What do you want from your Home Insurance policy? Share with Sheilas' Wheels for a chance to win a £300 Love2Shop voucher! NOW CLOSED

[ZaneMumsnet]

We’ve been asked by Sheilas' Wheels to find out what Mumsnetters want from their Home Insurance policy.

They say "we appreciate that Home insurance isn't something you think about every day, however, should you need it you want to know everything is covered."

So, is it better cover levels that you look for? Perhaps it’s more confidence in your provider's service or maybe something to keep your family safe when you take out a policy?

Whatever you’d like from your Home Insurance policy, Sheilas' Wheels would like to hear them.

Everyone who posts on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher.

Thanks,
MNHQ
Standard Insight T&Cs apply

I want a basic policy as simple as possible for building and contents, with fair renewal prices that don't force me to shop around every year. I have never claimed on any type of insurance policy and I'd like that to be reflected in the price. I want good customer service. I want any fancy stuff to be additional add on so that I don't have to pay for what I don't want or need.

I would like really clear terms and conditions, with anything that would invalidate the policy (unlocked windows, overnight guests) clearly stated.

I also like that personal item allowance - we have a policy where an extra £2000 personal item is insured which covers my engagement ring.

Home insurance is so confusing. However I have claimed on mine because I lost some jewellery. They were so helpful and made me feel better about the situation- it was my wedding ring!! It's important to have friendly people on the other end of the phone.

A sufficiently high enough sum to be insured to cover the cost of rebuilding the property, Is the most essential for me.

UK call centre with free phone numbers and friendly, open staff is a must! Competitive pricing and uncomplicated policies with no strings etc. Straightforward, open communication :)

I want a discout year on year for being a loyal customer instead of the price automatically rising if I dont shop around, I also want to be able to reach someone at the end of a phone 24/7 and clear, simple T&C'S

I would like low prices every year unless I had to claim.
It is a well known fact that the 1st year with an insurer gives you discounts which is why I shop around every year.

Reward for loyalty, not just for new customers. Clear, simple easy to understand terms, with claiming made easy, instead of companies doing everything they can to get out of paying claims!

A decent price and a quick good service when i need to use it

Easy to understand, customised policy documents. I hate getting a thick leaflet with every section headed "If you have xx coverage, the following applies. If you have a voluntary excess, go to section y. If you have not selected either of these options, go to section z which will appear to be contradictory." (Loose paraphrase of my last experience with Churchill)

A single clear policy number, always labelled as such. Reference numbers on every letter you send me do not help. And it's annoying to see 'reference number' at the top of a letter and then dig out the policy number only to discover that that was the policy number so I had it already.

As you can tell I like helpful attention to detail!

I want to know that they won't sneakily try and get out of paying for claims! As an army family we are limited to a choice of 3 insurers - we should have more options

I would like a straight forward simple policy.
No hidden loopholes, no hidden charges.
Also a reasonable opening UK number to call if needed

A good price without the need to change every lock in the house .. Speedy claim procedure that does not make it a job to wriggle out of.

Easy renewal options with discount for no claims. Sensible excess choices. Freephone call centre with helpful staff!

U.K. Call centres, claims dealt with promptly by efficient staff and not being made to feel like it's my fault.

I want fuss free support if I ever have to make a claim and clear English in all the policy documents.

A policy booklet that is simple and short.
Very clear wording for anything that is not covered.
For it not to go up in cost every time it is due for renewal forcing me to trawl websites and comparison sites. Surely if I didn't make a claim then it should not go up in cost.
UK call centre.

value and honesty

clear, easy to understand terms

no hidden loopholes to make my policy invalid

minimal excess/hidden charges. if I am claiming, it's because I need it. the process has to be as smooth, quick and pain free as possible

clear information about what is included and what is not

No admin charges for name or address changes etc.

Reasonable premium. New for old cover. And I never want them to renew the policy automatically!

For named jewellery items the option to have cash so that you can choose to have the item replicated rather than vouchers for a high street jewellery shop to 're- buy' the item. After I break-in I had to make several phone calls to my insurer at the time to avoid receiving the default vouchers which would not have enabled me to replace the antique diamond eternity which had been stolen.

A general guide as to what the cost of replacing items is - a realistic figure - so that I can take out the appropriate cover.

UK call centre
Reduced premiums for no-claims bonuses
Realistic excess - nothing stupid!
That's what I'd like to see!

I would like a straight forward policy without all the exclusions! Plus excellent customer care