I am a Customer Relations Manager for Norwich Union

[beccus]

Hi Trojan, thanks for the comments I should like (if you don't mind) to pass on the compliment to birmingham.

Becca

[Trojan1401]

No problem - they will already know though as there are a few large mutual clients who have significant dealings.

[Brumie]

Originally Posted by beccus

Hi Brumie,

Originally Posted by beccus

I've just had a chat with one of my colleagues in the claims team and we will be able to investigate this for you, it may be that the difference takes into account the age of the van (but i can't be 100% sure without looking at specifics), it may also be possible for you to negotiate the figure - again this is just a thought.

When you get back we'll talk further and we can get someone in the claims team to look into this properly and explain what is going on and to see what we can do.

Becca

Thanks Becca,
But I would have thought your colleagues already knew about the vanguard policy that Norwich Union underwrite (there are only two types of cover 1) Market value 2) new for old) as I have already mentioned we have taken out the new for old cover, so we were expecting to replace the van with a brand new identical or equivalent model, the costs incurred for removal replacing and re-installing the van are also covered and should be added to the cost of the new van, so it states in the policy wording, after obtaining quotes for this we find ourselves with a shortfall of £10k. We have contacted the insurers to “negotiate” and were told that “you will only get the sum insured, & the re-sitting cost will come out of this figure also”!

can you advise as to the best course of action regarding the failure of the indexed linked figure/sum insured, meeting the cost of replacing our caravan with a new for old, as that is what we paid our premiums for and that is what we were expecting.

Regards
Brumie

[beccus]

Hi Brumie
Sorry I have not got back to yoou sooner, I don't think there is a problem knowing about the insurance, just needing to look at specifics - it is often easier to understand what is going on when we can look at a policy directly.

Becca

[smarts]

Originally Posted by beccus

There are a lot of issues in this thread, let me try and address those that relate to us and try and clarify from our end.

Firstly it is important that I state now NU does not condone 'dubious business practices'. There areinstances in the past in which we stopped using suppliers whose performance was not up to standard. I'm confident that we'll do so again in the future if necessary. We have a large supplier management team within NU, and part of their job is to monitor the performance of these suppliers.They take customer feedback about our suppliers very seriously and they do act on it.Where a pattern of poor performance does appear our first course of action is towork with our suppliers to identify causes and put these right. If this fails to resolve the problem then as already mentioned we will end the relationship.

In terms of DAS legal expenses, they are one of several companies we use to provide legal expenses cover for our policyholders.DAS are a significant player in this market. If their performance is bad we want and need to know why and how. You will appreciate that it is difficult to act unless information is both specific and detailed. I am also unaware of any significant pattern of complaints or poor performance against DAS at this time.

It's a hard for me to make comment on a number of the other allegations that have been made since they are wide ranging in nature.Clearly I'm unlikely to agree with comments such as 'there are no ethics where money is concerned', or that 'Norwich Union will use the business relationship to make unsubstantiated allegations to managers'. This is absolutely not my experience and there are certainly no policies or procedures in place instructing staff to behave in this way. I think any attempt to instill such practices would quickly become public knowledge as well as cause a strong reaction among staff.

I'm also not in any way pretending that everything is a bed of roses in terms of the service that customer receive either from NU or our suppliers. Of course both NU and our suppliers let our customers down occasionally and it's a source of deep embarrassment to me and the people I work with when this happens.It's also the case that sometimes our responses to customer complaints is not what it should be. This is one of the reasons why NU has started to take part in on-line conversations on this and other forums. We want customers to know that we do care, and we want to spot service failure wherever it exists so that we can fix it. Rome wasn't built in a day - but we are getting much better at this and most of our customers say that they are happy with the service we provide to them. Most customers is not good enough though and our aim is for all our customers to say that they've been treated fairly by us.

I'm not surprised that there is some cynicism about my role in on-line conversations. The challenge for me and my colleagues is to prove that we are sincere in what we're trying to do. I guess the proof will come from how we respond to the comments that people post about us, and the tone of what these comments might say. I am fully committed to doing my bit to help our customers and I have many colleagues who feel the same.

I hope that this has answered all the key points that have been made. If there are further specific problems then please do let me know about them so that I can become involved.

Becca

I am able to back up the claims made with evidence if necessary.

[patrickq1]

i think this is good for customer relations and poss a way of nipping any sort of complaint in the bud before it gets to a legal stage,i for one have been a n/u customer for 30 years had a few claims including ppi ,and i for one cant say enough about n/u about hoe fast and eficient they have acted ,i may be just one of many but this is a good thread and possibly it may continue well lets hope so ,i cannot see the banks doing this because of lack of transparency in their dealings with everyone,so keep up the good work becca
patrickq1

[beccus]

smarts:
If you want to send me details i'd be happy to investigate, as I said in my message, we need to know about these things in order make informed decisions. If you could email me details (rebecca.sibley@norwich-union.co.uk) I would be grateful.

patrickg1:
Thank you for your lovely comments, and I'm glad that you have had such a good history with us! Its nice to hear from the people that have been around for a long time and intend to stay that way!
We plan to be on this thread, and also online helping customers as long as we can
You've certainly put a smile on the faces of the people in my office this morning.

