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Legal, pensions and money

Buildings and Contents Insurance

(10 Posts)
vickymeldrew Tue 04-Jun-24 08:29:49

It’s that time of year again and I am currently looking to renew my buildings and contents insurance.
Like everything else, the price has increased a great deal. I have been using a comparison website and merrily clicked away to what I thought was a reasonable level of cover. However, when I queried contents cover I was advised that I need to have a couple of items of jewellery valued every three years. (Engagement ring and gold bangle) (less than £2000 each).
If I don’t obtain valuation certificates, these items will not be covered.
It appears I may have been merrily paying premiums for the last 40 years without being covered.
Have you been conscientiously renewing your valuations every three years ?

PamelaJ1 Tue 04-Jun-24 08:53:51

No, I haven’t got anything incredibly valuable. Our reasoning is that we would be able to replace any we lost with the money we’ve saved over the years.
I wear a few bits all the time, most of what I have lives in a locked box . If it all goes then so be it. Even if it has sentimental value it’s still lost and can’t be replaced.
My friend had a fire that ruined all her clothes. She only got back the full value of some that she had proof of purchase for.
They were going on a cruise so had just bought a few special items and they were on her credit card statement. She got a small nominal amount for the rest.

GrannyGravy13 Tue 04-Jun-24 09:05:57

It’s always a good idea to have current photographs of all your jewellery, along with any ornaments etc., when I lost an item recently I had to trawl through endless photographs and ask friends to do so also 😱

Georgesgran Tue 04-Jun-24 09:11:57

Yes - I think it was M&S who years ago wanted a valuation of my ring and I’ve had it done again this year for Halifax. It cost £50 at Goldsmiths (the valuation!), Although my watch is valuable, it’s a current model, so that’s enough for insurance and of course I have all the boxes and documents.
A tip is to take a photograph of yourself wearing your insurance items.

Georgesgran Tue 04-Jun-24 09:13:01

Didn’t realize those pics would post!! That’s not my experience ring.

Georgesgran Tue 04-Jun-24 09:14:33

Experience??? Expensive!!
Think I should go back to bed!

Aveline Tue 04-Jun-24 09:17:20

It's really worth shopping around for contents insurance. Go beyond comparison sites. They are commercial enterprises and mine your data as you fill it all in. We found a much better and more comprehensive policy after phoning around and discussing with an agent.

Allsorts Thu 13-Jun-24 05:09:16

Where do you start Aveline. My insurance quote from the company I’ve been with 10 years has gone up 60%, when I rang to query I was told it was across the board. I went on to two comparison sites and have had repeated cold calls ranging from boiler replacement to getting my drive done, these are obviously from these sire, I am now concerned at all the information I put on the form and no nearer getting cover. Plus how on earth do I know rebuilding costs, what they suggest is nearly half of the selling price.

Katyj Thu 13-Jun-24 07:51:02

Hi I renewed mine yesterday. We’ve been with Saga five years but this year the premium has nearly doubled. I rang them and by increasing my excess on building and contents he was able to reduce it by £50
I’ve stuck with them as it seems a good policy compared to some others I looked at. They insure valuables up to 2.5k automatically without valuations.

Aveline Thu 13-Jun-24 08:46:12

Allsorts we started by phoning an insurance agent. She made a huge difference. I don't know how they do it and make a living but we ended up with more and better cover at a significant reduction in the premium.
These online sites only cover big companies and are really only to get your particulars and to sell on your email address etc.