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Original poster

Home insurance recommendation please!

17 replies

zebrachick · 31/01/2022 09:54

Hi all
I'm about to exchange on a 2 bed shared ownership properly.
My mortgage broker signposted me to a home insurance company who I'm not convinced are any good.
I have never bought a home!
I (think) I am hoping for contracts insurance & for things like damage to windows/roof (top floor flat) to be covered, as well as white goods damage. There is an internal heating system for all flats so no boiler....
Can anyone recommend a decent company & give me an idea re cost?
Many thanks 💜

OP posts:
Original poster
zebrachick · 31/01/2022 09:55

Contents insurance! Not contracts insurance 😄

OP posts:
mandoforever · 31/01/2022 10:01

I Airways go on the comparison websites and pick the cheaoest that I'm happy with the coverage, I've heard of, is not all online and has a decent defaqto rating.

My son had a big claim with axa ppp and they were excellent.

Original poster
zebrachick · 31/01/2022 11:22

Thanks @mandoforever 💚

OP posts:
mindutopia · 31/01/2022 13:51

I too would just look on comparison sites, fill out the form for a quote and see who would be willing to take it. I don't know if there would be any special considerations for a flat or shared ownership, but I know there were some companies that would not consider our property because of the construction (cob walls) or because we had an oil fired boiler. And there was a huge difference in price between them (literally a difference of about £1500 per annum!).

Original poster
zebrachick · 31/01/2022 14:44

Thanks @mindutopia
It's tricky as it's a new build so can't put the address in yet/can't answer all the questions in the comparison site...

OP posts:
catndogslife · 31/01/2022 16:29

If you are an owner occupier you need buildings and contents insurance. The 2 policies can be combined.
You need to have a policy in place at the date of exchange.
Perhaps a broker has been recommended because the property is a new build.
There are other online brokers so you could try one of those instead.

Dougieowner · 31/01/2022 18:10

I normally go on comparison websites but like the OP we are also buying a new build and the address does not yet appear on their lists (it's registered for everything else).
Arranged it this morning, went through A-Plan and am now insured with LV (well, will be on Friday).
A little more expensive than before but the cover is better and it I want to I can shop around next year.

Haroweller · 01/02/2022 09:23

Try Direct Line. They are not on comparison sites but I think they are really good.

WeAllHaveWings · 01/02/2022 09:27

@Haroweller

Try Direct Line. They are not on comparison sites but I think they are really good.
was just about to say the same. We are with directline.

Do the comparison sites and also a quote through directline and compare them all.

Xfox · 01/02/2022 10:04

@catndogslife

If you are an owner occupier you need buildings and contents insurance. The 2 policies can be combined. You need to have a policy in place at the date of exchange. Perhaps a broker has been recommended because the property is a new build. There are other online brokers so you could try one of those instead.
Not necessarily for leasehold, buildings insurance is usually the responsibility of the freeholder. But the OP is not very clear on what they need, as they mention needing insurance for roof & windows - but also say it's a flat (so typically leasehold). It could be they will also own a share of freehold so will need buildings insurance though.
FidosMum · 01/02/2022 19:21

Don't go for John Lewis. I recommended to my parents in Northern Ireland who then had a leak over Christmas. John Lewis have been dreadful. First they claimed they had never heard of my parents. Each time there was some obstacle. They insisted on only speaking to my father who had a hearing impairment, rather than my mother. My parents, in their seventies and eighties, have had to go from pillar to post to sort things out. JL are still messing them about. I will be leaving John Lewis insurance at the first opportunity.

FidosMum · 01/02/2022 19:46

It's important to find an insurer with a good track record for helping customers, as well as price. I got caught up with the John Lewis name this time and thought I couldn't go wrong. You need some company which isn't going to stress you out if you need to claim!

delilahbucket · 01/02/2022 20:01

I would contact a broker who can work out what you need. A Google search will bring up one local to you.

thegcatsmother · 01/02/2022 20:27

Marks and Spencer. Worth every penny. Cheap buildings/contents insurance may leave you under insured.

TheLette · 01/02/2022 21:51

You need to be careful with this. When are you completing? Normal home insurance won't work for a new build between exchange and completion because the property will be unoccupied. That's what I understood anyway when we tried to do the same thing last summer (our sale fell through so I never worked out a solution in the end). I would call an insurance broker and explain the exact circumstances to ensure that the insurance is correct. You can add contents insurance later once you move in, you don't need that until you move in so save your money.

Original poster
zebrachick · 01/02/2022 21:54

Thanks everyone for all your awesome tips & advice! Really appreciated xx

OP posts:
JLQ1020 · 01/02/2022 21:55

Go to a broker for the first time and ask loads of questions. You may pay a little more that if you sourced it yourself but as you can change each year it will give you the confidence in year 2 to shop around.

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