Home insurance reviews

Meeten

Meeten

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Meeten
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Hi,

In the process of renewing home insurance and whilst price is a factor, I'd much rather go with a company that deals with any claims (if they arise) with efficiency.
Anyone have any positive experiences of claiming and dealing with home insurance?

I'm with Direct Line at the moment and whilst he premium (the full shabang, all singing all dancing) comes in at £370, I've seen others at approx £250 but am not sure if I want to move and get a mickey mouse company. I should point out that DL includes annual travel insurance, which in my head is worth nearly £100 to me - and yes we are going away next year so will need the cover.
 
Use a price comparison site, and choose the best of the insurers that suits you.
 
I've done that, but on looking at reviews of the likes of esure, LVE, AXA (names that I recognise that came up with sharper prices), the comments were pretty poor.
Many others were cheaper - but as mentioned, it's not JUST about cost.
 
We use John Lewis who have been excellent for the few minor claims we have made, not sure who they are underwritten by but their policies are their own and very comprehensive.

My policy has always been to ONLY insure the things you can't afford to lose (home, car, travel) but if you do need it then get a policy worth having.
 
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Been with Direct Line for years but recently had a claim (still ongoing) and the service is shocking. They do not handle anything themselves, it's all contracted out. Our front door was damaged (long story) and it's still boarded up eight weeks later with no new door in sight so I will be contacting the insurance ombudsman later today. Things are bad when the workmen that came to estimate the job told me that DL are the worst company to insure your house with as everything is down to price.

As is often said on here, the acid test of an insurance company is when you need to make a claim!
 
Hiscox has been excellent for the major claim we unfortunately had to make. But then again considering their pricing they should be. They were competitive in the past when we had some high value jewellery as named items but now we don't I think there are better options around.
 
Been with Motor and Home Direct for a few years now and the one claim I had to make when we had our hotel room burgled while on holiday was handled quickly and efficiently. Also I would say theyre the cheapest quote I had by far even after the claim.
 
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Direct line were good when we were burgled - this was almost 20 years ago. Only reason I don't use them now is the business about listing "valuables / collections" is such a pain in the bum that I pay more to avoid doing it.
 
onomatopoeia said:
Direct line were good when we were burgled - this was almost 20 years ago. Only reason I don't use them now is the business about listing "valuables / collections" is such a pain in the bum that I pay more to avoid doing it.
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Exactly what I did in the past - the process was so hard and the risk of getting it wrong was so bad it was easier to go with another insurance company that didn't try (whether intentional or not) and trip you up.
 
So, Hiscox get good write ups. So they should, when they are asking £1,154 for cover..... (with £250 xs)!!

Looks like I'll be going to Direct Line again, but getting £28 back via TopCashBack......
£350 with £100xs.

The one claim I had to make wasn't the easiest, but it wasn't a total pita.
 
Have to say that the one thing that impressed me about Halifax was their home insurance. Nationwide was also good. Had a buildings claim with Halifax and a valubkes claim with Nationwide. Was impressed with how they were dealt with. However not the cheapest.
 
The problem is that most of the reviews seem to centre around how easy it was to take it out or the price paid, not the actual service following a claim.

My understanding is the best ones in terms of claims handling and payouts are John Lewis and Hiscox but you end up paying more.
 
noneforit said:
The problem is that most of the reviews seem to centre around how easy it was to take it out or the price paid, not the actual service following a claim.

My understanding is the best ones in terms of claims handling and payouts are John Lewis and Hiscox but you end up paying more.
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Which is exactly why I am looking to gather first hand information here....
Its not all about price...... But I'm not wanting to pay way too much over the odds.
 
One thing that shouldn't be forgotten is to compare what is actually included; in the case of Hiscox there is a lot standard included, and especially for those working from home or having a business it is a really good policy as on-premise business equipment is also covered. There is the the limits to valuables before they have to become a named item, and also the limits applied for objects taken out of the house. The builders were waiting ready to secure our property following the burglary and all taken care of by Hiscox as well.

If those kind of things are appealing and relevant then you'll find they are actually very competitively priced, however if you have no need for any of such extensions to the policy then it may be money wasted.
 
I have been with Hastings Premier for a few years now. we have over £20k of extras for away from house and the preice is very reasonable
 
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