I received my annual quote for house and contents insurance from direct line yesterday, I have had all of my insurances with them for years.
The quote was for £888 plus 70 odd quid interest because we pay by monthly direct debit.
I usually just renew like most people, but this year I went to a comparison website.i was astounded by the results. I didn't go for the cheapest because you need to have confidence that your insurance company will help out when you need them, although I've not made a claim in nearly 10 years.
I now have more cover than before for £225 pa, with no interest charge for direct debit. saving nearly £700 pa!.
I called direct line to cancel and asked why they don't value existing customers with competitive quotes. They couldn't provide an answer.
Lesson learnt today, it pays to change every year!
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Also. All comparison sites come up with slightly different results, so if you can be bothered go on 4 sites.
I use moneysupermarket, comparethemarket and gocompare, off the top of my head.
Just done my car insurance today. Gocompare came out cheapest, but the last couple of years, moneysupermarket did.
By the way I wouldn't be too fussed about cheap = no good. Chances are the difference in price will be down to the precise terms of what is on offer rather than whether the company is any good. They'll all be FCA registered and therefore you could claim back off the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if they went belly up.
But IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO READ THE T&Cs TO ENSURE YOU ARE GETTING THE PRODUCT YOU WANT. For example, in the event of a claim, do you want your contents replaced as new or just be paid out with their actual current value?
Personally I always go for some "personal possessions" cover as part of the policy which covers your stuff worldwide when out of the house. Then you don't have to consider whether you are being ripped off (you will be) by separate mobile phone insurance, etc.
I decided I'd check my emails to see if the policy covered accidental damage - we assumed it would. Now I have discovered I can't find a shred of Home Insurance paperwork since we cancelled our renewal last year when it became super expensive with our previous supplier...
Any tips on locating a policy?
Edit, sorry, you say above you've checked your emails! If you know you have a policy but can't find the paperwork, give the insurer a call and see what can be done.
Find out who you paid/are paying and just phone them up - all you need is your address and they can walk you through the rest.
PM me if you need to know more, i deal with Larger claims (Flood/Theft/Fire) but might be able to give you general help or guidelines.
Regarding the policy, its pot luck if you purchased direct and you know who just call them up give them your postcode, address, answer security questions. If via a broker or online it could prove difficult without a copy of email. Cold calling all insurance companies could be fun GL
The steamer practically exploded
I managed to move the unit and realised that the "better" half had re-organised it... Moving all the small light stuff to the bottom board games, garden furniture cushions and all the heavy stuff to the top - vases, cleaning products, plant pots etc... To make the outbuilding area safer for Rosa...
Ridiculous.
If you have no AD, you would unlikely be covered .. unless there is water damage to your property (resultant damage) then you could claim for anything of that nature.
Sounds like an absolute mess, if the dyson/ steamers have been damaged they might want photos as evidence to confirm its consistent its not like they will be worth inspecting if completely smashed.
1. New For Old
2. Does it include accidental damage
3. Excess
4. Valuables limit, individual article and overall
5. Cover away from home/worldwide
6. Bicycles
7. Cash
8. Cover for kids away at Uni
9. Contents & Buildings limit, does it have an average clause in the event of under insurance.
etc etc.
£225 seems very cheap for both buildings and decent contents cover.
Fwiw ....I don't think you have a leg to stand on (a bit like your unit...) accidental damage probably wouldn't cover it & even if it did you'll probably find you didn't have ad in your policy due to the cost.
Its only if they do not have AD this might be a problem, also agree depends on your excess whether its worth claiming for but thats a slightly different conversation.
Yeah going to take pictures of the damaged items tonight, not fussed about the unit, it was old IKEA crap.
Reasonable online quote but not a name I've seen very much and not quoting '5 star Defaqto' rating - whatever that really means!
Mrs cafcfan looks after home insurance (I look after car insurance). We are with Privilege and I have been trying to get her to switch for years. I am of the view that they are ripping us off. The big plus point is you don't have to bother putting a cost on your house rebuild as their better policy is an unlimited value.
Direct Line own a number of brands including Direct Line (obvs.), Privilege and Churchill. Privilege policies are underwritten by an outfit called UK Insurance Ltd, also, I believe owned by Direct Line.