Take Care all
Becca

[Brumie]

Originally Posted by beccus

Hi Brumie
Sorry I have not got back to yoou sooner, I don't think there is a problem knowing about the insurance, just needing to look at specifics - it is often easier to understand what is going on when we can look at a policy directly.

Becca

Hi Becca,

I sent you an email with the policy number yesterday, could you confirm you have received it.

cheers
Brumie.

[beccus]

Originally Posted by Brumie

Hi Becca,

I sent you an email with the policy number yesterday, could you confirm you have received it.

cheers
Brumie.

Hi Brumie, yes I did recieve it but was out of the office yesterday, will get on that this morning.

Becca

[patrickq1]

Originally Posted by beccus

Hi Caro
Firstly I'm so sorry you've had such a rotten time, my heart truly goes out to people who have suffered with the floods.

As you've already stated its difficult for me to give advice on any other companies, my only suggestion is if you have no joy with the loss adjusters/contractors directly (although keep on at them as they should tell you things) go to your insurance company and ask them to intervene.

I also double checked for you, but Loss Adjusters do not give their reports to customers, they are purely between themselves and the insurance company.

I'm sorry i can't say more, I hope you get this sorted out, good luck with the clean up.

Becca

its a matter of confidentiality for N U but you are free to get your own loss adjuster but if you do make sure it isnt the same company.but it will cost you when you get your settlement,but this is negotiable

[caro]

Thanks for the advice Patrick. Someone else suggested this too, but I'm not sure if it's too late now as all our things have now been disposed of. We're still a long way from everything being settled though, and work is yet to start on repairs. Considering we were flooded in the middle of June it's amazing how little progress we've made, but we hope work may start in the next 2 or 3 weeks.

[patrickq1]

its never too late its your home you have the ultimate authority to have things put back to what you expect and its for your benifit not for the insurance co,this is your life and sometimes when it is in the control of others you feel you are being ignored,so take control of your situation...i know it feels its not proper but it is you are the one who lives their ...so dont worry they wont be offended and if they are then you know they are trying to control you....patrickq1

[patrickq1]

i have written this from experiance during the north wales floods,and i have horror stories you would nt beleive this is why i recomend you use a individual loss adjuster and they can add their cost towards the insurance co not you....we had the floods in the FEB and did not move into our home till that xmas after a long protracted legal dispute with a certain insurance co ,this is what opened our eyes..in effect i felt as though i was dealing with the ballifs you get the same feelings that you will be getting trampled on and TOLD this is what you get...think again dont accept anything less that what you deserve and this is what you paid for in any eventuallity you insured yourself for such events your entitlement is all you are asking even though they might like to make it feel they are doing you a favour,the loss adjusters appointed by the insurance co should really be paying more attention to the quality of the work being done not to the costs of the work
patrickq1
and my personal feelings is RSA are the worst company ever

[ldpool]

Rebecca
I am in a very awkward position at this moment. I tried an email to you earlier today.
What is the position If I am currently under a possible redundancy, and I have no real cover from my current mortgage provider (Apparently)
And My real Question is can I legally purchase cover from either the current provider or not.!
I have not been given any details other that I am being considered. Have been employed here for some 12 years and have (Income protection which I thought would cover me)
Please reply ASAP.
Thank you

	What are your rights at work Follow this link to read the review of the Guide to your Rights at work, published by Lawpack

[beccus]

ldpool
apologies, i did not get your email and I'm so sorry that you are having to undergo this horrible stressful decision, As far as I am aware (and I will double check on this asap for you as am out of the office this afternoon but wanted to reply asap) if you are at risk of redundancy this is counted as a pre existing issue and therefore would be excluded.

As I say, I will double check as soon as possible.
Thinking of you
Becca

	What are your rights at work Follow this link to read the review of the Guide to your Rights at work, published by Lawpack

[ldpool]

Rebecca
Thank you for your prompt reply.

I await your return and only hope that, I do not fall fowl of the situation.

Please understand I above all do not like people taking others for a ride or advantage of situations, but I am so unsure at this time and feel mentally sick at the thought of letting my family down.
I can not allow it to happen.

[beccus]

Originally Posted by ldpool

Rebecca
Thank you for your prompt reply.

I await your return and only hope that, I do not fall fowl of the situation.

Please understand I above all do not like people taking others for a ride or advantage of situations, but I am so unsure at this time and feel mentally sick at the thought of letting my family down.
I can not allow it to happen.

I certainly do understand ldpool, its a horrid situation and my heart goes out to you, i'll be in the office in an hour or so and will be double checking for you.

Becca

[Brumie]

Originally Posted by Brumie

Hi Becca,
Can you advise on the best course of action to take regarding the following problem:-

We have a static caravan that has been affected by the recent flooding.

