Quick update - finally after much persistance on our part, the new insurance brokers and agreed to initiate a new policy for me from today for the next 12 months, free of charge, and will refund me any difference from the amount I paid initally to a new quote. Very fair and I am happy with that.
On another note, there are at least 3 people I know of who has various claims (house damage, water damage) etc during the cold spell. All three insured with them, two of whom have been iformed that NO policy exists. One family stuck with a bill for over 7k for repairs. Thankfull I got away lightly, there are many more in a worse position.
Is there any avenue open to these people? e.g can they sue the person who ran the original brokers, took their money and did not follow through on processing their policies, directly?