home insurance: trace and access cover

shortshrift

I had a burst central heating pipe in the recent cold spell (the heating had been left on 24/7, but the heating pump seized).

My insurers have challenged the repair bill on the basis my policy has a "trace and access" exclusion, and the bulk of the repair cost was pulling up the carpets and sawing through the floorboards to access the pipe.

I've checked my policy documents, and they do not mention a "trace and access" exclusion or anything remotely similar. Indeed the policy wording specifically includes "repair or reconstruction for damage caused by freezing to any internal domestic plumbing installations". And it is clearly impossible to perform the "repair or reconstruction" without accessing the pipework!

When I pointed out the terms of my policy to my insurer (Allianz) they were uninterested, saying I had a complaint about policy wording that I should take up with the broker (The Post Office).

Where do I stand? There is nothing whatsoever in the policy documents to suggest that this isn't a covered loss, so on what legal basis can they refuse to pay?

Oscar_The_Grouch

Hi there

The moron that told you to take your complaint up with the Post Office should be shot. Allianz are the insurer and regardless of who wrote the policy, Allianz have agreed to deal with claims on the basis of that wording.

Register a complaint with Allianz.

One thing you may like to know is that the post office policy is provided via BISL; otherwise known as Budget. From my experience in the industry, I would not insure with anything that was remotely connected to Budget.

shortshrift

Oscar_The_Grouch wrote: »

Hi there

The moron that told you to take your complaint up with the Post Office should be shot. Allianz are the insurer and regardless of who wrote the policy, Allianz have agreed to deal with claims on the basis of that wording.

Register a complaint with Allianz.

One thing you may like to know is that the post office policy is provided via BISL; otherwise known as Budget. From my experience in the industry, I would not insure with anything that was remotely connected to Budget.

Oscar, thanks. You are right - the Post Office insurance does turn out to be provided by Budget.

I did wonder if Allianz had a point regarding the wording of the policy - that if they were offering insurance that had a specific exclusion and the broker came up with wording that omitted to mention this, then fault lay with the broker. You are clearly of the view that they have agreed to provide insurance on the terms of the policy as drafted by the broker.

One further question: is there any justification in them asserting that 'trace and access' is often not covered, and that although there is no mention of this exclusion in the policy, I should have noticed that the policy did not explicitly specify 'trace and access' cover?

For my money, I think this is a totally unacceptable line of argument which could not possibly stand up in court: I have a policy which lists certain inclusions, and any number of exclusions, and my claim is clearly covered under the wording I have!

dacouch

It's probably more a case that cover for Trace and Access is not included (Some Insurers include it automatically).

Insurance covers the damage a specific peril eg the water escaping from a pipe does, it does not cover removing the carpets etc to gain access to repair the damage (Unless you have the trace and access cover)

shortshrift

dacouch,

But your post precisely nails what I object to. The policy covers the cost of "repair or reconstruction for damage caused by freezing to any internal domestic plumbing installations".

It is impossible to effect this repair without gaining access to the pipes. Gaining access is an integral - not an optional - part of the repair. Therefore covered under the inclusion I've quoted above, unless specifically excluded (which it isn't).

If they wanted to exclude it, fine, but they should have used different wording.

dacouch

But the the carpets were not damaged by the water, Insurance policies contain an exclusion in the general exclusions which excludes any contingent losses.

Your policy won't normally cover the actual repair to the leak anyway only any subsequent damage the water has done.

dacouch

Which contract with Allianz are you one eg Harmony, Homeplans, Homestead, Home Cover (It will say on your schedule or the front of the policy booklet).

If you tell me I'll show you the relevant wordings in the policy bookley

dacouch

I've just looked at some of the normal Alianz policies and they currently include Trace and Access so if you can tell us which contract your on we may be able to confirm whether you have it or not

shortshrift

dacouch wrote: »

But the the carpets were not damaged by the water, Insurance policies contain an exclusion in the general exclusions which excludes any contingent losses.

Your policy won't normally cover the actual repair to the leak anyway only any subsequent damage the water has done.

Thanks for your interest.

It's a policy brokered by the Post Office/Budget - the documents don't give an Allianz product name.

I would take issue with your last statement: the wording I quoted a couple of posts back says "damage caused by freezing to any internal domestic plumbing installations"... well, that is the burst pipe. And the repair (which they admit liability for) cannot be effected without gaining access. Gaining access is *integral* to the repair, not separable from it in any meaningful way.

Again, if they wish to exclude it, that's fine, but it should appear with the other exclusions. Otherwise - as an integral part of the repair - it is covered under their wording.

*MF*

Hi ....

Couple of points which may (or may not) be relevant:

1) If this is the first year of the policy, you can rely on what it says, but if it has been renewed, it is not at all uncommon for the terms and conditions to be altered, and then you need to read any changes that may have been made, ie., additional cover being given or exclusions added. These should be notified in advance of your invitation to renew - usually with the renewal invitation itself.

2) I have seen policies where "Trace and Access" has been given where damage has been caused by water leakage - but not - where the water leakage has happened because a pipe froze. No - I can't explain why the difference and it does seem totally arbitrary, but I have seen it - and it may lie behind what you are being told.

dacouch

The saliant words in their policy as with most other polices are "Damage"

Here is the relevant wording from their current policies

Your policy covers loss of or damage to your buildings caused by
the following events

6 a Water leaking from water tanks, apparatus or pipes or fixed
heating installations.
b Freezing water in water tanks, apparatus or pipes or fixed
heating installations

Note they are stating they are covering Damage to your buildings, the carpet and floor boards were not damaged by the water so in the abscence of T&A cover are not covered.

I'll leave you to your own as you do not seem to appreciate when someone is trying to help you.