MANN Countrywide (part of Countrywide Assured)

Advantages: Erm... they didn't smell too bad
Disadvantages: Takes advantage of the first time buyer! never calls - see below for rest of story...

...emotions to get a quick sale. Lee also managed to sell us "Countrywide Assured" buildings and contents insurance, even though the buildings insurance is included in the maintanence charges for the flat - we've only just found out, 2 years later - all that money wasted :`( And they never phone when they say they will - ever! I'll never again use them to buy or sell a property, and advise all first time buyers to take someone who has been through this process before when viewing properties/speaking to estate agents etc... and if they are told something which seems too good to be true, like wooden flooring, ask for it in writing!!! Then at least you have proof to complain if you need to....

kung-fu-jams 15.01.2004 · Read review
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Review of Countrywide Assured

A miracle, i can assure you

Advantages: It successfuly stops excessive sweating
Disadvantages: Can cause skin irritation

...and itching, but was successfully sorted two nights after (I didn't put on the solution the next night, but the night after. The sweating was still controlled). Be careful to use this sparingly, as it's very strong and can put you through agony if too much is applied, as i unfortunately found a week after use. I'm now as happy, and confident as ever and i'm able to wear whatever i like without the constant worry and concern. A miracle, i can assure you....

strawberry.shortcake 10.08.2008 (11.08.2008) · Read review
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Review of Driclor

Assured domination

Advantages: Very entertaining to watch
Disadvantages: Odds will be very short on an Australian series win

...of Test Cricket that this has happened, and Australia have been the losing side on all three occasions!), and then Singh helped bowl India to another victory in the deciding Test. The Aussies are now in England for the Ashes series, and have warmed up for the triangular Natwest series in uninspiring form - a lacklustre performance against Middlesex, which they lost and then a lucky tie against Northants, who really should have scored the winning run. However they showed their true electrifying form in destroying the Pakistan side that had destoryed England two days before, with Ricky Ponting, a man whose Test place is still not assured, battering 70* in 68 balls, with Mark Waugh supporting him, as Australia won with 5 overs to spare in the end. Then against England, they came through to win in the last over with Ponting having made 102...

Morgenhund 08.10.2000 (11.06.2001) · Read review
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Review of Australia

Windsor Life

Advantages: trouble free investments
Disadvantages: not managed by company

...Introduction: I have been a customer of Windsor Life for about 15 years so I thought it might be useful for me to share my experiences with you. I took out a private pension and a long term Additional Wealth Plan with them shortly after buying my home. A little background on Windsor Life: Windsor Life Assurance was purchased in 2004 by Swiss Re Group, which has been a well known insurer to other insurance companies since 1860. Its headquarters in the UK are in Telford and has managed more than 75 million in funds under management. It specialises in investments be they lump sum, regular savings, life insurance or pensions. When I took out my policies it was with General Portfolio, however they then changed name to GAN and then were taken over or sold to Windsor Life. My good experiences with the company: I have been...

limara111 06.09.2008 · Read review
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Review of Windsor Life Assurance Co Ltd

Pru-ve me right: My first experience of insurance

Advantages: Award-winning customer service, freephone number for quotes/sales, optional breakdown cover, good quote
Disadvantages: No interest-free payment plans, not free to phone them when you are a customer

...pondered and phoned the seven that I had whittled down from my very long list of potential insurers. I did this on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. I settled for Prudential in the end (on Thursday of this week, the day I bought the car) because their quote, whilst not the cheapest (that was Norwich Union Direct, closely followed by Tesco), coupled with the friendly customer service, made me feel comfortable and assured. I am a great believer in going with your gut instinct. Likewise, I believe that you get what you pay for, so don't necessarily go for the cheapest. The Prudential have been handling our financial affairs since 1848, and that surely stands for something. Although over 25, I am a learner driver (long story!) and holder of a provisional licence only. The Ka is fairly cheap to insure, of course, but I found that, as it has been...

moo-cow 30.10.2005 (20.11.2005) · Read review
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Review of Prudential Assurance Co Ltd

