Updating post from Reddit.
Just noticed a TV advert for Simply Business and I wanted to let everyone know just how truly terrible they are, these are the 2 main scams they do.
If you go on most comparison sites, you think you are comparing different insurers like with all the other insurance (Car, Home etc) but it is all ran and operated by Simply Business when it says "powered by Simply Business" this means that even like me if you pick AXA you have to deal with Simply Business for your entire claim and that means Simply Terrible Customer Service
It was not until unfortunately I had to claim that I realised they never sent me any documentation just a basic email from Simply Business saying my policy has started.
Why it is not worth Making a Claim with Simply Business
If you cannot be bothered to read below on a £4500 claim they pay out £500 (even though my excess was £250) and this £500 takes 220 hours+ to obtain from them.
My flood flatted I paid for every insurance option they offered every single cover, even terrorism cover I just wanted complete peace of mind.
In total I spent 220 hours on the phone to them trying to claim, they really do everything possible to try and make you not claim.
I am not exaggerating 220 hours I logged all the calls.
When making a claim each department blames the other department and says this department is dealing with it, it seems organised as department 1 blames department 2 who blames department 3 who blames 4 all the way to the 8th department of which you then go back to 1 saying you have spoken to departments 2-8 and they say you. To which the simply business advisors often say well it isn't us then you give up for the day.
When you initially call them you are on hold for 30-60 minutes and then every time they transfer you, you are waiting longer, you will be transferred at least twice every time you call them.
They sent me 48 emails asking for more information. They also interrogated me oh why did you take out insurance etc was ridiculous, you respond then they take 5 working days to come back to you with another question, they drip feed you questions so that you can't get it sorted in one hit.
6 Months Later! Imagine if your house burns down or whatever 6 months to pay out! 220+ hours later (228 to be precise they offer me £500 of my £4500 claim) I picked every single option they offer and they said they don't cover fixtures, fittings, walls or ceilings.
Avoid like the plague I'd put this on trustpilot but Simply Business remove any negative review and note you only see positive reviews from customers who have never had to make a claim!
Their misleading use of reputable insurers logos and how they hide behind comparison sites that are usually reputable is definitely intentional as is refusing to provide me with a copy of my policy, insurance schedule or original quote!
Sorry for your loss, but thank you for naming and shaming
Obviously my fault was not requesting all the documents, copy of quote and policy schedule.
It was the first quote I got and I was busy and just thought will be fine I'm covered.
Never knew an insurance company that never sent documents or deleted quotes and refused to send them.
I'm now with Admiral directly!
Bro this dude is in need of help. Check out his other posts.
Yes it's been a tough 2024 roll on 2025!
Can’t say on claims as never had to make one thankfully . But I got everything emailed to me that I needed. They also gave me a full refund when I realised and insured the same property twice. It has made me think twice come renewal time reading this though.
What a bunch of fuckers. Dispute with the ICO and the financial ombudsman.
Yup I would've made a complaint by hour 10 on the phone with them. You don't have to put up with their shit, it's their job to get it together. Usually the complaints team can knock everyone's heads together and they sort it out. If not, straight to the FOS.
This rant is meaningless without any details on what you’re actually claiming for & the loss details.
You say that “they don’t cover fixtures, fittings, walls or ceilings”. Are you trying to make a contents claim under a buildings policy because, if so, then they’re right?
I had Building including Fixtures and Fittings, Landlord and Contents with them all which cover Accidential, Malicious, Terrorism every type of accident you can think of. My point was I was fully insured and they witheld documentation to prove it and would not show where in my policy all the things I paid for were not covered
Ok, but what were you claiming for?
Make plenty of Facebook posts and write to all property companies and publications. Not every landlord reads Reddit.
Thank you for the heads up.
i noticed last year and posted about it here on a now deleted post, I think what SB are doing is highly anticompetitive.
I did get some recommendations for alternatives brokers that did prove to find cheaper options.
https://www.cowensgroup.co.uk/ found me a competitive deal with Zurich.
Nice one thank you!
I’ve claimed through Simply Business before and they were a nightmare. Moved mine to Direct Line
You just have to log into their website to get all your documents...
Got it thanks! Landlords' fixtures & fittings £50,000, Accidental damage Included, Trace and access £10,000, Legal expenses £50,000.
My dodgy Air Bnb HMO bodge job neighbour flooded my flat when he tried to fix a bath and let the pipe off, I have photographic evidence of this and 2 independent plumbers and his tenants confirm this. He has no home insurance and refuses to pay for damages, he has flooded 8 properties now multiple times and never pays for damages. No idea how to get rid of it this isn't even half the problems he causes.
Fixtures & fittings should cover the fixtures and fittings, accidental damage he didn't intentionally flood my flag, trace and access, they had to cut a hole in the ceiling to drain the water....is this not access? Legal expenses suing his ass to get my money back...does this not cover that?
This isn’t an accidental damage loss so the policy won’t respond in the manner which you’re hoping for. The legal expenses cover isn’t for suing people, it’s more to assist with evictions of tenants etc.
I have been a victim of simply business as well. Won't go into details. Appalling customer service and not a care for your situation. What annoys me more is how they seem to be the back office of multiple big name insurance companies. No transparency
Yes that's where I got duped. I now for Landlord and Business Insurance only go to the insurer direct almost all the comparison sites are run by Simply Business now.
The company is probably massively understaffed as they now have like 90% of the UKs insurance business
They are dog shit and have bought up a lot of comparison sites so you think you are getting a good deal on all of their own massively inflated quotes.
I suggest everyone try direct line for business first for a baseline quote before looking anywhere else.
Thanks for the info. I have a policy with them