Insurance outcast
Author
Discussion

Brown and Boris

Original Poster:

11,838 posts

266 months

Saturday 23rd August 2008
quotequote all
Just been to one of those 'supermarket' type online companies for buildings and contents insurance. Seems I am just about uninsurable because:

My house is too old (pre-1800)

My wasls are made of the wronmg stuff (stone)

I am too young

The cover I want for contents is too much (I wanted £60k to cover some decent antiques, technology, my watch and the OH's jewellery and ceramics collection which doesn't feel excessive)

I am a flood risk because a blocked drain flooded the house last year ( we are miles from any stream, river, canala, resevior or the sea). Sems the fact it was a drain and not the river makes no difference

My existing insurers are offering buildings and contents for £720 PA based on rebuilding costs of £250K, contents of £60K and high risk items (Jewelletry of 18K).

What is everybody else paying?

Is last years flood going to cost me dear for many years to come?




Edited by Brown and Boris on Saturday 23 August 11:03

heisthegaffer

4,324 posts

229 months

Saturday 23rd August 2008
quotequote all
Hi mate, I am insurance man albeit not household any more but you will find someone to look at that risk the way it should be looked at. The problem with the online quote systems is that they is virtually no human input and they really are for 'standard' risks i.e my 1980's house with (touch wood) no claims.

I would look at approaching a broker, you will always get a better serivce from a decent broker especially when it comes to claiming if you're unlucky. There will be specialist brokers for your type of property. I don't have any insurances other than travel from an online company because I know how difficult claims can be to deal with at the best of times.

Incidentally talking of claims, most general insurers tend to consider one moderate claim acceptable so this shouldn't affect actually getting cover although the market is hardening so we should all expect increases, particularly if we get more heavy flooding like we did last year. If you go and see a broker about it (I would do) maybe look at the enviromenatl agency, they have a flood checker so you could print off a map to give to the broker to demonstrate you're not in a flood area.

Where abouts are you based? There may be a local broker who can help, if not PM me and I'll have a look through the trade mags I get at work or see if I know anyone who may be able to help.


Regards

Gaffer

thinfourth2

32,414 posts

235 months

Saturday 23rd August 2008
quotequote all
Brown and Boris said:
Just been to one of those 'supermarket' type online companies for buildings and contents insurance. Seems I am just about uninsurable because:

My house is too old (pre-1800)
So your house which is over 200 years old is more at risk from falling down then a barret flat pack house which are made from cardboard and sticky back plastic



weeowen

119 posts

236 months

Saturday 23rd August 2008
quotequote all
Try Hiscox.We use them and they seem to offer higher cover etc.

Brown and Boris

Original Poster:

11,838 posts

266 months

Saturday 23rd August 2008
quotequote all
Thanks for the PM's guys. I think I have it fixed bnow but it looks like I will have 4 more years of high premiums!

OwenK

3,472 posts

226 months

Saturday 23rd August 2008
quotequote all
I've always been curious why it would be based on the age of the policy holder? I mean, it's not like they can say you're more likely to crash the house, are you? scratchchin

Silverbullet767

11,363 posts

237 months

Saturday 23rd August 2008
quotequote all
Dont know if they would touch an old building, but im with more than, and they have 75k worth of contents cover as standard.

Not that I own anywhere near that kind of valuables!!

This macbook pro is probably the most expensive thing in the house.