Insure with the NFU as many do but does anyone have any companies to recommend? Dad always says its not just about price and he has a point so I'm interested in any companies people get on well with. I really resent the cost of it as we have probably only had 1 claim in 10 years. anybody used towergate who have a tie up with the TFA? TIA
Insurance company recommendations
- Thread starter Flat 10
- Start date
- Location
- south norfolk
You could try Alan Boswell.dont know if Norfolk or uk based but have used them in the past
Nick...
Nick...
Steevo
Member
- Location
- Gloucestershire
Towergate, Farmers & Mercantile and Rural all seem to be good. It's more down to the loss adjusters than the insurance company sometimes though.
As long as you move around reasonably often they will keep prices keen, if not you'll get taken for a ride.
As long as you move around reasonably often they will keep prices keen, if not you'll get taken for a ride.
- Location
- Shropshire
Agree. Farmers and merc use Agrical, as do Bluefin. We always got on well with them when at Bluefin so changing wasn't a giant leap.
Steevo
Member
- Location
- Gloucestershire
I have found Agrical ok in the past too. Only hiccup was when they appointed an engineer who knew even less than I did, but wouldn't admit it and you couldn't speak directly to them. Just luck of the draw on that occasion I think.
- Location
- Stirling
Some good agricultural specialist insurance brokers out there 
Good access to the likes of Rural, Farmweb, BIB, AIUA who all use Agrical Adjusters who are generally very good and knowledgeable.
It's great to have a broker who offers you a main point of contact for your account handling and your claims handling, preferably with an in-house claims team
Good access to the likes of Rural, Farmweb, BIB, AIUA who all use Agrical Adjusters who are generally very good and knowledgeable.
It's great to have a broker who offers you a main point of contact for your account handling and your claims handling, preferably with an in-house claims team
I moved from the Nfu last year - made massive savings - near halved our bill !
Farners mercantile and Pace Ward (they advertise in here) both very sharp quotes
No complaints re changing so far ! Feel foolish for not doing this years ago and will put my business out to 3 quotes every year now going forward
It's a load of rubbish that's talked the quality of cover etc, I had problems with some Nfu claims that really should have been straight forward, all these companies are as bad / good as each other in this respect in reality I reckon so just buy on price
Farners mercantile and Pace Ward (they advertise in here) both very sharp quotes
No complaints re changing so far ! Feel foolish for not doing this years ago and will put my business out to 3 quotes every year now going forward
It's a load of rubbish that's talked the quality of cover etc, I had problems with some Nfu claims that really should have been straight forward, all these companies are as bad / good as each other in this respect in reality I reckon so just buy on price
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- Location
- Stirling
Ideally, you probably shouldn't put your business to market every single year, there are a finite number of agricultural insurers and when they begin to see the same name time and time again, year on year and realise they didn't win the business previously, they are very unlikely to give their sharpest quote but rather spend time on those cases they believe they are likely to win and perhaps haven't seen so regularly.
Better idea is to look at this process every three years, if you have a good broker, they will do this as a matter of course and for the years in between, they will negotiate with the holding insurer to keep your premium as steady as possible.
- Location
- Bedfordshire
I'm with CCG and county insurance, nfu still can't touch them
matthew
Member
- Location
- Cornwall, SW England
Very good for us too - for 15 years. But uncompetitive last year, so broker swopped us to BIB.
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
Same here. Moved to a broker last year, saving 25% on premium. Had a small'ish claim but still got a lower premium still this year. Apparently lots of companies trying to get into ag insurance, which is keeping premiums competitive.
Either use a broker, or shop around yourself every few years, or they will all do the old NFU trick. Loyalty doesn't seem to count for much in insurance these days, unfortunately,
- Location
- Stirling
NIG/Farmweb policy is very good and they're giving us pretty good premiums right now
Steevo
Member
- Location
- Gloucestershire
Not all brokers are great though - they're only as good as the staff. Some just get lazy and rubber stamp the same policy year after year without trying on premiums until you kick up a fuss. May as well do the job yourself on that basis.
NFU not the cheapest but when it goes wrong and it can really go wrong in life NFU are good. Please be careful in going for cheapest quote.
I have used Rural Insurance through a local broker for some years.
Sorry but this is rubbish in my experience
They are all as bad as each other in this respect
How would a long therm Nfu customer know that the nfu were better without basis for comparison
My last few claims with the nfu were anything but "quibble free" despite being really very straight forward
Don't believe the hype !!!
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Plus 1 for Alan Boswell. Call Sean Dugdale
We also felt almost intimidated towards staying with the nfu for so long - when we finally made the big change to a good trusted local broker we never have looked back - well only to count the thousands we have saved over the 20 years or so since.
Had claims - one quite substantial and no problems.
- Location
- Stirling
Agree it's not about the cheapest premium but all being fair, you shouldn't have to pay over the odds to get a good level of service and good cover, that should be the norm. Broadly, all the farm insurers can offer the same levels of cover, you just need to be careful you aren't being given a lower level in order to give the impression of a lower premium only to find out when you make a claim that there is an issue.
There are a lot of good insurers and brokers out there and of course there will be the not so good. You should have a broker or representative that takes the time to understand your risk, to discuss the various covers you need so that you are clear on what you have and to explain all the sums insured, excesses, conditions and warranties etc. Many complaints arise because people don't understand what they are covered for and rarely read policy wordings. One thing is for sure, no insurance policy will cover every single eventuality, otherwise it would be unaffordable. Prudent underwriters assess the risk in order to price it accordingly and will add various conditions to minimise high risks where possible. You and your broker need to ensure the risk is presented in such a way that you are covering yourself to the best possible level. Many don't like to spend too much time on this every year but it's worth it to make sure claims are paid when you make them.
I think many share Clive's view that all insurers, brokers and the like are as bad as each other, being someone who has always worked in insurance you could forgive me for feeling a little defensive
but then again, I've enough experience to understand why people feel the way they do, I've felt that way myself when using various insurers for my home or motor. This is why I like working for a broker, because you're very much fighting for your client to ensure they get what they need. I also spend a great deal of time on insurer relations and trying to negotiate on a number of fronts to get our clients the best service. This could be from obtaining the best handlers to manage our client cases, to bespoke ratings and additional covers. There's a lot more work going on behind the scenes which makes having a broker a valuable asset, it's not just about processing and getting a premium. The major plus is obviously we have access to a panel of insurers, not just one single provider with one set of rates.