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

replacement of items, without having to provide receipts

The usual refrain with insurance companies ignore : decent renewal prices which reward and don't penalise customer loyalty, so that we don't have to go through the rigmarole of price comparisons every year and seeing your current company offering better rates to new customers.

Policies which understand that in Scotland, flats can be freehold and that you jointly own the fabric of the building (and ground it is on) with the other owners.

easy to understand. No gimmicks. UK call centres.

Low premiums and excess charges

Easy to understand policy
Cover for the important items
Building cover which is enough to rebuild the house not inflated cover and charges ie £100,000,000 cover when the house would cost £250,000 to rebuild,£250,000 contents cover when there is no way you have that much stuff.
No increase when it's property stolen/damaged and it's not your fault,I had lead stolen from a porch and it cost £650 to replace,my policy went up and up.

Written in simple terms and more of a package

loyalty discount
tailored to my needs
free helpline if things go wrong and my own choice of tradesperson to fix issue and bill insurance
competitive pricing

A no claims discount, and low cost for people like me who have never claimed. Easy to read terms and clauses. Our toddler broke our tv just before Christmas and it was cheaper to go out and buy a new tv than to claim on the insurance, even though we have accidental damage cover. That can't be right surely?!

I'd like it to competitive. Some companies don't seem to care that they give the same level of cover for twice the price as other companies.
If you are going to renew with the same company, it would be nice to get a discount or an incentive for doing this.

Also, I'd appreciate plain English. Insurance language can be so ambiguous and I think that's on purpose. I want to know what I'm covered for and exactly what I would need to do and what will happen in the event of a claim.

A straightforward, easy to understand policy without a tonne of small print or complicated terms and conditions around excess etc. A free phone number to a UK call centre.

Competitive price
Easy access to call centre ( free telephone or standard rate no expensive charges)
Someone who knows how to help without being pasted endlessly around
Breakdown cover
Decent rate for all customers not just new customers._

A straightforward policy that provides what it appears to say that it provides not expects you to produce receipts for items bought years ago.

Insurance premiums that don't go up every year in the hope that you are too lazy/busy to look elsewhere.

Not putting premiums up just because you call them to ask a question.

Legal expenses insurance that actually insures legal expenses, not requires you to instruct a panel firm that don't answer the phone and appears to be staffed by people with less legal knowledge than me.

Answer calls quickly and have trained staff able to understand the problem and help.

A simple policy that explains to me exactly what I'm entitled to and in what situations.
Help with finding alternative accommodation if needed, and sourcing replacement items.

price and peace of mind

I'd like an insurance policy that doesn't hike up the prices when I haven't made any claims.

Sensible prices
Transparent policies
Easy to contact, UK staff

Personal possessions cover as standard

Reassurance, that (if the worst was to happen) the company would live up to their word and that the contract was simple.

Easy to understand policy language
Free phone number
No price hikes leading hanging on a phone line every year to negotiate paying the same or less. Value long term customers.

I usually look for a straight forward policy and I make sure I include all the option I need as I believe that home insurance is very important. I also have a contents insurance. I usually choose a well known company for my insurance so I have more peace of mind that in case of claim.

I want a clear, concise and non-ambiguous policy.
A family friendly one that does not hide prices & a loyalty scheme would be great.

low excess fee x

Easy to understand policy. Which covers both home contents. Garage and garden contents too.

Extra cover automatically given at Christmas. Accidental cover to cover large goods.
Handbag contents covered. With a sensible excess.

I have never claimed on my home insurance.

a fair price and a uk call centre

as I've stated for the car insurance thread, I don't want gimmicks, just a reasonable price that doesn't shoot up at the end of a year. Also new for old cover is really vital I've learned the hard way. Earlier this year we broke a TV that was absolutely top of the range when we bought it, it cost about £800 8 years ago, that was a lot of money then. The company I was with offered us £269 and then deducted our excess so we were left with a cheque for about £180, then they put our premiums up from £12 to £30 a month! Absolutely disgusting service. So I would like to see a decent new for old cover plus not making premiums skyrocket if you are unfortunate enough to have to claim! Insurance should be a customer service, not a profit making machine!