House insurance -Enquired but never claimed increased premiums

Elika0215

Hey,

Just going through my house insurance and followed all the recommendations on here to get a cheaper quote.

I made an enquiry last year about claiming for escape of water damaging a small 6 inch part of a wall. It turned out that it was a problem with our shower which wasn't covered and therefore, the claim was closed without making a claim.

When comparing costs I entered "no claims in the last x years" assuming this was correct. Some quotes came through and they were very competitive.

However, just to be sure, I contacted my current insurer to check and they've said I need to declare the enquiry irrespective of whether a claim was made.

So, I edited my details on comparison sites, declared the enquiry adding that no claim/costs was made and the case was closed.

However, this DOES affect the premium. It increased by around £30 to £40 per year. So, that's effectively the cost of my phone call to them.

Oh well. I guess that how it works but wasn't sure if this was common knowledge.

csgohan4

you declared an incident, so statistically your more of a risk than someone who hasn't made a claim.


Good to always compare whats available and never stay with current provider unless competititve

Elika0215

My logic is, I've had house insurance without any payouts since 1996.

Someone who's had 20 claims for say, £50,000 total from 1996 to 2012 will have a cheaper premium than I do.That's because most house insurance providers I've looked at maxes out at more than 5 years no claims.

Does that make sense?

boo_star

Elika0215 wrote: »

My logic is, I've had house insurance without any payouts since 1996.

Someone who's had 20 claims for say, £50,000 total from 1996 to 2012 will have a cheaper premium than I do.That's because most house insurance providers I've looked at maxes out at more than 5 years no claims.

Does that make sense?

No, but I think the insurance industry would be on very shaky ground if it asked for more than 6 years of history.

They've obviously determined that people who have claimed in the past 5 years are statistically more likely to claim again and you need to pay more as a result.

paddyandstumpy

Elika0215 wrote: »

Hey,

Just going through my house insurance and followed all the recommendations on here to get a cheaper quote.

I made an enquiry last year about claiming for escape of water damaging a small 6 inch part of a wall. It turned out that it was a problem with our shower which wasn't covered and therefore, the claim was closed without making a claim.

When comparing costs I entered "no claims in the last x years" assuming this was correct. Some quotes came through and they were very competitive.

However, just to be sure, I contacted my current insurer to check and they've said I need to declare the enquiry irrespective of whether a claim was made.

So, I edited my details on comparison sites, declared the enquiry adding that no claim/costs was made and the case was closed.

However, this DOES affect the premium. It increased by around £30 to £40 per year. So, that's effectively the cost of my phone call to them.

Oh well. I guess that how it works but wasn't sure if this was common knowledge.

Highlighted the pertinent part.

You wanted to make a claim, it was only because it was not covered a claim didn't succeed.

It's that propensity to claim the insurer is rating on.

Elika0215

paddyandstumpy wrote: »

Highlighted the pertinent part.

You wanted to make a claim, it was only because it was not covered a claim didn't succeed.

It's that propensity to claim the insurer is rating on.

Not quite, I was enquiring whether I could make a claim and didn't.

Had I known that the phone call would increase my prices then I wouldn't have made it.

Yeah, so that probably shows ignorance and naivety on my part but that doesn't make it ok. It feels like I've been stealthily penalised and it's grossly unfair. Everyone I've spoken to outside this forum is outraged. Maybe I've misunderstood what this forum is all about - I thought it was to help vulnerable people to feel understood, not to defend the actions of an insurer.

I also have a financial issue with another insurer regarding my dog cover. So on a personal note, I just feel completely battered and helpless at the moment.

csgohan4

Elika0215 wrote: »

Not quite, I was enquiring whether I could make a claim and didn't.

Had I known that the phone call would increase my prices then I wouldn't have made it.

Yeah, so that probably shows ignorance and naivety on my part but that doesn't make it ok. It feels like I've been stealthily penalised and it's grossly unfair. Everyone I've spoken to outside this forum is outraged. Maybe I've misunderstood what this forum is all about - I thought it was to help vulnerable people to feel understood, not to defend the actions of an insurer.

I also have a financial issue with another insurer regarding my dog cover. So on a personal note, I just feel completely battered and helpless at the moment.

There's defending the insurers and then there's reality and the truth.


Insurers base their cover on risk, if you have ever reported an incident no matter if you actually claimed, or was deemed not at fault puts you in the higher risk profile.


It's the way it is with All insurance. We are not here to tell you what you want to hear, but rather the facts. Truth hurts.


As said previously, shop around, loyalty does not pay


I have had non fault accidents and my premiums increased, shopped around and got better deals. I accepted I will have to pay higher premiums, it's the nature of insurance.

Elika0215

csgohan4 wrote: »

There's defending the insurers and then there's reality and the truth.
..

We are not here to tell you what you want to hear, but rather the facts. Truth hurts.

..
As said previously, shop around, loyalty does not pay

Well, I know it's fact, reality and truth as it's actually happened.

You're right that it's not what I wanted or expected to hear - more fool me for thinking there was compassion and understanding on here.

So yes, truth hurts and it's hard to take as I haven't cost any house insurer a penny since the early nineties when I got my first property.