John Lewis

[bananaskin123]

John Lewis have decided they're not renewing our house insurance. As the result of a horrific robbery at home in September they settled a claim but now its come round for renewal they are declining. Reading some not very good reviews which is sad cos we always found them excellent. I'm trying to find their email address but with no luck. Just wondered if anyone had it. I think their letter deserves a strong response after all these years. Thanks for your help.

I think it’s something to do with chances of being burgled again. There’s a 1 in 4 chance of being burgled a second time unfortunately. Get cctv, ring doorbell, locks on windows etc

Have they said it's because of that? We got notified yesterday that they're closing down our credit card account. It's a whole business kind of change rather than related to our usage, I wonder if they're cutting back the insurance too.

Could you call customer services and ask?

Sorry to hear you've been through a robbery OP, that's genuinely appalling and I sincerely hope nobody was harmed, it must have been very stressful.

Re: the insurance, a letter won't change anything, they're within their rights to not offer insurance going forward even if it does feel somewhat mercenary. Presumably you'll just get a standard letter back and it probably isn't worth the stress when there are so many other insurers available who may offer a policy.

John Lewis insurance and finance is total white label, so the underlying insurer will be making the decisions based upon hopefully some decent data.

M&S is similar.

I feel in a strange way we have been slightly conned over the years by these supposed decent companies of the high street offering insurance and finance products. Of course, they werent. They didnt have the expertise. I'm just fed up that M&S conned my mum a few years ago. The exclusion clause was buried in the small print but so small I needed a huge magnifying glass to find it.

It’s not John Lewis that insure you it’s their underwriter - who is that?
That said, JLs customer service has taken such a nosedive over the least few years I’d say you can find better tbh.

Sorry for your experience btw

They're relaunching the credit card later this year with a new provider. All the current credit cards they have are provided by HSBC and they're ending that relationship. I was hoping they'd just migrate all card holders over but it looks like you have to apply again to the new provider.

I’ve just had an email from them which I haven’t read in detail yet. My house insurance with them is due for renewal early Sept. I think based on what they have said they have changed their underwriter and certain things about the policy. The change of underwriter may have involved some review of their book? I’d like to switch from them as the policy is expensive but swapping house insurance is always more hassle than the car. Quite difficult to find a like for like policy so you can judge on price alone.

Yes we've had a cc card with them for years', a real pain having to reapply

A case of shop around unfortunately 👍

sorry to hear about the burglary and hope you are ok? 👍👍

Yup. And I bet the rewards on the new card will be more shit.

Thanks everyone. Our problem seems to be when applying for new house insurance we are not being accepted because of the claim last year. Bit of a nightmare. It was a reasonably large claim because of the amount that was taken. Not sure where we go next. They really have left us in the lurch with just two weeks to go. The robbery was the only claim since 2018 (which was to replace a leaking oil pipe) most of which we paid as the pipe was very old. Anyone know any specialist brokers who might help rather than on line.

I used to use Hiscox for House and Buildings - then they upped their minimum premium significantly. So now I use A PLan - broker. I dont always know the companies they suggest - often a Lloyds broker. But yes you do have to look at all the details!

Do you not get any results at all from any of the comparison sites?

I'm surprised that no one will quote.

I sympathise. You might be better off with a broker. Might save you time if not money. I really hate the fact that with insurance something happens which is totally not your fault, in fact you are a victim of crime, you use the insurance as intended and then you are penalised.

@mynameiscalypso the problem is, we may well not qualify for the new one, effectively it's being closed on us.

I would try brokers and if you don't have any luck then speak to the ombudsman.

I’ve got a Partnership credit card as well. It’s really shitty that they’re forcing everyone to reapply, I’m going elsewhere instead. I’m particularly pissed off because I’ve only had the card a couple of years, and had to pay to get my ID notarised to comply with their ridiculous policy. Not happy at all.

The saga goes on... We received yet another letter today telling us of a few changes in their underwriters and we should renew our policy. On trying to do so we were told that the letter had been sent in error and we could not renew because of the two claims in the last five years. No one wants a claim especially as horrific as the one last September. JL have really gone downhill in my estimation. I did email the CEO and her PA replied saying she'd sent it to the appropriate department and a case manager would be in touch. Had enough now and followed the advice given up thread re A Plan. Hopefully they're getting back to us tomorrow.

Your experience has made me think I really need to sort it out this year and switch. It’s ok having an expensive policy if you get the service but ditching you with no warning so close to your renewal is really poor.