Ripped carpet- insurance claim

confirmer

Hi,

The whole of the upstairs and the living room in our house are all carpeted the same (bathroom, hall, kitchen all tiled). Our lovely but bouncy dog decided to rip the carpet a few months ago and every time we go out he has ripped it some more, so now there is a 1metre rip and a whole where he has torn a piece off. This is on the landing and it obviously needs replacing, but i am wondering if anyone has any advice about insurance claims. The carpeted area is all the same type of carpet which over the last two years have faded, slightly worn etc, so a new carpet would not match the rest of the carpet in the house. From past experience would the insurance company be prepared to fit a new carpet/flooring throughout the house or pay for most of it or would they just do that particular area? Also once a claim is put through does it normally have any effect on your next years insurance fees? Unsure as when filling in quotes can't remember if they ask you if you have made any claims like they do with car insurance.
Thanks

dacouch

You may have a problem as most Insurers do not cover damage caused by pets so the damage may not be covered anyway. Who are you insured with and we can check for you

With regard to whether they would carpet the who house or not, Insurers will normally only pay for the room that has the carpet damaged, they will sometimes pay for the carpet or contribute towards it if the rooms do not have doors dividing them eg they have a type of arch etc seperating them.

If you make a claim you will lose some or all of your no claims bonus, which will normally put your premium up by between 10% and 20% ish. It will have a reducing effect over (Normally) the next three renewals. If you have further claims then the increases will go up much more.

P.S If you one of these "Free Contents" deals eg More Than then your premium will go up much more as if you put a claim in you do not qualify for the "Free Contents" cover with More Than anymore (Although you could probably transfer to a different company whose increase in premium would be less).

I hope this makes sense

Nikkei

Thanks dacouch,

we're insured with the AA for home and contents, as it is the landing would they cover the stairs? all bedrooms and the living room have door seperating them so guess they wouldn't be covered with what you've said. Not sure whether it would be worth us just buying a new carpet or get them to do it either. thanks

dacouch

This is an extract from the AA Contents Policy which states scratching by pets is not covered so I think you will struggle getting the claim paid.

If they do cover it, they will probably try and just replace the landing carpet but if you complain politely but firmly you may get them to replace the stair carpet.



What is not insured
Loss or damage caused by:
■ insects, parasites, or vermin;
■ fungus or mildew;
■ atmospheric or climatic conditions, frost or the action of light;
■ alterations, repairs, maintenance, restoration, dismantling or
renovating;
■ any process of cleaning, drying, dyeing, heating or washing;
■ chewing, scratching, tearing or fouling by pets;

Little_Chris

I own a flooring business and deal with lots of carpet insurance claims.
Normally the insurance company will only replace damaged carpet up to a doorway. For instance, if you have the same carpet fitted everywhere upstairs and you damage the main bedroom carpet, they will only change the main bedroom carpet. If however it's the landing that's damaged, it's normal practice to replace the stairs and hall as well. Now the bad bit.... Most carpet claims are dealt with by a company called Independent Inspections. They work on behalf of the insurance company and it's their job to establish a replacement cost. If approved, they'll give you a list of preferred retailers that will accept your 'replacement mandate'. These retailers have to give a 15% discount to Independent Inspections when they submit their invoice so many try to give the customer a lesser quality carpet to offset this. Incidentally, you don't have to stick to a retailer on the list. You can use any company that accepts Independent Inspections mandates. Good luck with your claim.

NIJINSKY_3

How can retailers "try to offer you a cheaper carpet " to offset the 15% they pay indepenedent inspections. The carpet prices are clearly marked instore and the mandate is just like a gift voucher so u pay the price advertised in store ???

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

haha so your "dog" has ripped the carpet in a small area which needs the best part of your house to be recarpetted at the insurers cost.

Yups they will believe you

uktyler

surely fitting a new carpet will just give your dog something else to rip?

Errata

Claim on your pet insurance. If you have it, it covers you for damage caused by the pet.

Rolandtheroadie

When our dog done this some 5 years ago, we got rid of the dog. We didnt have the time to take care of a dog and he done it whenever left alone. Carpets still ripped but behind a bed now.

We claimed on our contents policy a few years back for our suite due to a chemical burn on the 3 seater. All they would replace was the 3 seater (old for new policy, accidental damage) leaving us without a matching suite. "luckily" the company that were given the job of replacing the suite were generous and replaced both and claimed we'd only got the 3 seater (really honest of them).

jicms

scotsman4th wrote: »

When our dog done this some 5 years ago, we got rid of the dog. We didnt have the time to take care of a dog and he done it whenever left alone. Carpets still ripped but behind a bed now.

Nice Scotsman! Lucky escape for the poor dog (unless he put it down of course).