a rock.

Reardoa

Yes definitely Brian. Despite the cause insurers needs to be aware and that will take out most options through compare sites.
Id suggest a broker maybe your best bet as they can source insurers with a risk presentation to put forward your circumstances or you will need to call insurers individually which can be very time consuming especially if its a no.

dacouch

If you are just asking for a quote for solely buildings try including contents

ciderboy2009

When I was sorting out insurance for my parents earlier this year I came across this problem.

I actually phoned one of the insurers and was told that it was because of the flood risk - they live half way down a hill, nowhere near any rivers and neighbours who have lived in their houses since they were built in 1938 say that they've never known any floods in the area!

However, the map at https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/long-term-flood-risk shows then at a high risk of flooding!

I've been trying to get an explanation from the Environment Agency but they don't seem to like replying to emails.

Reardoa

Your very unlikely to get a response Id say Ciderboy. The issue with most insurers is that the online facility they have looks at for example DN1 1 and not the full postcode or specific addresses. Contacting insurers directly should allow them to look at individual addresses such as Aviva's Hawkeye system which does just that. That allows them to quote correctly and should include flood cover under the circs you mention.

ballisticbrian

The quotes I'm getting are about £225 for contents and buildings with no accidental or high value items / 3 bed bungalow, non-flood risk area. It seems quite reasonable to me. But strange with tonnes of companies not quoting like that.
I know it's a little off-topic, but I find it strange that the place I used to live was a converted maisonette that was an 1870's building with all kinds of damp, alterations, weird configurations, could have had subsidence over the course of 150 years but no-one would be any the wiser would they? Whereas a bungalow with a dodgey builder who laid an extension on a path a decade ago. How long would it have to be mentioned for? Presumably forever?