to think a lot of insurance policies are just not worth it

[SpentTheDayInBed]

I have two insurance claims going on at the moment. The first is with LoveIt CoverIt for a broken screen on an iPhone 6S. They have been absolutely hopeless - won't bore you all with the story - but I have been waiting 10 working days for them to approve a repair. I have previously had the network provider insurance which although expensive has a quick turn around. Would definitely not recommend LoveIt CoverIt, my experience has been dreadful. I suppose you get what you pay for.

My second insurance claim is for a holiday which we had to cancel due to a death in the family. I took out specialist insurance as DH was treated for cancer a few years back. Claiming for the cancellation has been a long process, and this company are the masters of the drip feed. Was asked to provide a death certificate (fair enough), then a few weeks wait then asked for a medical certificate to rule out pre-existing conditions (how can it be reasonable to know the ins and outs of someones medical history), now the form has been returned asking for a GP stamp. Fair enough perhaps, except they don't specify this on the medical form. Wonder what they are going to ask for next!

I've decided that I am going to cancel the phone insurance once the phone has been fixed and save the money each month to self insure as the phones are no longer new.

Has anyone had any positive experience of mobile phone insurers or cancelled holiday insurance?

I've only ever been let down by insurance companies when I have needed them. I think it's a scam. Only bother with car insurance and we get holiday cover through the bank account.

Buying on insurance company reputation is the way to go.

Often people’s expectations of what insurance policies cover is the problem but that aside some companies seem to offer rubbish service and others - comprehensive contents insurance that cover all possessions on an all risks basis - do not.

I cancelled a holiday in the summer, didn’t visit the doctor until I should have been on the ferry and phoned my travel insurers a couple of days later. I didn’t have to supply any documentation at all, they took my word on what my doctor had said and transferred the cost of our very expensive ferry tickets and accommodation into my bank account within three working days.

For me insurance is something for expensive catastrophes rather than claiming for small things that happen in life.

For me insurance is something for expensive catastrophes rather than claiming for small things that happen in life

Totally agree. I have hardened up lately and do spend an inordinate amount of time on comparethemarket because we never seem to claim but our premiums go up and up

imagine if you used the way you buy insurance for everything else you buy in life. everyone would be wearing primark, eating tesco value food,drinking wine by the box etc

when you buy stuff based only on price, what do you expect will happen?

I don't. I compare price and service and also personal recommendation comes into it.

I had a similar holiday claim a long time back and it did take a lot of arguing.

Essentials are house and contents, travel ( booked the moment you book the trip) and car, plus life if you have dependents and/or a mortgage.

Completely agree. Can't explain why at the moment but wanted to say "YANBU"!

If you are concerned about buying on the basis of cover then the Defaqto website is useful. Look for 5 star rated policies.

Then you need to consider the financial security of the firm. Big names will have a market security rating attached to them; sometimes it is worth paying for a 'name'. Bear in mind that every firm will make mistakes and get stuff wrong - it happens. What matters is that the firm has a good complaints team and suitable infrastructure in place to put things right - and quickly. It's for this reason that I would never fly with Ryanair, no matter how cheap their flights are, because if something goes wrong I don't want to be treated rudely by someone who doesn't give a shit.

In no particular order, I would not bother with:

1. Mobile phone or gadget insurance.
2. Home emergency or boiler cover (with a couple of exceptions).
3. Cycle insurance (unless you are a serious cyclist with road bikes worth £££ and a need for the liability cover).
4. Home appliance extended warranty / breakdown cover (fridges, ovens etc.)

The reasons being that the worst case scenario is that you have to have a total replacement of the item. But how likely is this to happen? If you are an average person who takes care of their stuff, then it's far more likely that the most common accident you'll have with your phone is to drop it. You can get screen repairs done at independent shops for under £100 and an hour's wait - compare that to the excess you would pay on your mobile phone insurance plus the time you'd have to be without your phone whilst you send it away for repair (and that's assuming they pay the claim).

Most appliances can be repaired more cost-effectively by independent repairers (local Facebook sites are good for recommendations). A lot of breakdown is caused by wear and tear, which isn't covered under extended warranty policies anyway. If you are at all worried then stick a tenner a month into a savings account - in 99% of cases you'll be better off doing this than you would be buying the insurance policy.

The exceptions for home emergency are very much dependent on the company. Some good ones will include providing you with an annual boiler service, but policies need to be checked carefully to make sure there aren't any silly exclusions in them. And also check the cost of the excess as well, and if there is a limit on the number of times you can claim in a year.

With critical illness you really need policies that are exclusive (only excluding a short list of illnesses).... As uptthread the inclusive policies you have to be 'lucky' and have one of the illnesses on their list!

I'm sorry for your loss OP and the hassle you're having... We had similar when my mum suddenly died... Took ages but they did pay out eventually.

With our insurance... We have the basics

Contents cover... (we rent) there is also cover for accidental damage anywhere in world for 5k worth... (this means we don't insure elsewhere for baggage... Just illness /missed departure etc.

We have nationwide flexplus... OK 13£ now monthly... But this is worth it just for the breakdown cover... It also included mobile phone insurance (which I wouldn't normally have) and an extra year guarantee on purchases...
I've had the policy a year... Had 2 breakdown call outs... And managed to break glass in brand new phone.. Would be 250£ to replace glass (just had. 25£.exces)
It's already paid for itself!

Ive used barclaycard to 'insure' other purchases.. Over £100 and it protects you a bit more for holidays etc

Think you just have to be very selective, in an industry that pushes the most ridiculous insurances...
My dad was sold mob phone insurance... For his cheapie 60£ mobile... At 5£..per month...( I'm looking at you carphone warehouse...).. Two years later I realised he had it... He just assumes salesmen are looking after his interests...