Buildings Insurance after a claim

tyronj

Hi all,

My buildings insurance has been going up every year & i'd like to get quotes from other companies. When i do try the one's i try decline to quote & i'm left with the current insurer who's now asking £230 for and end old terrace.
Problem is the claim for the underpinning a few years before i bought it & altough i knew this i wasn't aware how it would affect my choice of insurers.
Does anyone know if there's anything i can do to get the house checked out or something to open up my choice of insurers?

Thanks
Tyron

missile

£230 seems reasonable given the risk, but a good broker may be able to find you a better deal.

Oscar_The_Grouch

Hi there

When you bought the house, I would hope that the previous owners gave you a copy of their structural engineers report following the completion of the underpinning. This would confirm that your property is stable. If not, try to find out who the insurers were at the time (your solicitor should have got those details) and ask them to send you a copy of the report (or give you the name of the engineers and ask them for a copy). Then try the following:

1. use your usual web sites to get a quote for insurance, but do not declare the underpinning.
2. If there is a reputable firm that give you a lower price, phone them and explain the position, offering to send them a copy of the engineers report. They may be willing to maintain the price with a higher subsidence excess.

If this does not work, I am afraid I agree with Missile and £230 doesn't sound that bad!!

tyronj

Thanks, i'm insured with the same company, Norwich Union, who insured the house & paid up on the claim. In the first year it was £95 & has gone up
each year since, 8 years now. This is my first house so not sure if this is the norm or not?