Disturbance Allowance

Derby2

I was wondering if anyone could help me. Last October our house was flooded from a Severn Trent Water water main, resulting in the living room and kitchen being damaged. Since then work has been on-going to get us dry and we have been living upstairs. We contacted our insurers about disturbance allowance and they have rejected it on the basis that the house is habitable as we have a kitchen and bathroom.

However, Severn Trent's Loss Adjuster has told us, in writing, that many insurers agree a payment when a claimant has to live in a house under difficult circumstances and that they would consider a reasonable claim submitted under the category. Our insurers are still refusing to budge though.

Has anyone any advise on where I can go from here? Can I submit a claim for half my mortgage based on half my house being unsuable? It seems so harsh that we can spend Christmas and 3 months living upstairs and not receive any payment whatsoever for it, all on something that is not our fault.

geri1965_2

I don't think your own insurers are under any obligation to pay this, but you could claim for inconvenience from Severn Trent - it seems as if they are inviting you to do this. It won't be a great deal of money though, so don't get your hopes up too high.