lovemoney Awards 2013: best insurers
Which companies picked up the plaudits for their insurance services this year?
For many of us, insurance is a necessary evil, with much cynicism about both cost and claims being paid out.
So this category of the lovemoney Awards is a particularly interesting one, as it specifically highlights those who offer both value for money and a good experience for those who unfortunately have had to claim.
This year we added a new section for private medical insurers.
So here are 2013’s best insurers, as voted for by you.
Best private medical insurer
Winner: Westfield Health
Runners-up: PruHealth and Beneden
Westfield Health was the runaway winner here, topping the poll for value for money, being easy and straightforward to deal with and providing good customer service. It also came runner-up for claims handling. Westfield is a not-for-profit organisation and has won several awards for its health cash plans.
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Best life insurer
Winner: Co-operative Insurance
Runners-up: NatWest and Tesco
Victory for the first time for Co-operative Insurance, which dethroned last year's winner NatWest. It was voted the best insurer for being easy and straightforward, and in the top three for value for money. Tesco was voted best for value for money, while Engage came top for customer service.
Best home insurer
Winner: Marks & Spencer
Runners-up: NFU Mutual and Prudential
M&S won the honours for both value for money and claims handling here, beating last year's winner NFU Mutual into second place. NFU was voted top for customer service though.
Best travel insurer
Winner: Sainsbury's Bank
Runners-up: Nationwide and Lloyds Bank/TSB
Lots of different names popped up in this category but Sainsbury's Bank stood out, winning most plaudits for being easy and straightforward and for good customer service. Nationwide also performed strongly in these sections. The Lloyds Bank/TSB former partnership topped the poll for claims handling, while Staysure was voted best value for money.
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Best car insurer
Winner: Co-operative Insurance
Runners-up: MoreThan and NFU Mutual
Another victory for the Co-op, leaving last year's winner NFU Mutual in second place. The Co-op received the most positive votes for claims handling and came second for value for money, behind Ageas. MoreThan also scored highly for value for money and claims handling, while NFU Mutual picked up plaudits for the way it deals with its customers.
See if you can save on your car insurance
More on insurance:
Which insurances do you really need?
The true cost of not shopping around for car and home insurance
25 ways to cut your car insurance
How to pay less for private medical insurance
How to get the best life insurance policy
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