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

A fuss-free and immediate emergency repair where necessary (all our windows blew in in a gale)
No lengthy automated press this-for that and that-for this recorded message when you are distracted and under pressure.
A calm helpful friendly voice
A fair settlement
No follow up calls from ambulance chasers wanting to know if I need to make a personal injury claim
A clear explanation of what is / not covered, and what to do in an emergency - a little sticker with the helpline number and policy to stick inside the cupboard.

What I find hardest about contents insurance is estimating the level of cover we would need for those contents, so some sort of ready reckoner so that we could check (or at least test) that the level of cover was adequate.

Insurance that does what it's supposed to do: if something goes wrong that isn't intentional or wear and tear, it pays out.

Online claims forms.

No voice recognition software on the call centre number (which should be free from a landline and have an 0345 number for a mobile).

Sensible renewals that are actually competitive and reward no claims and loyalty so that I don't have to go through the hassle of getting new cover every year.

Partner offers for customers on things that will make their home safer: smoke alarms, CO alarms, security systems, motion-sensor lights etc.

Most of all

NO LOYALTY PENALTY

I am disgusted that the UK insurance co thinks it's a good idea to charge extra, year after year, to loyal customers who stick with them, so they end up paying multiples of the market rate.

If I get a quote from you as a new customer that is higher than you charge me as a renewing one, I will dump you.

I would only in very rare circumstances claim on my home insurance if i absolutely had to so i like to have option of high excess for a low premium.

I want to have complete confidence that if i ever needed to claim that it would be straightforward with easy to get through to helplines.

I would want good level of cover included as standard so i don't have to worry about which things are included and what are add-ons.

Low excesses and cover for mobile phones, iPads etc outside of the home. Upfront costs and not to be mislead.

Uk call centre.

Easy to . understand policy that doesn't expect me to miraculously accurately value my entire house.

A low excess. I've never yet claimed on my home insurance because it's never been worthwhile due to the £350 excess. Am not actually sure why I have it at all, it feels like such a rip-off.

UK call centres and being able to amend /update details on line. Oh and sensible renewal quotes!

An online form that starts off with the most likely exclusion criteria, so that if you're not going to offer me insurance, I find out quickly.

I live in a flood risk postcode and renewing is torture because I have to fill in complete quote forms for so many companies before they deign to tell me that they won't insure me. And of course I have to renew from scratch every year.

No price hike if renewing (which is often reduced after a phone call but by then you've pissed me off!)

Mobile phone cover as standard

Clear online list of main exclusions

I wish the premium didn't shoot up after you make a claim!

I generally just look for the cheapest price for the cover I need, would be so much simpler if companies wanted loyalty and so offered the same or reduced policy each year rather than shooting up.

I want it not to go up by stealth. I'm sick of having to change every year to get a fair price.

The understanding that having friends stay in our house when we're away makes it less likely to be burgled, not a massively risky and odd thing to do.

Like Secret's comment above, I worry that any minor claims will result in hugely higher premiums - potentially more than was actually paid to me. Id like to know the impact of claiming in advance so I'd be able to make an informed decision.

Talking to friends in the lakes the disparity of how different insurers have acted is awful! It's certainly made me question just getting the lowest online premium ... So basically, a good service, not a company that try and wriggle out of things in technicalities.

As cheap as possible, with the reassurance that if anything happens things will be dealt with with the minimum of fuss.

UK based call centre with free phone numbers.
The same rate whether you take out the policy online, by post or by phone. Incentives for no claims and a quick response and renumeration without any hassle

good cover, not to be lied too when making a claim / making it difficult to claim, NCB, clear laid out process - no hidden clauses

The best price regardless of which avenue you go down to get your policy.

Better incentives for loyal customers.

Protected No Claims bonus.
Simple policy that is upfront.
The person on the phone does the work, guiding you to the best policy as they know what you need.
01 numbers, speak to a person.
Staff who are on your side and well trained to keep notes etc and help you through the process.
i don't want to have to go through some convoluted process to get a good price. Reward loyalty, car provided if accident happens.

Reminders to get oil done, etc. Get more involved on helping girls with maintenance. We get such a bum deal with mechanics unless you stubble across a good one.

to cover full replacement of lost goods and not to penalise folk for having few but expensive possessions rather than lots but inexpensive stuff!

Fair system, easy to phone and quick to get through (UK call centre), any claims dealt with at speed, easy to apply for, easy to read forms (ie simple with no jargon or hidden terms!)

I want to be certain that we are protected and have the cover we need.