Absolutely Gutted - Iron Fallen on Carpet.

jasmin10

I have never had to make a contents insurance so need some help please.

Whilst ironing in the lounge my 3 yr old decided to go tearing round on a hopper and caught the leg of the ironing board knocking it off onto the floor, so it now has a lovely burn.

The worse thing is it's not even a year old and even still have the receipts for it. I'm so gutted it cost over a grand and hubbies going to go spare.

Would this sort of thing be covered on my insurance and what do I need to do?

Quentin

You need to get your policy and check what level of cover you have.

If you think it may be covered under the policy you have, then contact your insurer and make a claim.

lisyloo

Do you have accidental damage cover for contents?
If you do it should be covered.

I know it's difficult to control youngsters, but you might want to stop play near hot appliances.
This could have been so much worse if your child had been hit by the iron, both in terms of the burn and the fact that it's quite a heavy item.

Bear in mind though that your premiums will go up in future so this may well cost you hundred of pounds even if youa re insured.
You might want to consider other options, such as a rug if it's in an appropriate place.

*MF*

Hi ...

Quentin is correct - but what do you look for in the policy?

Most contents insurance policies start with what could be called basic cover - where you are insured against specific events, a fire, a storm, theft - each type of cover will be listed - and any exclusions.

Those types of policies also (in some ways perhaps confusingly) include "accidental damage" - BUT - only in respect of accidental damage to certain specified items, such as a TV, DVD - but not carpets.

However, most insurers also issue cover which includes accidental damage which would apply to most of the contents in a house - this wider cover would imho include the incident you have described.

So the question is did you choose that wider cover (it is always more expensive) - and that is what you should look for - or as Quentin has suggested contact whoever you arranged the insurance with.

Hope this helps ...

jasmin10

I do have accidental cover.

I was stood next to the ironing board when it happened I had bent down to pick a shirt up. She knows that she's not allowed near the end of the board where the iron sits - she had caught the opposite end and made it rock.

I will give them a call and make some enquiries about it, although not sure if it's worth it if it's going to put premiums up.

Quentin

Bear in mind that once you contact them, then the incident will be logged against your record, and could influence next year's premium even if this doesn't end up as a claim. And you will have to declare the loss to future insurers for a number of years.

Make sure you want to claim before speaking to them about it.

quietheart

This happened to me about 6 months ago so I know how you feel:mad:
At least your daughter is ok - keep reminding yourself of that!
It's good that you have receipts. We didn't and got the most pathetic replacement quote so we decided not to pursue it, also our excess was £100.... bit of a farce.
Even though they knew about it they took it off our records and our premiums didn't increase.
You should be covered for the value you paid minus the excess.
Good luck, worse things happen at sea!

lisyloo

Yes investigate other options first.

Can furniture be re-arranged?
Could you get a rug?
Could if be repaired? If the carpet has a loose pile it might be possible to put another piece in. If it's a very short pile then that might not work as it will be too obvious.

Otherwise this is what insurance is for.
Unfortunately there are excesses and increased premiums for a few years, but if it's a grand then it's probably worth claiming. Just don't expect it to be cost free.

*MF*

How you decide this might also depend on where the burn is - nothing to do with the insurance aspects - i think the posts you have had cover what to look for and the downsides.

But on a purely practical level - if say, the burn is in a corner not central in the room (or just maybe - even if it is) - here is how to patch a carpet:

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-do-a-carpet-patch

Maybe not perfect, I know, but it is one other option, and offered purely on that basis.