Norwich Union (CGNU)

I am writing this opinion in a state of shock, not at how useless and slow this company is, (which is the usual scenario), but how fast, efficient and friendly they are.

I have had my buildings and contents insurance with NU Direct for the past couple of years. I shopped around a little and found them to be the cheapest for the level of cover I need (£32 per month for a 4 bedroomed house).

I have had insurance claims in the past which all seem to run along the same lines, ie., report to police (if theft or loss), request a claim form, fill in with crime number, send off, wait arounds six weeks. Then you will recieve either a replacement or cash value of items claimed. Pretty straightforward, although 6 weeks is not to fast it's a reasonable amount of time to wait.

Enter NU Direct and a plonker of a husband who managed to lose his wallet containing £200.00 the other day.

After bashing him around the head a few times with a vacuum cleaner, he managed to scream out 'Can't we claim on the insurance?'. 'So we can' I thought, so after giving him a few more whacks for good measure I sent him off down the police station to report it.

Meanwhile I phoned the claimline, which luckily is an 0800 number, as I was on hold for over 30 minutes. 'Great', thinks I, another company that takes your money but not your calls.

When they finally answered I gave the girl my details and asked for a claim form. 'We can do that over the phone', she said. 'OK' I thought and gave her the details of the claim. 'Stupid husband was sent on a mission to pay money into bank. Idiot husband leaves wallet in Sainsburys on his way. Plonker husband then realises he has no wallet in bank, goes back to Sainsburys, no wallet. Foolish husband has lost my hard earned cash.' (No, I still haven't forgiven him!)

Imagine my surprise when the next thing she says is, 'Well that seems to be in order, would you like us to pay the money straight into your account for you?'.

After picking myself up from the floor I told her this would be fine, I was then informed my money would be with me within 2 working days! What's even more amazing, it is, I have my money already!

Hats off to NU Direct, I have never in my life dealt with anything so smoothly, I will certainly be staying with this company forever! And with my husband, that's not a bad idea.