Independent Furniture Protection Policies... Do they exist?

geneintheuk

Hi All,

I have just been quoted £200 for a 5 year furniture protection policy for a sofa we're thinking of purchasing. I got the hard sell from the sales person and it made me think "surely there are independent firms out there offering something similar for alot cheaper, etc...".

I contacted Guardsman directly as well as other agencies that offer this service and they all sent me "dear john" letters saying they only work through the retailers.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Sure I could say no to the policy and just leverage my B&C accidental damage, but then there's an excess (mine is £100) and the risk of my rates going up. So I am just checking to see if an independent firm even exists.

if not, I think it would be a good one for Mr L to look at! :money:

The sofa is a reasonable investment so I do want to make sure it's looking as good as it can.

Thanks again for everyone's help.

Gene

Debran

Not heard of these policies so I'm not sure what you mean. I am wondering if you mean something to protect fabric from spillages? If so, I vaguely remember something called Scotchgard. I think I can remember having a tourer caravan in the distant past with upholstery that had been treated with it. You also used to be able to buy it in a can and spray it on fabric yourself.


I believe Dunelm also sell a similar spray. You could consider DIY and save some money.


Sorry if I have misunderstood what you are looking for.

Silvertabby

When we bought our conservatory suite we were offered the option of having it 'scotch guarded' for £100 (just the treatment - not an insurance policy).

However, the saleslady (a friend of a friend) said that they just applied a couple of cans of Scotch Guard before delivery - and that we could do the job ourselves for considerably less.

Scotch Guard is still readily available - about £8 a can - and that's what we did. Can't really say if it works or not, as we've not had any accidents (touch wood!)

ashe

I assume you mean the Guardsman style policies.

Horrific reviews, you might end up getting your money back if something happens to it but they will make you jump through every hoop going.

10 years ago I bought a 4 seater sofa with a 5 year policy on it - I did make a few claims on it and they initially send you a cleaning kit out which takes about a week to arrive. if that doesn't work, they will send someone out to try and clean it for you, and if that doesn't work they will tell you they can repair it but that it may not match the original fabric - in which case you have to be firm and state that you were sold the policy on a new for old basis - lot of the negative reviews talk about buying it on finance and having to chase the finance company as being jointly liable.