Worst Buy: Experience with a Finnish Insurance Company

For many years I have been using Pohjola as my personal insurance company for all my vehicles and also my home insurance.

By God's grace, they have been very prompt in handling all my claims. They did go out of their way to see that the claims were handled correctly. This was especially so when they did not have any really good English speakers on their staff.

I remember when my iMac computer got fried due to a power out. They just asked me to buy a new one and I got my eMac which is still going strong. I paid just about € 100 for this new machine.

When Annikki's white scooter got stolen, the claim was handled promptly and I got almost 90% of the value as the speedometer had just clocked less than 500 kms. And they did not even ask for proof as the scooter had been burnt by some kids and the police had identified it from the number plate which was found at the side of the scooter.

I have had a couple of unfortunate accidents in the car and the compensation was paid without any questions.

In contrast, we have had insurance from IF for Raantel Oy, our serviced apartment company.

Without doubt,  IF must be the worst insurance company in Finland. 

They have a very expensive advertisement on TV telling us how they beautifully handle claims.

In my exoperience, IF is a company composed of liars and cheats. The ordinary employee is trained to lie and write false reports!

Strong words, but unfortunately true.

They try to find ways and clauses how not to pay legitimate claims.

In the last case, a pipe from the dishwasher to the exit broke.

According to their terms this is explicitly covered. I should have received loss of income as two apartments had to be vacated.

They sent me a decision which makes no sense as they declined responsibility even though the claim was absolutely legitimate. And they expect me to appeal!

They did not send any person to see the damage or even look at the report from the evaluation company, which said exactly how the leakage had taken place along with photographs showing the hole in the damaged pipe.

I will be lodging my complaint with the Finnish Consumer Organisation, changing my insurance to another company as soon as possible, and publicising their behaviour as widely as possible and exposing the false advertising and unhelpful attitude of the IF Insurance Company.

Hence, in my estimation, the insurance company IF gets my Finland Worst Buy label.

You have been warned.