direct line home not insured shock

Insco

If you have accidental damage cover then this would most likely be covered as long as the collapse is sudden and unforeseen ( although it does depend on your Insurers definition of accidental damage, if any). Check your policy schedule carefully and your policy wording for any definitions - if you have cover for accidental damage contact your Insurers again. If the collapse has been caused by an escape of water ( should be readily apparent as the plaster will be sodden) again depending on the policy wording, it is possible this should be covered.

FlameCloud

You'd seriously be pushing this one. It is clearly wear and tear, (as you well know this type of ceiling will eventually come down).

Somerset

Mine came down in a previous flat 20 years ago. I thought the bloke upstairs MUST have had a leak or something, although no wetness. Anyway got a surveyor to have a look - diagnosis - old age. Mine even had horse-hair in it. I didn't even try to make a claim, I knew they'd refuse it.

Insco

Your comments are highly irresponsible unless of course you have a copy of Rose's policy and have inspected the damage and identified the cause - which of course I very much doubt.

Rose you need to check your policy cover carefull and avoid the knee-jerk comments that you are not covered.

The FOS is a testimony to the fact that many times Insurers are not right in their decisions

FlameCloud

Apologies, I assumed it would be the standard Direct Line policy available on the net. If it is not, I retract my statement.

It is down to the insured to prove that they have suffered a loss, not the other way around.

Insco

Therein in is the major problem. You assume without being in possession of the full facts. A snapshot judgment that the matter is simply not covered is not reasonable or impartial.

If Rose has a Direct Line policy ( which may not be the current one if she has been insured for years with them) and has opted for the accidental damage extension in cover then depending on the definition of accidental damage this claim could well be covered and you are doing her a disservice. Thousands of people as Rose has already found out would be covered for this damage under their policies.

FlameCloud

'Thousands of people?' Care to substantiate that? I cannot imagine a single current policy that would cover the damage under AD.

Insco

Read Sue's comments on her findings of Insurers that would deal.

dave_behave

Some people are so naive.

These other insurers have probably been asked "do you cover lathe & plaster ceilings?". Their short answer is "Yes." Their long answer is "Yes, for insured perils, not wear and tear/old age which all home insurance policies exclude. p.s lathe and plaster ceilings are known to fail due to age."

Until you prove that the ceiling didn't just fall down due to it's age, it ain't gonna be covered!

Oscar_The_Grouch

Good point Dave.

Insco, thanks for your posts on this but you can't turn round to people on the one hand and say "you aren't in receipt of the full facts" and then "thousands of people" on the other!!

With regard to your "Read Sue's comments on her findings of insurers that would deal", please refer to my post commencing "Regardless of whether..." as well as Dave's post above.

I don't think you have managed to substantiate your position as requested by Flame. I too would be interested in seeing your thousands of lath and plaster claims that have been paid under AD.