Tesco Home insurance Rip off?

ducklet_2

Just phoned up Tesco to put in a claim for roof damage that occurred last night-was told that they cannot classify it as a gale as the wind speed was 45mph and not 50 although the rainfall (12cm)was enough for galeforce weather. Metal joining my roof at the very top has been ripped off with the wind! Do all insurers do this i didn't see anything in there policy classifying 'what a storm is'-anyone got any ideas?Its only going to get worse:-s

MarkyMarkD

The only genuine defence an insurer has against a claim of this nature is that the damage was due to wear and tear, rather than an insured event. The fact that the measured wind speed at a local Met Office station was 45mph is only an indication of what it was at your house - and if it was within 5 mph of a pre-defined limit that's pretty darned close.

If you are confident that the roof was in good order prior to the incident, and that it was genuinely storm damage, then write to them again in the form of a formal complaint - with a quote for the repair (or a copy of an invoice for the repair if you've already had it fixed). If they refuse to accept your claim, ask for a deadlock letter so that you can refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

marble

That sounds an awful excuse for not accepting a claim. Definitely follow this up. Does the policy state that you are only covered for galeforce winds as measured by a local met office?

Given the met office isn't in your back garden (I assume), there is no reasonable reason why the winds weren't above 50mph at your house.

Do as MarkyMarkD suggested and phone Tesco and ask for information on how to make a complaint. Firstly, the will probably refer you to their own complaints department, but if you get no further with them, go to the ombudsman.

Al

losgiganteskid

ducklet wrote:

Just phoned up Tesco to put in a claim for roof damage that occurred last night-was told that they cannot classify it as a gale as the wind speed was 45mph and not 50 although the rainfall (12cm)was enough for galeforce weather. Metal joining my roof at the very top has been ripped off with the wind! Do all insurers do this i didn't see anything in there policy classifying 'what a storm is'-anyone got any ideas?Its only going to get worse:-s

Ducklet - i've never heard to much tosh in my life _ unless you have bought a rock bottom duff policy from Tesco (which I doubt) the speed of the wind plays not one iota in determining whether or not you have a claim- storm damage is storm damage. You do need to be mindful that pre existing or damage caused as a result of a defect (pre storm) ain't going to be covere

Good old Tesco, they might be ok at selling the odd jar of gerkins, but when it comes to insurance - it just makes me giggle !!