Buildings insurance not cover ceiling falling down?!!!

loup67

Hi,
Last week had a disaster,half of ceiling fell down in our front room which is also where my husband works,luckily there was no-one in there at the time,thank God!
Anyway,called our buildings insurance and was asked if the ceiling was lathe and plaster(which it is as the house is 100 years old)and was then promptly told that they don't cover L & P ceilings as they have a tendency to fall down when they're old!
I couldn't believe that they wouldn't cover it,does anyone know if that is a standard disaster that is not covered?Everyone I have told can't believe it either.Do I need to go to the Ombudsman with this?
Obviously we had to get it repaired immediately and are now redecorating because of the mess but I would be very grateful if anyone can shed any light on where we stand.
Thanks

olly300

What does it say in your policy booklet? Does it say these ceilings are specifically excluded? Did the person from the insurer imply it was due to you not maintaining your property?

Secondly regardless you can't just go to the ombudsman you have to put in a formal complaint to the company - best done by letter with the title "Formal Complaint" and sent to company by recorded delivery.

dacouch

Was there a reason why the ceiling fell down eg a leak or did it just fall down due to it's age?

loup67

Hi,
It just collapsed!No water or pipes above unfotunately,that apparently would have been covered.Having read the booklet it appears accidental damage is covered but dry rot,damp,woodworm,endless list are not!
Is there any point having insurance if they don't cover anything!?
Do you think its worth trying to cancel policy,have only had it since 1st Nov?
Thanks

Quentin

You can cancel your policy, (assuming you haven't made any claims).

Expect to pay a cancellation charge.

dacouch

Insurance covers specific perils eg fire, escape of water and accidental damage etc. If the ceiling just fell down it sounds like its just wear and tear in the same way if your garden wall fell down for no reason.

Insurance does not cover wear and tear as this is seen as the home owners responsibility to maintain the house.

Insco

loup67 wrote: »

Hi,
Last week had a disaster,half of ceiling fell down in our front room which is also where my husband works,luckily there was no-one in there at the time,thank God!
Anyway,called our buildings insurance and was asked if the ceiling was lathe and plaster(which it is as the house is 100 years old)and was then promptly told that they don't cover L & P ceilings as they have a tendency to fall down when they're old!
I couldn't believe that they wouldn't cover it,does anyone know if that is a standard disaster that is not covered?Everyone I have told can't believe it either.Do I need to go to the Ombudsman with this?
Obviously we had to get it repaired immediately and are now redecorating because of the mess but I would be very grateful if anyone can shed any light on where we stand.
Thanks

If you have accidental damage cover, it will cover the cost of the damage caused by the collapse - try calling your Insurers again.

Quentin

Insco wrote: »

If you have accidental damage cover, it will cover the cost of the damage caused by the collapse - try calling your Insurers again.

No.

Accidental cover is for just that - accidents. It doesn't cover you against wear/tear/rot/aging/gradual deterioration etc.

FlameCloud

Quentin wrote: »

No.

Accidental cover is for just that - accidents. It doesn't cover you against wear/tear/rot/aging/gradual deterioration etc.

He right- if the OP has AD on the policy then it will exclude the costs to reinstate the ceiling itself (failed due to an excluded cause) but cover the costs to redecorate or anything that was damaged when it fell.

Oscar_The_Grouch

FlameCloud wrote: »

He right- if the OP has AD on the policy then it will exclude the costs to reinstate the ceiling itself (failed due to an excluded cause) but cover the costs to redecorate or anything that was damaged when it fell.

Silly point, but if the ceiling falling down caused damage to the wallpaper, the repapering costs would be covered under AD to buildings - Many years ago when I dealt with claims, I fell foul of this one and declined a claim that I shouldn't - the ceiling falling pulled down the coving and ripped the wallpaper. My boss at the time made me phone the customer and apologise!!!

dacouch

Oscar_The_Grouch wrote: »

Silly point, but if the ceiling falling down caused damage to the wallpaper, the repapering costs would be covered under AD to buildings - Many years ago when I dealt with claims, I fell foul of this one and declined a claim that I shouldn't - the ceiling falling pulled down the coving and ripped the wallpaper. My boss at the time made me phone the customer and apologise!!!

The good old days! sounds like you worked for GA or CU. I can't see that happening now days