NFU thatch 'Survey'

[tobydog]

Approximately two weeks ago I received a letter from NFU advising me that they were carrying out a survey on thatched properties insured through them and asked if I would complete the attached form. It was to do with the increase in thatch fires linked to wood burners. I had some concerns about the form and left it until I got back from holiday yesterday. In that time I was sent a reminder advising me that I needed to complete and return the survey.

What concerns me most it that this is more than just a survey. It's more like an application form. NFU thanked me for my time and said they would respond with their recommedations and 'requirements' :? . Has anyone else received one of these?

We have only recently renewed the insurance and I sense some goal post moving might be coming, at least for next renewal, when / if I send the form in because we fall short in a few areas where it would be difficult / expensive to change.

 

[88v8]

I'm insured through County Insurance Brokers, who I would thoroughly recommend. Very helpful when we bought the house but weren't immediately going to occupy it, something that seemed to be a red line for many insurers, let alone the fact of being thatched.
Renewal approaches, and I've received a questionnaire asking me to repeat much info which is already on their records. One becomes paranoid about this sort of thing, hopefully nothing sinister in the offing. There is no particular focus on the woodburner, which we discussed to death last year.

Unfortunately, having foolishly failed to keep a copy of the prop, I'm struggling to recall what I did tell them.... at least all our interaction (as they say) was by letter or email, none of this telephone nonsense where one has no real record at all.

Ivor

 

[middi]

Don't worry too much about what you have told them, they are not interested in that.
They have probably " sold" on all the information you have given them and now every firm in the country will be piling junk mail through your letter box trying to sell you something you have no use for.

Middi

 

[tobydog]

88v8 - actually the survey I received didn't specifically refer to wood burners but NFU have been banging on about them being the major cause of the fires for some time now so to be honest I just assumed that's what it was. Looks like I will need to complete it. I seem to recall that in the spirit of Upmost Good Faith (and with me working in the insurance industry) I did tell them the truth.

 

[Bayliss]

I gave up on NFU a few years back after I found a insurer offering the same cover for about 25% less premium.

 

[Feltwell]

We tried to get a quote from NFU this time round after all their good feedback on here - they don't do quotes online, which is a pain, so we booked them to call us. They didn't bother so we went elsewhere.

 

[Bayliss]

We tried to get a quote from NFU this time round after all their good feedback on here - they don't do quotes online, which is a pain, so we booked them to call us. They didn't bother so we went elsewhere.

Makes me wonder if they are no longer wanting to insure thatched properties, last time I had a conversation they said thatch fires were costing the Company a fortune and the premiums had rose to 'rebuild the claims pot'.

 

[Feltwell]

My house isn't thatched though - Victorian, red brick with a tiled roof - bog standard construction for the era really, and what should be a low risk.

 

[Ushy M]

Our thatched cottage is insured through NFU and is up for renewal - premium has shot up! We will shop around and report back if anyone's interested. Are you prepared to divulge who you're insured with Bayliss?

Also a bit fed up with some numptyish phone conversations with NFU recently when we wanted to add a stable block to our house insurance: NFU chap: "How many bedrooms has it got?" Me: "None, it's a stable". Him: "How many bathrooms has it got?" Me: "None, its' a stable" Him: "Has it got central heating?" etc etc. :roll:

 

[Flyfisher]

We're with NFU but our premiums have also shot up (without any recent claims) so I for one would be interested in how you get on looking around.

However, I didn't have any problems with them when including our outbuildings on the policy - you may have been unlucky with who you spoke to. I've always found them very helpful and easy to deal with . . . except when writing this year's cheque.

 

[Bayliss]

Our thatched cottage is insured through NFU and is up for renewal - premium has shot up! We will shop around and report back if anyone's interested. Are you prepared to divulge who you're insured with Bayliss?

Also a bit fed up with some numptyish phone conversations with NFU recently when we wanted to add a stable block to our house insurance: NFU chap: "How many bedrooms has it got?" Me: "None, it's a stable". Him: "How many bathrooms has it got?" Me: "None, its' a stable" Him: "Has it got central heating?" etc etc. :roll:

Ushy M, We are insured through 'Simply Thatched' (tel : 01787 880338) they are a small broker and offer personal service. Insurance is underwritten by 'Groupama'. Co-incidently we had a minor problem with water coming through our living room ceiling on Tuesday. We phoned 6the claims number and they advised us to turn off the water and contact plumber to repair the fault. We would have to pay for the actual repair whilst the insurance would pay for fault finding and associated work to that + damage sustained to be repaired or replaced. As it turns out the damage was less than I first panic thought and we cancelled the claim.
This is the second year we have insured through the Company, no complaints and competitive.

 

[88v8]

We are insured through County
http://www.county-insurance.co.uk/
who renewed our thatched house & woodburner with about 5% premium increase. Their risk carrier is also Group Ama.
Worth a try. Found them very helpful.

Ivor