Home Insurance Discussion

MORPH3US

Is it only me that finds it surprising that the MSE newsletter has Direct Line articles far too often...

I have never once found Direct Line to be the cheapest and for me that backs up my thinking that they will "never be listed on price comparison websites" because they never are the cheapest....

If thats the case then why do they get so much exposure from MSE? The whole "9 months for the price of 12" is a big con and I can't believe that MSE fall for it so much.

Maybe its just that Direct Line don't like me and everyone else thinks they are really cheap?!?!

cmjj

I was with Direct Line for everything - buildings and contents insurance, motor insurance x 2, breakdown insurance, travel insurance, pet insurance - because they were reasonable and reliable. As I'd been with them for a million years, I had a loyalty discount on my home insurance and travel insurance.... until this year. In 2008, for my buildings and contents insurance, I was quoted £961.80 (£984.90 with the monthly credit charge) which was reduced by 40% approx to £599.55 after phoning (£659.51 with the credit charge) 'because you are a loyal customer.'
Onwards to 2009, the quote was £1093.05 (£1116.15 with the credit charge), quite a big rise in itself, but reduced by 40% 'as a reward for your loyalty' to £679.35 (£747.29), much more manageable.
Fast forward to this year, and the quote was £1088.85 (£1114.85). Confident that I'd get a similar loyalty discount, I phoned, only to discover that this was more or less it: they'd discount it to approx £1088, including the credit charge, but that was my lot. Needless to say, with an increase of over £300, I voted with my feet and am now insured with the Post Office for £732.45, plus a £30 cashback from Give or Take, bringing it down to just over £700 for exactly the same cover and as a brand new customer. The same thing has happened with our travel insurance, and ditto, I've left them for the Post Office.
My question is: when did I stop being a loyal customer of Direct Line? And why the whacking leap in premiums when we've made no claims? I think Direct Line are not on comparison websites for a very good reason. Steer clear, they are walloping up the charges. When my motor insurance is due in March, I fully expect to have to look elsewhere. Aaaaaarrrgggh. :mad:

Mikecog

I am unfortunately over 50, so I get my car insurance through SAGA. Well imagine my surprise when I applied for Home insurance with SAGA and was told it would be £46 for the year, but with my car being insured with them I got a £30 pound discount. So my home is now insured for contents only for £16 for the year. Way to go.:T:T:rotfl::rotfl:

Nick_sub

So much for Direct Line's recent "25%" off promotion....I saved a quote while the offer was on and then got a new one yesterday...£1 more expensive! (and no my original quote wasn't for £3...more like £250!) This sort of practice should be illegal.

id99999uk

perhaps the question to ask is WHY do the insurers only offer low contents rates for the online policies
The cynic in me believes that the isurers KNOW most people who take out these low cost policies would be underinsured and be in a position to limit the claim in the event of a major loss.
The comparison websites have driven lower cost insurance BUT the insurers are not stupid they need to protect themselves and this seems like a tool to do just that

id99999uk

sorry x post

katherine31

I changed to Direct Line for contents insurance 2 years ago. 1st year premium £65.10. 2nd year premium £74.55.

The renewal quote I received last week for the next year £107.10. A massive 44% increase.

I have just called them to ask why such a large increase, I had no claims and nothing had changed, didn't get an explanation from them, and they said they could insure me for £79.80. Same policy no changes.

So it is worth phoning.

ohmaheid

I am doing the house insurance renewal thing as budget insurance wanted £152.37. i checked the usual places and gocompare gave a price of £116.65 with budget insurance, i called to see if they'd give it to me and was told that as i'm a current customer i can't accept the new price as they wont allow it! the best they gave was £128.78... so they're going to rob me of nearly £12 just because im a current customer, is this right? feel like im being taken for a ride.
any tips to get them to match the price or allow me to use the price.

Willie

DaveAdams_2

I have been trying to get a cheaper renewal but 9 years ago we had a flood, due to a badly maintained stream in a ditch. Long story short its under ground now and should not be able to flood us again. However when I asked my existing house insurance provider to quote me again as there was a considerable increase in the renewal charges of £70 (12%) for the second year in a row they asked the question have you ever been flooded I answered truthfully as we had made a claim. They then went away to talk to superiors and 10 minutes later came back and said we cannot quote you. I now have to answer the question have you ever been refused house insurance with a yes in case the records are shared.
Is there a statue of limitation on when you have to declare having been flooded and has anyone got any answers to how to get affordable house insurance when you have been flooded in the past.
Many Thanks
Dave

GeordieSaver

Hi - quick question - has anyone heard of Chase Templeton? I got a quote for building and contents from moneysupermarket and they beat it and I get free mobile phone cover with it. I asked the adviser why I had never heard of them and they said the home insurance is usually only for existing customers because it's such a good deal they cant advertise it. but I got it??