Hastings Direct unable to quote for renewal. Do I have to declare this as insurance renewal refusal?

lohr500

My house and contents policy is due for renewal next month. The existing broker, Hastings Direct, has contacted me to say they are unable to quote for renewal. No reason given. I suspect it is due to the two claims we unfortunately had to make last year.
I am shopping around for alternatives (as I do every year) and on most comparison web sites and direct insurers websites there is a question asking if we have ever had insurance refused. I am answering this as YES, based on Hasting's inability to quote for a renewal and I worry that this may be affecting my new quotes. I am also fully declaring the previous claims. Does anyone know if the inability to quote for a renewal is the same as having insurance refused?

Sandtree

Were that the case everyone would have to answer yes because no matter who you are when you go to Confused.com or similar there are some at the bottom of the list that declined to quote.

Declining to quote is a normal thing and not declarable. 

lohr500

Good point!! I guess I am just wary of giving the insurance companies any wriggle room.

dunstonh

Just adding a comment to say I agree with Sandtree.  A decision not to quote terms is not a cancellation. 

chrisw

But be aware that if you've been answering 'yes' and now get quotes answering 'no' you could start triggering anti fraud systems. 

See
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6242307/does-car-insurance-increase-the-more-quotes-you-look-out-for#latest

lohr500

Ended up taking out a new Axa Home Safe Premium policy today. Gives me the cover I need. More expensive than last year's Hastings policy, but perhaps not surprising given the two claims from last year and a lack of any NCD. Thanks for all the replies above.