Buildings insurance

anxs

We took out a Mortgage with Halifax and they gave us the insurance package too about 4 years ago. Recently we had a kitchen flash over fire which burnt and scorched the top kitchen units. We are in dispute with the insurance company as they only want to replace the top half of the kitchen units, which is ridiculous when you pay the full insurance. You only speak to a call centre, so you are dealing with someone different every time you phone. Also they keep you waiting for a while before being connected, which costs you money in phone calls. Any suggestions please!!

TEDDYRUKSPIN

They do not have to replace the whole unit, unfortunately.

Halifax are correct only to replace what is damaged.

eg. If a tv was broken but the company could fix that specific part to get the tv going, they are in the right to do so.

eg. If a house was damaged by a falling tree and only the window had to replaced, would they replace the whole house? No. Only the window.

As you said, only the top kitchen unit was damaged. So as you can replace this. Only this would be repaired.

No harm in trying though. Try sending a letter.

huckster

Hi

The purpose of the Insurance is to repair the damage to put you in the same position as you were before the fire.

So I believe that Halifax are correct in replacing the kitchen tops only.

raskazz

anxs wrote: »

We took out a Mortgage with Halifax and they gave us the insurance package too about 4 years ago. Recently we had a kitchen flash over fire which burnt and scorched the top kitchen units. We are in dispute with the insurance company as they only want to replace the top half of the kitchen units, which is ridiculous when you pay the full insurance. You only speak to a call centre, so you are dealing with someone different every time you phone. Also they keep you waiting for a while before being connected, which costs you money in phone calls. Any suggestions please!!

If a case like this is referred to the Financial Ombudsman, typically they will rule that the insurer must pay 50% of the cost of replacement of the undamaged parts of the matching set.

http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/ombudsman-news/10/oct-houshold-disasters.htm

anxs

Thank you for your help. It was several units that got burnt and you can't get replacements any more. Also the builders say that the carcasses are different sizes now to what they were years ago. We will take your comments on board and send a letter.

TEDDYRUKSPIN wrote: »

They do not have to replace the whole unit, unfortunately.

Halifax are correct only to replace what is damaged.

eg. If a tv was broken but the company could fix that specific part to get the tv going, they are in the right to do so.

eg. If a house was damaged by a falling tree and only the window had to replaced, would they replace the whole house? No. Only the window.

As you said, only the top kitchen unit was damaged. So as you can replace this. Only this would be repaired.

No harm in trying though. Try sending a letter.