Comments on: Insurance – what a scam!

By: Eddie Chapman

Eddie Chapman — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 10:57:07 +0000

I am currently looking at trying to get mains water on our allotment. However, some members are concerned that we may face a huge water bill if the supply had a bad leak either through vandalism or a burst pipe. Is anyone aware of any insurance policy that would cover such an eventuality? Most of the allotment insurances that I have found so far are only pertaining to public liability or personal loss.

Any suggestions greatly received.

By: James

James — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 08:12:48 +0000

Hi,

Sorry again for commenting on old post, but like Marcus I was searching for allotment insurance, discovered this page and felt moved to contribute.

The 6 year case sounds incredible, and I agree it’s a terrible situation, but the old adage ‘You get what you pay for’ is never more true than with insurance, as has already been mentioned. The problem with insurance is you don’t find out what you’ve got until it’s too late.

The idea of self-insurance is also not a terrible one for certain risks, although you have to bear in mind that if you suffer a loss before you’ve built up that cash reserve then you might be left out of pocket.

Also, brokers are not as bad as Will reckons; 80% commission is unheard of! Most brokers get between 10 and 30. And it’s not just money added onto the premium either, because insurers are happy to sacrifice some income for the cost reductions generated by dealing with brokers, who are by definition experts in their field. You also get expert advice without having to pay directly for it. This isn’t the case across the board though, as ‘you get what you pay for’ with brokers as well, and some classes will always be more expensive with a broker than when you deal direct, like home and car insurance.

In the end, insurance is prone to scams and poor products like a lot of industries these days, but it is in principle a _good_ thing. You just have to use your noodle!

Great site by the way!

By: Marcus Harris

Marcus Harris — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 18:57:45 +0000

Ken, I realise this post is old but i had to say something as your comment stood out. It wasn’t a raw nerve mate, you’re just rude! As John said its his site and a bloody good one at that. Very helpful and informative. I did a search for allotment insurance today as people I’m afraid have broken in to my shed and others. stole my petrol mower, hand tools etc. It’s very relative.
Keep up the good work John.

By: chrissie Duffy

chrissie Duffy — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:02:40 +0000

Do I need Allotment insurance? I really must look into this, but 2001 we had a bad house fire and the insurance company were wonderfull same about the builders! Still they got another company to come in and we had 6 weeks in a posh hotel. I found that I had to look at old photos ect to remember what we lost. I became an expert at filling in forms.
I suppose if you take pictures of whatever tools ect be have it may help.

By: Marie Bevan

Marie Bevan — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:22:48 +0000

Thanks for the post about insurance, we are currently battling with our council over the closure of our site due to contaminated soil? soil test originally commissioned
by the council but paid for by developers, so you can guess the real motives!
Any recommendations on ins. companies that cover allotments?
Our council says their ins. co. will only tolerate near to zero contamination levels, so we’re trying to find out a bit more about this dastardly profession, insurance not councils. {easy mistake to make}
Marie Bevan

By: pam

pam — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:45:20 +0000

Hi yes insurance is a gamble but when you keep getting your allotment shed broken into and loosing rotivator/spades etc I am realy thinking about getting insurance as in the long run it will be cheaper

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:27:09 +0000

You have touched on my job and hobby!

I work in insurance and I love horse racing!

Like Will I self insure for a number of things, pet insurance for example. I think your example of the claim shows the bad side of the insurance industry.

The only thing I would add is that if you think gambling is less ‘tricky’ you haven’t met my turf accountant!

By: Ayesha Wilkinson

Ayesha Wilkinson — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:07:06 +0000

Just reading your comments about Allotment Insurance. Unfortunately nowdays the world has gone mad, but more and more councils are recommending that people have their own allotment insurance on their plot. Councils insurance almost always only covers pathways, boundries and fences. The SWCAA (Southwest Counties Allotment Association) is a new not for profit organisation set up to promote and protect our precious allotment sites. As part of our service we offer INDIVIDUALS Pulic and Product Liability Insurance cover for up to 5 million pounds for just £2 per person per year.
A small price for piece of mind in today’s crazy world. If your interested have a look at our website http://www.allotmentssouthwest.org.uk/insurance.htm

By: Ken Chapman

Ken Chapman — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 20:27:11 +0000

John,
Point taken! I just thought you might like some feedback – didn’t realise I had touched a raw nerve.

By: John

John — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 09:25:14 +0000

Totally agree with you Will, insuring risks you can underwrite yourself is rarely sensible.
Ken, this is my site. I pay for it and I’ll put what I like on it. If you don’t want to read something then don’t – there’s always a digest to say what any post is about.
Relevant to allotments? When a parish council (West Monkton)is trying to get the plotholders to buy public liability insurance at £80 pa it’s relevant. When you try and insure the contents of your shed it’s relevant and when we have to pay £40 a year for PLI for our NVS meetings held in a pub or a member’s house it’s relevant.