Home Insurance Discussion

gaily

paa wrote: »

I have a garage at a separate address to my house. I wish to take out just buildings insurance just for the garage...anyone know a company who will do this please?

Personally, I'd go to your curent insurer and see if they'll do it as a second property. As long as it's brick, and has reasonable security - it locking door (preferably mortice deadlocks), they should be able ot assist.

stuartgreece

my buildings insurance was due and I was this evening checking my quote from Esure (£88.85) against those from Aviva (£122) and Direct Line (£92.50). The documentation is clear. Only downside is the to renew it is an '0845' number, not freephone.

brendayorkshirelass

Hi,
you asked for feedback on the new advice sections for home insurance. I've just renewed my home insurance having followed the "high contents value" tab.
The most useful advice was listing the companies who specialise in this category- and I have gone with John Lewis which offers unlimited rebuild costs and unlimited contents, with no need to specify high value items below £5000. Following the comparison sites didn't save any time, or get better results -the reverse in fact as I thought I had a great quote from Sheilas Wheels but ended up being advised to ring them. The lady who took the call was very helpful but explained they are in the low risk market- for info, she said their limits are max £75k contents cover, max £15k total valuable items and no more than 5 items specified (and at these values they require you to have a home safe). Because their underwriters are esure, the same goes for them.

Although the premium is higher than I paid last year I am now properly covered for high value items (I now realise I was underinsured last year, but fortunately didn't need to claim).:o

Overall though this section of the site is excellent and has saved me several hundres of pounds over the past 3 years. Well done and thanks!:money:

starmanuk

I'm currently looking at contents policy with M&S. They have additional options including

Legal Expenses - for £1.77/month and...
Home Emergency Cover - for £4.42/month.

Are either of these worth it or is a waste of money.

oldwiring

My current house and contents is due end next month. Current insurer is Cornhill Direct. From an online quote Saga appears cheaper and before making any decision I intend to look at the policy terms.

However, before I embark on the task, i would ask, if anyone has had experience of either's customer service or claims experience.

What company actually underwrites the Saga Policy?

bulver

Hi everybody

I am in a situation where 5 years ago I made a claim for water damage due to leaking rising main. The damage was in the Hall and staircase, and insurers appointed a co. to do the work. They sub-contracted it to another co, who then subbed it to yet another co.! The work carried out was to such a poor standard that I refused to let them continue, and eventually received a sum of money to pay for the works to be done by my contractor. For the cheek of disputing the quality of their workmanship, I have been penalised by a 40% surcharge ever since. Then 3 yrs ago, my 5 year old conservatory (dwarf brick wall, Upvc & glass panels)was subject of a subsidence claim. To my horror, the same insce co.told me that the claim was void as the building had insufficient foundations (750mm as opposed to 1m for areas of London clay). They then increased my surcharge to 90%, even though they refused to pay for any repairs. I complained to Lloyds, who eventually got them to drop the extra surcharge, but told me that the original 40% surcharge related to a previous years claim, and I could go to another insurer if I was unhappy - what rubbish!! Anyway,
the builder had cleared off to Spain, and I am stuck with a refused claim registered against my property which means no-one else will insure me, even though my ins. co. did not pay out, and incurred only minimal investigation costs.
Can anyone suggest a company which looks at these situations sensibly, and can offer sensible premiums?
Sorry it's so long, but it is complicated!

Blue999_2

Be aware when using these comparison sites and you complete the forms where they ask the questions about alarms. I have a professionally fitted alarm but we do not have an annual maintainance contract so when asked the question on these sites I answered no. The insurance quotes we received however were for alarms that were NACOSS approved and annually maintained. This was'nt clear on the quotes or policy documentation tailored for us it was only evident in a small paragraph when we were about to pay with one insurer. With some others it didn't say anything in the policy documentation or anywhere and it was only through ringing the insurer to check we found that the alarms had to meet this criteria in order for them to pay in the event of a claim. Even when we completed the forms again on the comparison sites stating that we had no alarm we got the same quotes back. When I contacted Moneysupermarket.com to ask if there was a problem with their website they responded as follows: " We are unable to manipulate the requirements set by the insurance companies. Anything stipulated by the insurance company must be adhered to, it may be that you are not eligible for home insurance using our services. Please contact an insurance company directly for further details." I was wrongly under the impression that by answering the questions on the comparison sites it was so they would search for quotes to meet my requirements. On asking colleagues who had used these comparison sites what they thought it seems I am not alone. A couple rang their insurance to check and as they dont have a NACOSS annually maintained alarm their insurance is worthless should they have the misfortune to get burgled and need to make a claim.

gaily

Blue999 wrote: »

A couple rang their insurance to check and as they dont have a NACOSS annually maintained alarm their insurance is worthless should they have the misfortune to get burgled and need to make a claim.

It's amazing how many polices have Intruder alarm warranties written into them when people don't have alarms at all. Check your policy wording.

Reminds me of the Cilla Black incident where RSA refused to pay out on a claim for her, despite there being someone in the house at the time......

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/cilla-black-1m-insurance-blow-6944547.html

PowerSavingMode

I've been looking at standalone family legal protection insurance (didn't take out the legal cover when renewing my home insurance this year as a) I was told it could affect my no claims if I need to use it, and b) I have read it is usually a lot cheaper to buy separately).

Has anyone heard of LawShield Direct and, if so, are they any good?

Thanks.

randombirdpr

I just went with sheila's wheels for my home and contents for £200 - a saving of £600 off the renewal quote from the aa - unebelievable! did it through comparethemarket