House insurance (OT)

[sweetheart]

Just a quick question really. Has house insurance ( buildings and contents) gone up a lot or is it just mine?

I cannot work out why its gone up over £100 this year to £328 for a 2 bed bungalow , rural location, for seemingly no reason. I haven't claimed for more years than I can recall. Further they took my accidental cover off me and gave me "sports insurance " - for bikes and equipment I don't possess! Its RBS. Is something going on here?

Haven't been able to get quotes off sites today as they either wouldn't recognize my occupation, thought I was foreign ( despite my putting in I was born here) and in one case suggested a premium of £1029 ( I kid not!)

[Jonathan]

All insurance has gone up a lot this year. I got 10% off three different policies just by questioning the increases.

Jonathan

[Tim Streater]

Have you tried insurance broker ??

[tim....]

It's because you haven't shopped around and they are playing you for a mug

tim

[sweetheart]

Yes, I found out from my car insurance there is no reward for loyalty anymore - or even a fair price.

But the fact they have an open direct debit which will renew automatically it does seem a P*ss take to send a renewal like this. M&S ( which is AXA) will offer me the same cover for £228 which is less than AXA themselves will offer it for ( they want £270). Similarly I had two different quotes from RIAS - one two weeks ago, valid until October which was £238 and one now which was £290! Go figure.

As for using price comparison sites - confused.com is really confusing. Its sure got me confused anyway.

[Andy Cap]

Try Aviva. They're not on the comparison sites.

[sweetheart]

A bit like double glazing firms, not exactly thick on the ground here.

[sweetheart]

Is that from experience or because you have seen it on TV?

[Andy Cap]

From experience. I think they'll still give you an initial discount, so like everyone else, the following year you have to check again, but this time I decided to stay with them.

As you point out, you have to keep a close watch on the small print as they change the terms in an effort to keep the headline premium down.

[ARWadsworth]

Alexander Graham Bell must be turning in his grave.

[sweetheart]

Have you not heard of the internet? No one uses a phone these days!

[Lobster]

Have to say I'm well impressed with them; at least for motor insurance... last year, with two teenage drivers on to my policy (aargh!) I did the old comparison site tango, and got about 300 quotes from several different sites. Aviva - not on the comparison sites - undercut them all dramatically so I went with them.

Just had my renewal notice from them - up by about 25-30% on last year despite no claims or changes in circs. "Aye, aye" I thought - they're taking the mick from a renewing customer. Went back on the comparison sites again, and could not find a single premium there below £2,600. My

*renewal* premium with Aviva, however, was only(!) £1,450.

David

[Owain]

They are located in your nearest sizeable town, and may be 'rung up' on the telephone.

Owain

[sweetheart]

I have just got a quote off them . £176 . I can have free contents insurance apparently. Its very tempting as the cover is virtually like for like with my existing policy ( I could even add protected no claims and probably come in cheaper than the other quotes I have)

[sweetheart]

They are located in your nearest sizeable town, and may be 'rung up' on the telephone.

My nearest sizeable town is thirty miles away. I did say I was rural. I prefer the internet. Oddly I have lost the art of talking to people.

[Jules Richardson]

I thought they all use Blackberry's messaging service, then smash stuff up?

[Nightjar]

That, in itself, will increase your premiums. Thefts in rural areas are going up significantly.

Colin Bignell

[ARWadsworth]

You you would have neither without AGB.

Why do you need the insurance broker to live in your village? You can call or email one that lives miles away.

[David P]

[e-mail]...

Try the NFU - they like rural and you don't have to be a member.

[sweetheart]

In that case I would doubt that he is turning in his grave ( your implication was that my desire not to use a phone would be the cause?) . I suspect AGB would welcome the internet.

I don't but the last time I used a broker I left a message on an answer maching and I couldn't get them to call me! So I have given up on that method.