House Insurance company want 'maintained alarm'
Discussion
Ok,
Last year house got burgled.
Week later I fitted a Yale alarm, works well, does what I want.
Now get pre-renewal letter from house insurance company stating that before I can renew I have to imporve the security on the house.
One of the things they mention is that an alarm must be fitted. The say that the alarm must be subject to a maintenance contract. I intially thought that it meant a monitored alarm, but when I spoke to them it turns out that they just need it checked annually to make sure that it is still working etc.
I asked if this is something that I can do as it is a DIY alarm, from Yale, but was told that it has to be a professional company.
Ringing around 3 companies this morning, no one will touch it as it's a DIY alarm and doesn't need professional maintenance, in their opinions. Each company I called said the same thing.
Any one else been in the same situation?
The easy way out would be to switch insurance providers. I'm just not sure if they will also insist on it when I say that I made a claim last year...
Last year house got burgled.
Week later I fitted a Yale alarm, works well, does what I want.
Now get pre-renewal letter from house insurance company stating that before I can renew I have to imporve the security on the house.
One of the things they mention is that an alarm must be fitted. The say that the alarm must be subject to a maintenance contract. I intially thought that it meant a monitored alarm, but when I spoke to them it turns out that they just need it checked annually to make sure that it is still working etc.
I asked if this is something that I can do as it is a DIY alarm, from Yale, but was told that it has to be a professional company.
Ringing around 3 companies this morning, no one will touch it as it's a DIY alarm and doesn't need professional maintenance, in their opinions. Each company I called said the same thing.
Any one else been in the same situation?
The easy way out would be to switch insurance providers. I'm just not sure if they will also insist on it when I say that I made a claim last year...
After we were burgled (about £1800-worth), our renewal just stated that door locks had to be up to current British Standard, window locks fitted and all used, to be covered for theft. The premium barely increased more than inflation. That's with the red-phone lot.
I fitted a D-I-Y wireless alarm anyway.
I fitted a D-I-Y wireless alarm anyway.
I had this after a break in. Went to a broker and explained the circumstances and they were able to match the original quote but without the maintenance requirement. It was a strangely satisfying experience after years of insurance online to ring someone who was able to listen and be flexible. Mark Richards in Bristol for information.
Had exactly the same issue myself a couple of years back. What concerned me most is the potential wriggle factor for them if we left the house and didn't set the Alarm.
Whilst we have an Alarm and sometimes set it. It isn't maintained by a "Professional Company". So the thought of not being insured was somewhat scary. In the end I tried a different tack and asked to have a higher excess without the Alarm. " Not a problem Sir but your excess will rise to £85 from £75".
So in the event I do have to make a claim on burglary only it'll cost me an extra tenner for not having an alarm.... I can live with that.
Whilst we have an Alarm and sometimes set it. It isn't maintained by a "Professional Company". So the thought of not being insured was somewhat scary. In the end I tried a different tack and asked to have a higher excess without the Alarm. " Not a problem Sir but your excess will rise to £85 from £75".
So in the event I do have to make a claim on burglary only it'll cost me an extra tenner for not having an alarm.... I can live with that.
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