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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Boody insurance companies.

14 replies

BlueBrightBlue · 14/08/2014 15:57

Realised yesterday that I'd forgotten to renew my buildings insurance. Phoned broker and explained this and they said no problem we'll get you a quote for combined house and contents insurance.

They rang back and gave me a new quote which I said I was happy to accept. I've used the same broker for 15 years and have never made a claim.

Was asked if I had 20 minutes to spare whilst they ran through a few questions and I said no problem.

They then proceeded to ask all the usual stuff and some....

" How many bedrooms did the property have when it was built?"," 3 but one is the bathroom now, most Victorians didn't have bathrooms."

"Do you have any trees/shrubs taller than x , x distance from you property?"

"What is the construction and material of your roof" , " Artificial slate", " Is it slate" " No, it's artificial" .." We don't have that as an option"

"Is the house occupied during the day?".. " Sometimes", " No it has to be a yes or no" ........

Ditto night time hours...

"How many consecutive days are you going to be away during the next 12 months", " I really don't know" ( not an option either.)

"Have you ever had a CCJ?" ," Yes 30 years ago for council tax, I owed about 25 quid".

" have you ever had a criminal conviction and if so on what date?" ," Yes for a minor offence 20 years ago"

I have never been asked so many ridiculous questions before. Usually I just ignore the reminder which say's if I don't contact them they will assume I am happy with the new quote.

I did find a reminder from them ( another Branch ) and discovered there was nothing to say it would be renewed. I am so cross with myself.

45 minutes later and I was told the company had declined to insure me. I asked why and was told it was because I had a criminal conviction ( spent) and a CCJ. I've never been asked this before.

So what do I do when I approach another company and they ask me if I've ever been refused a policy? Do I lie? Do they really check these things out?

Any advice appreciated.

OP posts:
ICanSeeTheSun · 14/08/2014 16:03

Never lie to an insurance company you will be found out.

HappyAgainOneDay · 14/08/2014 16:05

Use Compare.com.

A blessing. I don't remember being asked questions like those.

Original poster
BlueBrightBlue · 14/08/2014 16:07

I've never lied to my current broker, they never asked these questions before that's all, it seems they are getting tighter.
Was also asked how much it would cost to rebuild my house and I said I really didn't know. They used to have a fixed price depending on the current value.

OP posts:
Pinkrose1 · 14/08/2014 16:14

Go compare will have a rebuilding estimate as part of the quote. Just take it from there and of course don't lie!

alwaysdoinglaundry · 14/08/2014 16:20

Unfortunately I think you will now always have to say that you have been declined insurance.

ilovepowerhoop · 14/08/2014 16:23

when I have done price comparisons online it asks you the same questions as you were asked on the phone e.g. trees close to the property, whether house is occupied during the day/night, whether the house will be unoccupied for any length of time while on holiday (think its 30 days normally), etc, etc

allisgood1 · 14/08/2014 16:27

Go to the cosumer action group forum and post this same post. They are incredibly helpful there.

cashmiriana · 14/08/2014 16:28

Those are standard questions, surely? I've been answering them for 25 years since I bought my first house.

Original poster
BlueBrightBlue · 14/08/2014 16:34

No, not standard as in is the house occupied during the day" " Sometimes" or " usually" were not options. They wanred yes or no answers, I couldn't answer them.How do I stay in all day, never go out etc, it was ridiculous.

OP posts:
Marrow · 14/08/2014 16:37

Those are standard questions, I have spent years asking customers those questions! I'm afraid you will have to declare that you have been refused insurance now.

ilovepowerhoop · 14/08/2014 16:40

they are standard - means are you normally out at work all day or are you generally close to the house e.g sahp.

Original poster
BlueBrightBlue · 14/08/2014 16:48

I have been with the broker 15 years, they never ask me these questions every time I renew my policy, they ask if there has been any changes. I may tell them I've got a different job, but that's about all really. I answered truthfully when I first took out the policy and I was truthful when they asked yesterday.

I do not have a criminal conviction, have not had one for 15 years, it makes my blood boil.

I can't lie and say my roof is slate, I can't lie and say it's concrete tiles, or thatched or whatever, they would not let me hear the options either.

I recently changed my car insurance and there wasn't anywhere near as many questions.

OP posts:
Original poster
BlueBrightBlue · 14/08/2014 16:51

No, this was something else I can tell you, the list of questions was endless, there were some really bizzare ones; and I'm going to contact consumer action group allisgood .

OP posts:
wobblyweebles · 15/08/2014 00:21

Try a different broker. If they ask you the same list of questions then probably YABU. If not then you've found your broker...

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