Experience of switching mortgage deal during fixed term

[AcidZumba]

We want to switch our deal and fix for 10 years now, before the interest rates go up. We've done the maths and it makes sense for us, even with the ERC.

In order to do this Nationwide insist you speak to their mortgage advisor. This is fine but I'm puzzled over why the appointment takes 1.30 hours. It's not an affordability check as it's a deal switch. They've asked for copies of our life insurance and building and contents policies, which we obviously already have.

Is this just an opportunity for them to try and sell us things? I feel like we don't want or need the advice but we have no choice.

Does anyone know what else will be discussed over an hour and a half?!

Thanks

Can't advise re: Nationwide, but I was in the same position last November with Halifax. A few years into a 5 year fixed rate deal and I wanted to switch to a better deal. The helpful mortgage adviser at Halifax pointed out that even if I switched to a different deal with them, I'd still be liable to pay the Early Repayment Penalty, so suggested I checked the whole market before deciding which deal was best for me. I ended up going with a different building society as even with paying the ERP of several thousand, over the term of the loan I still saved money. I was also able to go for an offset mortgage, which Halifax didn't offer.

So bear in mind that even if you stay with Nationwide, you'll still have to pay the Early Repayment Penalty, and you might find a better deal elsewhere.