Thistle Insurance - Gloucester

Scarlett Tomlinson

My housing association recommended Thistle to us when we moved into our property last May.
We paid our premiums every month, went through a financial rough patch and considered cancelling the policy, what was the chance anything would happen? We did keep the policy, because it was not worth not having it, just in case.
The worst happened. My life was turned upside down. We were the victims of an arson attack. Someone had deliberately attacked my family and blew up our outhouse next to the house. It had damaged the house itself and my car and cars across the street the explosion was so intense. In the midst of the chaos, the confusion and fear for my life and fear for my two year old in the back of my mind I was so grateful I had insurance. I had lost so much, thousands of pounds of stuff destroyed, burnt, disintegrated, covered in glass, impaled with fence posts.
I contacted Thistle, all very concerned for us, we were living in a homeless hostel for over two weeks, then a homeless flat until we could be relocated.
My last correspondence was them saying they were not going to pay a penny. Not one thing. I had paid over £250 of insurance premiums to cover us in case of something horrendous happening. Something horrendous did happen, and Thistle and Ageas that they work with won't pay out. The outhouse and subsequent damage was covered for theft and damage due to theft. Not a malicious attack. So, anyone thinking about taking out insurance whith Thistle, don't. In your darkest hours they will not help you, they will push you further into the darkness, further into despair as bills rack up and laugh and say, sorry, it's not our problem.
I have NEVER felt so let down by a company.

Emma Gibson

Been with Thistle insurance for over 12 months with no claim. I have just cancelled my policy due to moving home and I have been told that I will not be reimbursed any of this months payment which was taken on 1st of the months even though I moved out on the 4th.

Today is the 6th so I have used 5 days worth of this insurance which is paid for 31 days. I have been told that I can not transfer this money to my new address as I no longer reside in a housing association property.

Thistle changed payment takers at one point last year (August time) which resulted in 2 payments being taken from my account which left me in an unarranged overdraft with my bank. To contact them was also very difficult with me being on an hour long call. I have never made a claim so I'm unsure whether it would be as difficult in that situation.

I also feel that their insurance is highly expensive in comparison to most companies. My parents and my sister both pay less than half the monthly amount I was paying for contents AND buildings. I would not recommend Thistle and will not use them again.

Rob Chambers

Will not pay out if you lock your bike up to metal rails with d-lock and another metal lock outside your property if the area is used by your neighbours. Has to be kept inside your flat which is completely impractical if you like on the 2nd floor. Insurance industry living up to it's name as very dishonest and parasitical.

Deb Z

Thistle insurance are extremely judgemental when it comes to spent convictions I had a conviction from 2002 nothing to do with arson or fraud etc but this was through the local council housing service and I got rejected based on this they have not talked to me in person just going off a piece of paper pure judgemental personal company. Don't bother trying to apply if you have previous convictions

paul r

Worst experience ever . This lot are 100% useless as had a boiler leak effecting whooe of ground floor .They sent so many different people to photograph the same damage it became ridiculous and on top of that they had atleast 4 companys involved in the background .

This IS one to avoid unless you want to keep taking time off work for all the different people they send to photograph the same damage.

They DONT respond to emails and rarely call you back.

Still waiting on my GDPR request that they appear to be ignoring and also a response to my complaint...

Jamie clibery

I have only made one claim and it was very quick and easy . Got straight through and I was dealt with brilliantly had the claim payed out quickly too . For me personally ,very happy

Heather McDougall

Submitted a claim for a damaged washing machine over a month ago, chased them up and was assured I’d have a call back in 5 days...still waiting!

Justine Stewart

Haven't made a claim thankfully but all contact has been professional, quick and easy.