Don't get caught out by these home insurance T&Cs
Reading the small print on home insurance policies is a tiresome but necessary task. Moneywise TV reveals the 10 terms that can easily catch you out.
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I have a dispute with my insurance company over a leaking pipe in the shower which caused damage to the lower tiles.
The insurer has stated that the cost of tracing and repairing the leak (taking the shower out and possible replacement of the shower tray) is not covered.
I phoned them and asked why this is not covered as it is not offered as an optional extra and more importantly, is not covered in the exclusions. They could not give me a reason and I have now complained in writing.
I have also heard from others who have had similar claims involving leaking pipes, refused.
Are you aware of this type of insurance problem?
I have had exactly that problem - however after much discussion about it they have agreed to pay for the cost. But they have now informed me that if the wood under the floor in the bathroom is rotten due to the leak the cost of the fix is down to me and not them. (Yet they have said they will pay for the cost of subsequent damage.)
The insurance company is stalling on your claim. Get quotes from repair companies to fix the problem and use that as leverage against them. ANY water leak is covered in ALL policies. You can't discriminate as to where or why the leak occurred.
What if it had been the washing machine connector to the mains??? Would they say its the water boards fault?
One useful piece of advice... Make sure you get an EXPERT assessment on the damage and the insurance company would have to accept this without question.
We made a claim on our buidling and cotents insurance, as sadly, we were burgled, and they took absolutely everything, right down to our alarm clock.
12 weeks later, the underwriters have said they are not paying any part of our claim, and they are cancelling our policy with immediate effect.
We have been left totally dumfounded. Not only have we experienced a devastating trauma, now we can not replace any of our belongings.
Not only that, I can not get any new policy, as we have now had a policy cancelled by the insurer.
does anyone have any advice, please? It honestly feels like we have been burgled all over again, not that we'd had chance to replace anything.
Am totally crushed.
I had water damage through my lounge ceiling earlier this year. The insurance co sent their surveyor (I had the leak tracing clause) who then sent their plumber saying it was a problem with a bathroom above, and he fixed a small leak from bath. The insurance then paid out for redecorating the lounge below. However, on 5 June water was pouring into the lounge again, same place but ten times worse., and I found it was coming through the bedroom above. Eventually contacted the surveyor who is supposed to be inspecting, but he says that now it sounds like a roof problem and this would not be covered, and the tracing of leaks clause would not apply.
To further complicate things, although the second leak occurred during the current insurance year, I had already arranged and paid for the next year's insurance with another company (as always trying to keep expenses down).
Has anybody any advice as to what I do?
They must have given you a reason for not paying the claim- what was it? Perhaps you didn't make full disclosure on your proposal; maybe the house wasn't locked up; there must be a reason!
NFU might be a good insurer PROVIDED you live in the country. They will not Insure London Postal Codes. Which is a shame if they are as good as you say!!