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

Reasonable price is obviously something I consider but the most important thing to me is knowing that I'll be covered and receive a good level of service should I need to make a claim. After all that's what I'm paying for at the end of the day.

no frills, but support when you need it. I have never had to claim on house insurance, but some of these comments have opened my eyes! Who would have guessed you had to have receipts for the minutest contents.

When youve had an accident, i want an insurance company that deals with it efficiently and not one you have to constantly chase up to deal with your claim

I like a policy that covers everything, including all my possessions when away from the home. I don't like complicated policies that have lots of exclusions.

I would like to speak to a UK call centre & know that I am going to be able to claim quickly & efficiently should I need too.

accidental damage and stolen bikes included in quote price.

A robust policy from an established insurance provider who genuinely cares about the needs of customers. Similar to others - I feel a UK based call centre is a really important. Friendly staff who have a sound knowledge of the policies - it's awful to feel you are talking to someone who is just reading from a script. It would be great to have a copy of your policy in Laymen's terms - maybe the usual gumph - but beneath, a condensed bullet-pointed version of what is & isn't covered, so you're aware from the outset if anything isn't covered which you want to add on.
It's also really important to me that I have the option to manage my policy online & if I make any changes, I'm not charged an extortionate admin fee.

1. I'd like a uk call centre (and all the above) but more importantly, I'd like to understand the person who answers the phone. Clear english is essential. 2. Last year my policy included (free, as a trial) Home Emergency Cover -and it was a godsend. I am definitely looking for this in future policies.

Every single year I get my renewal notice and have to call them to find out why the loyalty discount has been removed again causing my premium to go up a lot. They add it back on again and my premium goes back down
Every single year......
Why can't they just give me the loyalty discount automatically ?

No mass amounts of small print just clear concise terms of your policy which are easy to understand. Customer service which is helpful and understanding as well as competitive pricing.

No hidden secrets. Low excess and easy to contact

UK call centres and not being passed from pillar to post when you call them. I'd like a low premium and to be offered the same discounts as new customers at renewal time. Also, I don't want any hard sell of home boiler insurance, legal cover etc which I'm not interested in.

I want a really straight forward policy that it easy to understand with easy excess rules. I want reassurance for what I am covered for.

Value for money

I like to make sure we have fully comprehensive cover.

It's really important that there is a fantastic customer service team too should the worst happen. The last thing you'd want in an emergency is being fobbed off by the insurance company.
I'd like to see more straight forward language used and clear and concise information about excesses, which are fair. Information about how claiming actually does affect your policy, without having to guess.
I'd like for loyalty to pay, discounts for loyal customers instead of having to switch to get a discount.
Just general make the service more user friendly and much less confusing to compare the different policies.

Again, competitive pricing. I would also like to be able to speak to someone based in the UK or at least sounds like they're based in the UK.

Some sort of loyalty scheme whereby you're actually given good prices in proportion to how long you've been with them.

No gimmicks, vouchers or anything. I just want a standardised, easily comparable policy at a low price.

Simple language and straightforward policy wording without hundreds of clauses. New for old replacements. Reminders to increase the value of a policy if the price of gold etc goes up rather than claim under insurance applies. Reward loyalty rather than just new business.

Cover at the right price, for existing customers too, I really dislike switching but it's a must nowadays to get a competitive price. UK call centres and uncomplicated policy documents would be fab too.

Simple, straightforward and easy to understand website. List all types of locks with explanations so I recognise what type my door has and don't get confused and worried when filling out application online!

Above all, simplicity, with clear policy wording in layman's terms. I am fed up of not being able to understand reams and reams of jargon. And definitely rewards for loyal, existing customers, not just new customers.

Do you know what the only real criteria is? Price on renewal. If your renewal price you send me matches what my cheapest quote is on a comparison website I will stay loyal. If it hikes up (despite no claims being made ever) then I refuse to renew with you. My current home insurer does this, and I've stayed with them rather than switching, mainly because I am essentially lazy as well as frugal.

Cheap. Straightforward, no hidden loopholes, no small print. Clear, accessible information, clearly signposted website showing levels of insurance, no faff. Excellent customer service.

It would be nice if loyalty was rewarded.

Better no claims discount.

Maybe further / bigger discounts if you have an alarm, windows locks, security light etc.

Free UK call centre open 24 hours

Courteous staff who truly want to help and are on your side.