BTL Insurance refusals after fire damage claim?

BTL Insurance refusals after fire damage claim?

6:07 AM, 2nd May 2022, About 2 years ago 6

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Does anyone have the same issues with insurers as I have? My insurance company has refused to renew my policy and every broker I have contacted since then comes back with the same reply – The Underwriters are unable to cover me.

The problem is a result of a fire in my property in October 2019. The property was extensively damaged and the total claim came to approx. £181k.

I renewed my policy with the same company – Simple Landlord Insurance in May 2020 and again in May 2021 – obviously with a vastly increased premium. As I was on the point of renewing in April this year I queried the rebuilding costs on the new policy.

I now noticed that I was dealing with Swinton’s Insurance who had taken on the Simple Landlord policies. I was taken through a variety of questions including whether I had made a claim in the last five years. I answered truthfully and was told that they would have to contact the underwriters before renewing. I heard nothing for a couple of weeks and when I rang them again they said they were unable to find an underwriter to take on my policy.

I have tried various Insurance Brokers and the same reply comes back to me. Because of the nature of my claim in 2019 they cannot find underwriters to insure me.

Surely other landlords have been in a similar position with fire damage and what have they been able to do?

At the moment it appears that I will have a Buy to Let property with a professional couple living there and with no Insurance Cover.

Perhaps someone can offer help.

Roger


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Comments

Rob Crawford

14:11 PM, 2nd May 2022, About 2 years ago

"Because of the nature of my claim in 2019 they cannot find underwriters to insure me." So is there anything else to add that expands on the nature of you claim already explained? I can 9nly suggest you keep ringing around. Maybe checkout landlord insurance brokers Alan Boswell & Metcalfs. Also try NFU.

Jane Tomlin

8:19 AM, 3rd May 2022, About 2 years ago

We had a fire in one of our properties in August last year. Presently the property is undergoing repair and the bill should be around the £159k mark. It is still insured with Axa but we are hoping to sell as soon as it is refurbished. We have, however, had to sell another BTL, with vacant possession, in the meantime and even though it is in another county the insurance for 'an empty property' went from £15 (landlord insurance) to £65 pcm due to the fact that we had made a claim on another 'commercial property'. We used Simply Business who I found to be very professional.

Jason McClean - The Home Insurer

10:54 AM, 3rd May 2022, About 2 years ago

Hi Roger
If the fire claim is ongoing, then you will struggle to get a new insurer to take it on. Any further claims will potentially end up in contested liability - was the damage existing or prior?
In these cases it is best to stay with your existing insurer until the claim is complete. If they are not offering you renewal, then we may be able to get terms elsewhere but the price scale will be totally different to what you were paying previously; you will need a specialist policy.
If the claim is settled, then I'm surprised you are struggling to get cover. Maybe there is something to do with the circumstances that is putting underwriters off?
Either way, if you would like to chat it through or try us for a quote, always happy to help a Property 118 reader - please call 01832-735388.

Roger Bridgeman

11:25 AM, 3rd May 2022, About 2 years ago

After trying 7 different Internet comparison sites which all turned me down, I have finally succeeded in getting cover from LV. Thanks to all for taking the effort to reply. Roger

Blodwyn

14:11 PM, 3rd May 2022, About 2 years ago

All the above are asking what were the circumstances of the fire that are putting underwriters off offering new terms? Anything from an 'innocent but careless' dropped cigarette end to arson?
You must be absolutely open with the underwriters to enable them to assess thr true value of the Risk you are asking them to take on.

mastweiler@gmail.com

14:06 PM, 7th May 2022, About 2 years ago

The Association of British Insurers will try to find you an insurer who will take on tricky cases. I was referred to them to find a new insurer when the old one declined to continue insuring during major building work. The new insurer was far cheaper than the old one!

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