Can Privilege Insurance do this???

Thechiefy

I recently put a claim in to Privilege for my lounge carpet which I stained.

I was told that they work with Independent Inspections Ltd.

All was going fine until I was told when I called them to query the amount they had given me a voucher for.

It seemed to be missing £40 over and above my excess - They tell me the carpet company have included the following costs in their quote which they do not pay for - Furniture Lifting of £15 and Uplift and Disposal which is £25.00.

Surely this is part of the process and the insurance company should pay it?

Thanks for your help!!!

TighterThanTwoCoatsOfPain

I could understand why they wouldnt pay for moving your furniture.. They arent to know how much stuff you have so cant be expected to cover no matter what. Every time i have had a new carpet, the carpet company have made it clear that I will be expected to have the rooms empty, or as near as can be.

Its perhaps a bit harsh to not cover the disposal of the old though.

dogbot

Regards the uplift and disposal, assuming this was for the uplifting and disposal of the old and damaged carpet, and that you are covered on a new for old basis (which it sounds like given they have sent someone out to fit a new one!) then the disposal is part of the reinstatement costs so it should be covered. The exception may be if the insurer has something in the terms and conditions excluding this.

Perhaps you could call and say you with to make an expression of dissatisfaction or a complaint about this charge and for them to explain and reconsider their decision, since this charge is really part of replacing the carpet. Doing this should ensure they take some action since they have to log this as a complaint. Be sure to make it clear what you are asking them to do and the reasons for this.

Regards the other charge, I have never bought a carpet so couldn't comment if this is standard practice. If the company fitting it did not tell you it would make a charge for that particular 'service' then charged you any way, then I think there is an argument that this is not a valid charge. There would not have been legal understanding or agreement on your part for that term of the contract if they did not make reasonable efforts to draw it to your attention. (It could have been on something they gave you in writing and advised you to read, in which case that was probably sufficient).

sarahg1969

I bet it's something the carpet fitters only put on the bill when they're doing insurance claims. Money for nothing.

dacouch

Carpet fitters are generally self employed and charge the carpet retailer a set amount. There prices assume the room has no furniture in it so they can just rip the old carpet and fit the new carpet.

The Insurers can charge you for it as if you had new carpets fitted privately you would probably be charged the removal fee.

What you could do is find out what the carpet company are charging Privalege and then speak to a local carpet company and explain the situation. Ask them to beat Privaledges quote and to knock off the removal fee. You will probably find they will be more than happy to do this it the current economic climate. (You should be aware that if you do this Privaledge will probably make the cheque payable to the carpet retailler as they tend not to like giving policyholders "cash).

The other alternative is I work as a broker and often the "Proper" Insurers will waive the charge if I the customer is elderly and I ring up and speak nicely to the right person. So if this applies to you it can be worth ringing up and asking very nicely if they would waive it

I hope this helps