thanks for that info, i am just glad that the problem was resolved at an early stage.

good news is that the company contacted me this morning and said that they had reviewed the endorsments and would remove the need for an intruder alarm to be fitted to the residence. this was after i had sent a letter of complaint to customer services. i have heard that complaints that end up before the ombudsman cost the company hundreds of pounds. does anyone know if there is any truth in this ?

thanks, as i thought. will try shopping around.

when my renewal letter arrived recently there were two new endorsements 'due to the recent theft'. one of these endorsements was that a burglar alarm must be fitted to the residence. the theft referred to was of a mobile phone stolen from my daughter away from home, my other daughter also had her phone stolen away from home in the last year. when i rang the company and pointed out that an intruder alarm at home would not have prevented either of these incidents they agreed but remained adamant that the endorsements would be enforced. when i contacted another insurance company they said that they would insist on exactly the same conditions being on the policy. the quote for an intruder alarm is £705, a sum that i could not hope to afford. i have started a complaint procedure against the company but would like to know if anyone could offer any advice.