Pru-mental

Advantages: None
Disadvantages: Long claims process, treat Customers as liars

...to the Ombudsman. I also consulted a Solicitor who asked me to wait a few weeks, to see what result the Ombudsman got. The ombudsman sent me a form to complete, to confirm that their information was correct. They then wrote to Prudential, giving them 28 days to reply. Their findings were staggering. Prudential had no evidence on which the base their investigations of us. They admitted they had treated us badly yet despite assurances from the Police that evidence of a break in was apparent, decided to waste everyone's time anyway by conducting an investigation. We received a letter of apology from Prudential in September 2002, advising that our claim was in the process of being settled and we would hear from them within a week. 7 days later I received a call at work from them, advising that our claim had indeed been settled...

jayandfoo 22.07.2005 · Read review
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Review of Prudential Assurance Co Ltd

I just hope I don't have to claim !!

Advantages: fast quotes - helpful staff - easy to read paperwork
Disadvantages: hidden costs and loadings to premiums - time to process - poor knowledge of medical underwriting

...When I finally took the plunge and bought my own place my mortgage provider kindly provided a quote based on what is known as Fixed Level Term Assurance - this effectively meant that I paid a fixed premium every month for 25 years and if I died they would pay off a fixed amount of £200,000 that would clear any outstanding mortgage debt. At age 29 with high mortgage payments the monthly premium of £14.50 was simply too much and I decided to do some investigation work to try and reduce this amount and if possible incorporate some critical illness cover (but that is another story). My first port of call was the internet where I made a note of a few insurers and then did an online quote via a broker. I input my details which without going into excessive details are: Personal: 29, Male, smoker in good health with above average blood...

ladyboymondaytofriday 26.03.2006 · Read review
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Review of Legal & General Assurance Society Ltd

Changed Days

Advantages: Quality Sales Staff
Disadvantages: Not always the best return

...I was brought up with the insurance man calling every week to my parents house to collect their insurance premiums. These days it's a financial advisor with the latest Laptop connected to the world! Well, technology may have changed, regulations on Life assurance selling may have been tightened but the man from the Brittanic Ass. remains. Although I now only see him every few years when he calls it is like a distant relation come for a visit. OK, he wants to sell a product, but there is no hard sell - not to me anyway. On a recent visit, he advised against endowments for savings plans, although I had just received a healthy return on a 20 year policy. Bonds are the investment vehicle favoured these days. The 'advisor' spent time explaining the pros and cons and at no time did I feel under pressure. I wish all sales people were...

mcfarlane 09.08.2000 · Read review
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Review of Brittanic Assurance

Pays to shop around

Advantages: Uses your post code to determine cover
Disadvantages: The calculation for insuring cover

...I joined Countrywide Assured Insurance Services back in July 1999. At the time I was a first time buyer and was looking for a competitive home contents rate to cover me for the first year. I had never heard of countrywide Assured but chose them because I had arranged my mortgage through one of their independent mortgage representatives and wanted something less complicated while I sorted myself out. Their home contents insurance is arranged by Guardian Insurance and is designed for people looking for contents cover at a competitive price, which was just what I needed. In order to get cover from Countrywide Assured you have to qualify all 6 requirements. These are: You require contents cover only for your home Your postcode area is where minimum security is required The home is self-contained The home is not lent, or sublet...

Lorriee 02.08.2001 · Read review
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Review of Countrywide Assured Plc

Don't go and die on me yet!

Advantages: professional service, wide range of products, reasonable premiums
Disadvantages: none

...of quotes and I will just here point out that we did not go for the cheapest option, we elected to take our 25 year policy out with Barclays as we have both got accounts with them and both have never had any reason to question their standards or professionalism. The cheapest options available were what is known as decreasing term assurance where the lump sum payable on death decreases each year in line with the outstanding mortgage debt. This meant that if one of us died straight away £172,000 would be payable, but if one of us died in 24 years, the likely lump sum would be only £10,000-£15,000. We opted to go for level term assurance so the lump sum payable would remain at £172,000 for the entire 25 year term. It works out more expensive, but if one of us dies in 15 years, there is a nice lump sum available to assist with funeral costs...

belgian.waffle 23.04.2007 · Read review
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Review of Barclays Life Assurance Co Ltd