Contents Insurance

[meriad]

Lordy me... what a rip off and palaver. It's all totally my own fault, but feeling a bit peeved right now; so curious if you're happy to say that is, how much you pay for contents insurance and who you are insured with.

For the past number of years I've had my contents insurance with Sainsbury's Bank (buildings insurance is sorted by the Leaseholder). Never had a problem but last year the payment for the automatic renewal didn't go through because I had changed my bank card. I had received letters but for some reason was convinced the renewal date was 31st December and I kept putting off updating the card / renewing the policy - so 100% definitely all my own fault. Anyway - on the 31st, I logged onto the portal and realised that the policy actually expired 30th December so rather stupidly (and in a panic because my luck something would go wrong that day), I went ahead and just got a new insurance with Sainsbury's there and then (usually would have done a price comparison) and ended up paying £251 for the year. I did think that was quite expensive, but given the cover had increased from £25,000 to £75,000 (which seems to be the new minimum) I just thought c'est la vie and lesson learned.

Anyway, Friday I received a letter from Sainsbury's Bank saying I needed to contact them urgently; so I called this morning. I apparently had a claim back in 2020 that I hadn't declared. I remember there was a claim for a laptop, but I was sure it was way before 2020 (the chap I spoke to today couldn't confirm what the claim was for, just confirm date and amount paid out) so I thought it was out the "in the last five years have you...." time period and didn't declare it. So, said claim is now added to my insurance, resulting in the annual premium going up by £42 meaning a total annual cost of just under £300.00

So, as said, if you're happy to share how much you pay and who with, I'd be grateful. I did say to the guy that I was going to shop around and then probably cancel the insurance with Sainsbury's and he didn't say I couldn't.....

thanks!

[Workingman]

Ria, I had been with Royal Sun Alliance for contents insurance since I moved in about 19 years ago. Like you the buildings insurance is with my landlord.

Just recently RSA looks to have been taken over by Virgin Money and they sent me an information pack hoping to roll over the policy to include any no-claims bonus (9 years max) as well as raising the cover to £75,000, and that does seem to be the new minimum.

I called them on the phone for clearer details and to sort out some things not covered in their acceptance form. The upshot is that for a six room, one bedroom flat, plus central hallway, the package is £124.06p that I paid in full (£138 by DD). The cover is very comprehensive and all things are in there - washing machine, fridge-freezer, laptops, TV and so on.

Now, I might have got it cheaper because it was a roll-over of an existing policy, but on looking round it was by far the cheapest. In your shoes I would blitz the Internet. I find that getting a list of, in this case insurers, and then going direct is cheaper than using comparison sites that take a cut. Good luck.

[Kaz]

We're with the AA, it's about £340pa

[cruiser2]

Mine is with Zurich Insurance. Arranged through Sky Protect. Renewal is 1st June 2025

I paid £238.92 for Buidings and contents insurance including Home Emergency Cover.

I check the cover, sums insured and costat each renewal. I have changed insurance companies each year for several years as the existing insurer wanted
to increase the price.

Hope this helps.