From: "Doug Ramage" 
Newsgroups: uk.finance
Subject: Re: Every been refused insurance?
Date: Sun, 4 Apr 2004 17:01:11 +0100


"Jacob Rosse"  wrote in message
news:3fb35d9f54a37bbec1d5dbb3b3d8e1e3@news.1usenet.com...
> Most insurance companies seem to ask this and expect an answer.  Isnt it
> rather un-specific though.  I have recently been refused home insurance
with
> esure because they reckon that the postcode has a history of subsidence.
I
> have since had a structural engineers report on the property which says
> there is no subsidence and that the postcode is very low risk for it.  I
> have been ringing other insurers and declaring that I have had insurance
> refused and they are telling me it makes no difference because their
system
> show no history of subsidence at the postcode.  Do I really need to
declare
> this every time? Do I need to declare it when I want motor insurance and
> they ask have I ever had insurance declined?  What about if it was for a
> different house?  Is this going to stick with me for the rest of my life?
I
> really wish I had never rang esure now!
>
>

I had a similar problem a few years ago when I was buying a house in Putney
(South London). My structural survey indicated a possibility of subsidence
in the area, which I mentioned to my insurance company - who promptly
refused cover, which stalled the mortgage.

All other insurers also refused cover and refused to even send anybody to
check the property itself.

Luckily, the impasse was resolved, fortuitously, at a dinner where another
Building Society manager was happy to stick it on their block policy.

Perhaps things have changed now?

IMHO, it is not relevant to motor insurance but still possibly for buildings
cover on the same property.
--
Doug Ramage