Home Insurance Discussion

locka

guys My fault but I did not get around to checking my issure quote what with it being Christmas my insurance company have just taken the money from my account. Now the paperwork they sent me said they would do this, but I could not see the payment leaving my account have spoken to them they have confirmed this. On checking again I have realised they have taken from a credit card I do not use any more. They also informed me that I would have to pay cancellation fee. The insurance was due 24th dec and I have found similar quotes saving me at least £45 pounds. Are they able to take the money from the account automatically, and are they able to stop me from querying the price. I've had to pay the money off the credit card as I do not wish this to cost me more.

patricia49

Not sure if this is the right area to ask my question but here goes. I've inherited a small terrace house from my uncle worth £60K and I'm selling it to my son (first time buyer aged 30). Uncle aged 80 was paying £250 a year for building and contents insurance. Mortgage advisor has obtained a building and contents insurance quote of £360 a year and when I queried why it was so high she said as my son is so young and a first time buyer he is a higher risk so his premiums have to be higher. Is this true or just another ploy to get us to sign up with her so she can get a commission.

dacouch

It is true however the mortgage adviser will only deal with either one or a handful of companies. You do not have to take home insurance through the mortgage adviser so why don't you have a look for some prices on line or contact a local broker (Not Swintons).

gaily

locka wrote: »

guys My fault but I did not get around to checking my issure quote what with it being Christmas my insurance company have just taken the money from my account. Now the paperwork they sent me said they would do this, but I could not see the payment leaving my account have spoken to them they have confirmed this. On checking again I have realised they have taken from a credit card I do not use any more. They also informed me that I would have to pay cancellation fee. The insurance was due 24th dec and I have found similar quotes saving me at least £45 pounds. Are they able to take the money from the account automatically, and are they able to stop me from querying the price. I've had to pay the money off the credit card as I do not wish this to cost me more.

Locka,

If you pay by Direct Debit, then they will normally 'roll' the policy into the next year automatically - until you notify them otherwise. However, they do need to write to you in advance (at least 21 days before renewal) to advise you of their renewal terms, and advise you that unless you advise them otherwise, they will continue to take your money.

If you had already arranged alternative insurance before the 24th December, and you can prove that you were double insured, then it might be possible to get a refund from one company - but you may get charged a cancellation charge. Alternatively, if the saving is worth it, you could possibly change insurers midterm - but check what you'd get back, as you usually lose out.

If you want to go back to them to query the price, or cover, you can do this at any time, and depending on claims history etc, you might be able to negotiate a discount (however, from my own expereince - with my own, and others insurances the standard increases this year are between 10 and 15% on last year's rates.)

Hope this helps.

Minimac

Lloyd's TSB are currently guaranteeing to beat any renewal quote (or refund the difference) and give £20 M&S voucher for each section of cover (so £40 for combined cover!).Nice!

carnaldave

Hi.
Does anyone know if im likely to be able to claim on my buildings insurance for my garden wall that the local council say i have to get repaired a.s.a.p!!! I think it would be classed as wear and tear and as such it doesnt look likely that i can, but i cant afford to pay for it myself and the council say it will go to court , they will then repair it and a charge will be added to our house along with all other costs they say they will have incurred eg their time on paperwork, visits etc. anyone help???

dacouch

Whats wrong with the wall?

moneysavvy35

Hi

I live in Housing Association Property. I would like to get (content) insurance for the things in my house. Can I just get contents insurance or do I need to go for the buildings one as well? I thought the Housing Association would cover anything if something goes wrong with the building. Can someone put me right? Thank you.

gaily

moneysavvy35 wrote: »

Hi

I live in Housing Association Property. I would like to get (content) insurance for the things in my house. Can I just get contents insurance or do I need to go for the buildings one as well? I thought the Housing Association would cover anything if something goes wrong with the building. Can someone put me right? Thank you.

You can get contents only policies - virtually all insurers do them. Just check with the association that they would pick up the Buildings Claims before proceeding - don't wait to discuss liabilities until there is a claim, and check the contents only tab on the Go Compare/Money supermarket (other websites are available!!).

Even big plush flats that cost £1mill plus are sometimes contents only, as the buildings are covered under a service charge - if the whole thing fell down, it would be the management company to look after the fabric of the building, and recompense the owners.

The only other thing to note, and it may not be relevant, is that if you have made any improvements to the property - such as a new kitchen, then you might need to get Tenants Improvements cover (in case the Association wouldn't cover those. Another thing to check with them before setting up your cover.

Hope this helps.

Smileycat

I am buying a house and trying to sort out home insurance before I complete in a couple of weeks. One of the questions that keeps coming up is whether the property is within 400m of water, which it is - a small river and the property has never flooded. But when I answer yes to this question, it doubles the insurance quote from less than £200 to around £400.
However, when you use comparison sites like Compare the Market, it does not usually ask this question and generates a cheap quote; then when you click on an individual quote for more info or to buy, and check the details, I then have to change it to say the property is near water - which doubles the price of the quote.
Is there a comparison website that will let me specify that the property is near water to start with? Otherwise it seems like I can generate a bunch of quotes but then have to go into each one individually and change that particular answer, so then the quotes are no longer ordered by price and I have no idea which would be the cheapest.
Also, does anyone else have this problem and how much roughly should I expect to pay to insure a 2 bedroom terraced house that happens to be near a small river?