Home Insurance - any good experiences?
Discussion
Hi,
Was wondering if anyone had any good 'real world' experiences of home insurers? Have any of you had a good experience when you've had to claim?
I'm just going through an accidental damage claim for my laptop, which has so far taken six weeks to the day, with my current insurer making me jump through ridiculous hoops, with no incoming communication from them (I've had to call six times during the period to find out what's going on).
I made the mistake of buying cheap, I now realise how important it is to have an insurer look after me.
Has anyone got any good service stories or any recommendations they can pass on please? I'd much rather spend more money and have peace of mind that any situation is quickly and fairly dealt with.
Was wondering if anyone had any good 'real world' experiences of home insurers? Have any of you had a good experience when you've had to claim?
I'm just going through an accidental damage claim for my laptop, which has so far taken six weeks to the day, with my current insurer making me jump through ridiculous hoops, with no incoming communication from them (I've had to call six times during the period to find out what's going on).
I made the mistake of buying cheap, I now realise how important it is to have an insurer look after me.
Has anyone got any good service stories or any recommendations they can pass on please? I'd much rather spend more money and have peace of mind that any situation is quickly and fairly dealt with.
a few years back I had to claim from Norwich Union - now called Avaya. Not sure if this is relevant as they have changed organisation since then but...
Had a burst pipe, got on the phone, they agreed my initial assesment and offered to send out a plumber - but I had already fixed the pipe. They sent their building maintenance co in within the week to rip up and replace laminate floor. Unfortunately the co they used were crap and it took about three weeks (4 visits) to eventually lay a floor I was happy with (it took me 2 days doing it myself).
There was a hole in the plaster board from the water, I fixed this myself. they sent a painter round to redecorate the whole room although it didnt really need it. I had to arrange replacement lino for the kitchen as they just never got around to it.
I complained after about a week , the net result was:
Laminate floor replaced with much better quality than I had installed (sorry for the delay sir , choose any flooring you would like)
I was paid the cost of the lino + fitting + 10% for my efforts
they added 3 hours labour @ £60 per hour to the payment for my time to fix the wall and plumbing
they paid for all the materials to fix the wall and the plumbing including some new tools required
they paid the bill for me to take my wife and kids out for a decent restaurant meal as an apology
they sent my Mrs a big bunch of flowers
SO the end result was that they cocked it up and dragged their feet but as a result of my complaint I was quids in.
Had a burst pipe, got on the phone, they agreed my initial assesment and offered to send out a plumber - but I had already fixed the pipe. They sent their building maintenance co in within the week to rip up and replace laminate floor. Unfortunately the co they used were crap and it took about three weeks (4 visits) to eventually lay a floor I was happy with (it took me 2 days doing it myself).
There was a hole in the plaster board from the water, I fixed this myself. they sent a painter round to redecorate the whole room although it didnt really need it. I had to arrange replacement lino for the kitchen as they just never got around to it.
I complained after about a week , the net result was:
Laminate floor replaced with much better quality than I had installed (sorry for the delay sir , choose any flooring you would like)
I was paid the cost of the lino + fitting + 10% for my efforts
they added 3 hours labour @ £60 per hour to the payment for my time to fix the wall and plumbing
they paid for all the materials to fix the wall and the plumbing including some new tools required
they paid the bill for me to take my wife and kids out for a decent restaurant meal as an apology
they sent my Mrs a big bunch of flowers
SO the end result was that they cocked it up and dragged their feet but as a result of my complaint I was quids in.
Been many threads about home and contents insurance recently.
The story always starts the same, cheap insurance = PITA claim experience.
Many are very good and all I can say is that my experience with MoreThan recently has been simply brilliant over a couple of claims.
Just got my renewal through and it's about £1,100pa for buildings and contents.I'm happy with that.
The story always starts the same, cheap insurance = PITA claim experience.
Many are very good and all I can say is that my experience with MoreThan recently has been simply brilliant over a couple of claims.
Just got my renewal through and it's about £1,100pa for buildings and contents.I'm happy with that.
We've been with MBNA insurance for the last 3-4 years. Prices have always been competitive. Had 2 claims, 1st for a laptop - centre pin broke off the charging socket. I took it apart to fix it and it refused to work when i put it back together. They still replaced it even though i told them the truth. 2nd time i hit a water pipe that was just below a floor tile in the kitchen, they had someone out within a couple of days and a voucher in the post within the week for our preferred shop that was enough to cover replacement flooring for the kitchen, dining and living room flooring and fitting. Had to pay £100 excess in each case and our renewal has barely changed.
Our insurance renews tomorrow and they beat 90% of the companies on one of the comparison sites, so i didn't bother phoning around.
Our insurance renews tomorrow and they beat 90% of the companies on one of the comparison sites, so i didn't bother phoning around.
The only time anyone in my family has had to claim was when our shed got broken into. We just gave them a list of the stuff that was missing and a month or so later we got a new hedge cutter and rotervator 
they even gave us a few quid for a small can of petrol that was with
Direct Line.
Only problem was that a year or more after we wanted to use the chainsaw only to realise that it must have been stolen as well and we never noticed it had gone!
they even gave us a few quid for a small can of petrol that was with Direct Line.
Only problem was that a year or more after we wanted to use the chainsaw only to realise that it must have been stolen as well and we never noticed it had gone!
Used to be with AXA. Claimed twice, no problems either time.
First time was following a burglary & they were very, very quick to sort stuff. I had replacements within 10days, no arguments or fuss. I had a cheap TAG watch stolen, it was replaced with one costing £700 quid more. Very helpful, good with options for replacements.
First time was following a burglary & they were very, very quick to sort stuff. I had replacements within 10days, no arguments or fuss. I had a cheap TAG watch stolen, it was replaced with one costing £700 quid more. Very helpful, good with options for replacements.
Jasandjules said:
Hiscox.
You may now close the thread.
You may not. Appalling on two claims, will never use again. Took over six months to settle on one, despite having all the paperwork they asked for on day one, they kept asking for it again and again and again. They used to be exceptional I agree, but no longer, now they're just expensive.You may now close the thread.
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