Insurance claim or not ?

DarkApproach

Hi just wanting some advice, Kier (Council contractors) came to repair a blocked sink, whilst nailing back the plaster board wall they managed to put a nail into the water pipe. This has caused damage to my personal property mainly my TV. I would just like to know am I entitled to get this replaced new for old ? or will they offer current value ? I am insured for such events but am not really willing to claim as this will affect my own premiums or should I just make the claim on the insurance ? I have already told them I dont want to make the claim on my insurance as this will affect future premiums.

dacouch

If you claim directly from Kier they will not pay you on a "New for old" basis as legally they are not obliged to. The law just requires them to put compensate you for your actual losses, so they will pay you the current value of the tv taking into account "Wear and Tear" (Indemnity).

If you claim from your Insurance, you probably have "New for old" cover so should get a new current equivalent tv. However you will have to contibute your excess and your premium at renewal may increase. You can attempt to recover your excess from Kier and once / if you do this then your Insurers will normally not increase your renewal or if they have already increased it they normally refund all or part of the extra you paid.