FAQs
Expert advice you can trust
How do you interact with clients?
We will fit around your needs – at home, in the workplace, or over the phone. Our emphasis is on personal service.
How do you charge clients?
Like all brokers, we receive a commission from the insurer. The commission varies by insurer and the assets/exposures insured.
Are your premiums competitive?
We prefer to talk about the value of the policy and its role in protecting your home and valuable possessions, and the cost of not insuring adequately or having to accept a lower quality replacement/repairer. A high value home or car insured with inadequate limits can be costly mistake. Just as there are Designer Brands or High Street Brands, the same applies to the insurance you buy. The service you receive is often reflective of price. Our primary focus is to ascertain the insurance needs and then find a suitable, quality insurer to protect the assets. If policies are structured well and the right advice sought – better value and service can result. Especially if a portfolio approach is taken.
Which insurers do you use?
The insurer will depend on the risk. Global insurers with good financial strength and Lloyds of London are the go-to markets.
What types of insurance do you offer?
We arrange a wide range of personal and commercial insurance policies, including home insurance, high-net-worth home insurance, listed property insurance, thatched property insurance, landlord insurance, holiday home insurance, unoccupied property insurance, motor insurance, commercial property insurance, and tailored cover for more specialist risks.
Do you only arrange home insurance?
No. While property insurance is a key part of what we do, we can also help with motor insurance, landlord insurance, commercial property, non-standard risks, and bespoke insurance solutions for clients with more complex requirements.
What makes Specialist Insurance Solutions different?
We are an independent insurance broker, which means we are not tied to one insurer. We take the time to understand your individual circumstances and approach a wide range of insurers to find cover that is suitable for your needs.
Can you help if my property is listed, thatched, unusual, or non-standard?
Yes. We specialise in arranging insurance for properties that may be difficult to place, including listed buildings, thatched homes, older properties, properties with previous claims, high-value homes, and other non-standard risks.
Can you insure high-value homes and contents?
Yes. We can arrange high-net-worth home insurance for clients with higher buildings sums insured, valuable contents, jewellery, watches, fine art, collections, and prestige vehicles. These policies can often provide wider cover and higher limits than standard home insurance.
Can you help landlords with multiple properties?
Yes. We can arrange insurance for individual rental properties or landlord portfolios. Where suitable, we may be able to place multiple properties under one policy, helping to simplify administration and potentially reduce overall costs.
Do you offer motor insurance?
Yes. We can arrange motor insurance, including cover for private cars, prestige vehicles, and more specialist motor requirements. We can also look at multi-policy discounts where clients place more than one policy with us.
Can you help if I have had previous claims?
Yes. Previous claims do not automatically mean you cannot get cover, but insurers will usually need more information. We can help present your circumstances clearly to insurers and seek suitable terms where available.
Can you help if I have been declined insurance elsewhere?
Yes. If you have been declined, had cover restricted, or received a very high premium elsewhere, we may still be able to help. We work with a range of insurers, including providers who consider more complex or specialist risks.
Do I need to know the rebuild cost of my property?
Yes, the rebuild cost is very important for buildings insurance. It is not the same as the market value of your home. The rebuild cost should reflect the full cost of rebuilding the property, including materials, labour, professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs. If you are unsure, we can offer guidance, but the final sum insured should be selected by you.
What information do you need to provide a quotation?
This depends on the type of insurance, but we will usually need details about the property, occupancy, construction, security, claims history, sums insured, and any unusual features. For motor insurance, we will need details about the vehicle, drivers, use, claims, convictions and driving history.
Do you charge a fee?
Yes, we may charge broker fees for arranging, renewing, amending or cancelling policies. Any applicable fees will be clearly explained to you before you proceed.
Can I pay monthly?
In many cases, yes. Some insurers or finance providers offer monthly direct debit options, subject to acceptance. Paying monthly may cost more overall than paying annually, and we will explain the payment options available before you proceed.
Are you authorised and regulated?
Yes. Specialist Insurance Solutions is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our FCA registration number is 305502.
Do you compare the whole market?
We approach a wide range of insurers and specialist providers, but we do not guarantee access to every insurer in the market. Our role is to use our experience and insurer relationships to find suitable cover based on your needs.
Is the cheapest policy always the best option?
Not always. Insurance should be about suitable protection, not just the lowest premium. Cheaper policies may have lower limits, higher excesses, more exclusions, or less flexible cover. We will help you understand the options so you can make an informed decision.
Can you review my existing insurance?
Yes. We can review your current insurance arrangements and check whether the cover still appears suitable for your circumstances. This can be particularly useful if your property, contents, business, vehicles or personal circumstances have changed.
How quickly can you arrange cover?
This depends on the complexity of the risk and how quickly we receive the information required. Straightforward policies can often be arranged quickly, while more specialist cases may take longer as insurers may need additional details before offering terms.
What happens if I need to make a claim?
If you need to make a claim, we can guide you through the process and explain what information the insurer is likely to need. Claims are handled by the insurer or their appointed claims team, but we remain available to assist where we can.
How do I get a quote?
You can contact us by phone, email or through our website. Once we have the relevant information, we will approach suitable insurers and come back to you with the options available.
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Get In Touch For Expert Property Insurance Advice
You may already have a broker.
Existing relationships will always be respected, but sometimes a fresh review of needs and a market comparison is of benefit. With strong relationships in the insurance market, a no-cost review may be useful for some – especially if they have changed assets/insurance needs over time. If they are happy with their current insurer, we can transfer to CHIS.
- 02380 736266
- Email:info@sis-ltd.co.uk
- Based in Eastleigh SO50 9PD