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However, one insurer I won't be recommending you bother with is the Nationwide. This isn't because their premiums are high - they are pretty average I suspect - nor because the cover has lots of get-out clauses - the cover is probably pretty average too. It's not even because the claims ... Read review
Advantages: Trusted household name Disadvantages: Hard to get through
We've all been warned now not to accept automatically the offer of insurance from a travel agent when book a holiday, being advised instead to shop around. And that is absolutely the right thing to do.
However, one insurer I won't be recommending you bother with is the Nationwide. This isn't because their premiums are high - they are pretty average I suspect - nor because the cover has lots of get-out clauses - the cover is probably ... ...is problematic - I fully expect that it's as good as anyone else's.
So why am I not recommending them? Because they don't want your money. Or at least that's the impression they give.
I admit that a freephone number is good news - it's been a long time since I last called a company on anything other than a freephone number if I had a choice. But even so, I am not sure that "being busy" is a good excuse for ... more
We've all been warned now not to accept automatically the offer of insurance from a travel agent when book a holiday, being advised instead to shop around. And that is absolutely the right thing to do.
However, one insurer I won't be recommending you bother with is the Nationwide. This isn't because their premiums are high - they are pretty average I suspect - nor because the cover has lots of get-out clauses - the cover is probably pretty average too. It's not even because the claims operation is problematic - I fully expect that it's as good as anyone else's.
So why am I not recommending them? Because they don't want your money. Or at least that's the impression they give.
I admit that a freephone number is good news - it's been a long time since I last called a company on anything other than a freephone number if I had a choice. But even so, I am not sure that "being busy" is a good excuse for keeping you hanging on at the end of a phone line for over 10 mins waiting for the opportunity to become their customer. Quite frankly, who'd bother?
I dare say their website is better, but after my experience trying to get through, I shan't be taking the trouble. Which is a pity, because I'm sure they're perfectly adequate.
However, there are loads of companies like this these days, who seem to have no desire to take your money. And frankly I don't think that consumers should offer it to them if they don't want it.
Incidentally, the title of this op. is "lovely musak" because you'll be able to hear a good deal of their delightful musak if you decide to call. When I called the only lyrics I could hear clearly were "You are close to tears." How apt.
Advantages: Good selection of financial products Disadvantages: If your requesting a transfer don't expect it to be easy
As a loyal Portman BuildingSociety Customer I was a little sceptical as to what to expect when they were bought out by NationwideBuildingSociety.
Nationwide claim they are "Proud to be different", and they certainly are. Although they supply a large number of high interest savings accounts, fixed rate ISA's at a whopping 6.15 percent and great value deals on mortgages I noticed a couple of downfalls as well.
With specialised savings accounts customers are normally issued a passbook to track their investment records. Nationwide's Passbook is dark blue in complexion with the Nationwide logo emblazoned on the front in gold. The pages inside in my opinion are not of very good quality especially compared to the offerings of the Yorkshire BuildingSociety and Britannia. In a passbook I like to be able to clearly see my transactions ...
Advantages: Very friendly staff, always prepared to help Disadvantages: Mistakes happen freqently.
Sorry but I could not think of a witty title, so I left it very simple!
I started banking with the NationwideBuildingSociety around 7 years ago, me and my now husband decided to open a joint account as we had been together a year by then and were ready to settle down. He already had a savings account with them so we decided it would be easier and then we could keep the savings account open as well.
We had to make an appointment as we had to take in documents to prove our identity and a utility bill. Off we went on the day of the appointment fully armed with documents and ready to open our first joint account together, oh if only life could be simple!
Now there are several different accounts you can open with the NationwideBuildingSociety.
Flex Account being the main on although there are basic flex accounts of this if ...
Advantages: over the counter transactions Disadvantages: little reward, especially for long term savers
I joined the NationwideBuildingSociety ( a mutual buildingsociety) in 1973, originally with the prospect of obtainging a mortgage when I got married. I am still a member today. The interest rate I recieve on my account is around 1% (before tax). I also have an account with Direct Line bank (a non - mutual) and obtain almost the same amount in interest from Direct Line for £6 in one account than I do for £100 in Nationwide. Although its not quite comparing like for like, (direct line takes three days to transfer money to my account, and Nationwide is over the counter, it still shows the different interest rate that can be obtained. As a member of Nationwide for almost 30 years I do not consider myself to be a "carpetbagger", but I think it's time for Nationwide to convert to a bank, allowing me to be given a reward for the years ...