The assessor has contacted us to advise that is has been written off and requires replacing, the caravan is covered by the VANGUARD new for old policy protected by Index linking (or so we were led to believe!)

The van is a fairly high spec Willerby that is no longer in production, having taken professional advise and inspecting various vans ourselves and consulting the glass's guide the equivalent replacement is the Willerby Aspen MK5.

The Insurers are informing us that the maximum payout is the Index linked sum insured, This sum is £10k short of the quotations we have obtained to replace the van with like for like new for old on the same pitch at the same site.

I do understand the clause about sum insured, but as the policy is "protected" by Index linking I would assume that the sum insured,(calculated by the insurers) is the actual cost of replacing the caravan, due to the fact they have to work out all the cost involved and set the premium accordingly, otherwise the premium for replacing our caravan on a new for old basis is merely a guess, and I should have done all the assessing myself and have it underwritten myself and not pay the insurers for the service they purported to provide.

Are we as consumers expected to obtain quotations to carry out all repairs in every eventuality every time we take out an insurance policy?? Or do we use the services of a reputable insurance provider!

There are a number of other insurers on the site and they have covered all the costs involved replacing Identical vans. We have found out that our premium £450 is way above the premium paid to the other insurance that have settled the claims new for old like for like.

So having paid over the odds for over a decade we are left with a shortfall of £10k, hope you can advise.

Brumie.

(Counting the bricks on my house as we speak, just in case.........)

Originally Posted by beccus

Thanks for your comment, apologies I haven't got back to you sooner but I will get this looked into for you this week.

Are you happy to send me some more details to my email address: rebecca.sibley@norwich-union.co.uk and I will be able to look specifically at your policy and the claim with my colleagues in claims.

Thanks
Becca

Originally Posted by Brumie

Hi Becca,

Thanks for your response, I am more than happy to supply you with any info you require, the only additional information as far as I can see, would be the policy number & address along with the names of the broker & assessor along with a copy of his letter to us, Please advise as to any further info you require.
As they say timing is everything..... I am off to Greece for a fortnight as of this evening, so I'll forward the details upon my return, in the meantime could you post a reply with the current info, and I’ll read it from Greece.
Best regards,
Brumie.

Originally Posted by beccus

I think the only additional info I will need will be policy number, but will investigate further in the next couple of days (in meetings all afternoon).

Have a fab time in Greece!!

Becca

Originally Posted by beccus

I've just had a chat with one of my colleagues in the claims team and we will be able to investigate this for you, it may be that the difference takes into account the age of the van (but i can't be 100% sure without looking at specifics), it may also be possible for you to negotiate the figure - again this is just a thought.

When you get back we'll talk further and we can get someone in the claims team to look into this properly and explain what is going on and to see what we can do.

Becca

Originally Posted by Brumie

Thanks Becca,
But I would have thought your colleagues already knew about the vanguard policy that Norwich Union underwrite (there are only two types of cover 1) Market value 2) new for old) as I have already mentioned we have taken out the new for old cover, so we were expecting to replace the van with a brand new identical or equivalent model, the costs incurred for removal replacing and re-installing the van are also covered and should be added to the cost of the new van, so it states in the policy wording, after obtaining quotes for this we find ourselves with a shortfall of £10k. We have contacted the insurers to “negotiate” and were told that “you will only get the sum insured, & the re-sitting cost will come out of this figure also”!
can you advise as to the best course of action regarding the failure of the indexed linked figure/sum insured, meeting the cost of replacing our caravan with a new for old, as that is what we paid our premiums for and that is what we were expecting.

Regards
Brumie

Originally Posted by beccus

Sorry I have not got back to yoou sooner, I don't think there is a problem knowing about the insurance, just needing to look at specifics - it is often easier to understand what is going on when we can look at a policy directly.

Becca

Originally Posted by Brumie

I sent you an email with the policy number yesterday, could you confirm you have received it.
cheers
Brumie.

Originally Posted by beccus

Hi Brumie, yes I did recieve it but was out of the office yesterday, will get on that this morning.

Hi Becca,

Any news? As I have a meeting with the site manager, Wedneday P.M.

Regards

Brumie.

[ldpool]

Originally Posted by beccus

I certainly do understand ldpool, its a horrid situation and my heart goes out to you, i'll be in the office in an hour or so and will be double checking for you.

Becca

CAN YOU PLEASE give me a clear reply.
Thanks again Becca

Regards

[beccus]

ldpool
I'm sorry its taken me so long... what I said was correct I'm afraid, that if you applied for cover whilst under threat of redundancy it would be classed as pre existing. I hope this answers your question.

My suggestion would be to go to your current supplier and ask them what you are covered for exactly, go back through your policy documents. I'm sorry i can't be more constructive, I'll certainly be keeping my fingers crossed for you. Please let me know what happens with your job.

Becca

	What are your rights at work Follow this link to read the review of the Guide to your Rights at work, published by Lawpack