Claiming in House Insurance?

sweetdaisy

Hi

We have never claimed on our house insurance before and just needed some advice.

We had a decorator in a few weeks ago (a mate of our Brother in Law). He is not self employed as he is still studying at college doing painting and decorating.

Anyway, we didn't realise at the time (thought the smell in the house was paint), but it now turns out that he dropped a bottle of turps on our carpet. We got a carpet fitter to try and re-stretch the carpet and it can't be done properly as the turps has thinned the carpet, so it's now raised. The turps has soaked through the carpet and underlay.

Can we claim on the house insurance for this? If we can claim, will they not pay out as we haven't used a tradesperson who has their own insurance/business etc?

mikey72

They should be ok as long as you tell them it was just a mate giving you a hand, rather than someone you employed as a painter/decorator.

dacouch

mikey72 wrote: »

They should be ok as long as you tell them it was just a mate giving you a hand, rather than someone you employed as a painter/decorator.

That would be committing fraud if the OP paid the painter, if the Insurers found out they would be within their rights to not pay the claim and cancel the policy which would make it very difficult (Expensive) for the OP to find any type of Insurance including motor and life assurance for a long period

mikey72

He was a mate of the family, studying to become a decorator, not a self employed, or employee of a decorator.
I've been given a hand by my mates before. I'm sure most people have. Either down the pub later, a bbq, or covered the petrol, or bought them a drink. Wouldn't even contemplate making them pay if they dropped a bottle of turps on my floor, I'd put in a claim or stand it myself.

dacouch

mikey72 wrote: »

He was a mate of the family, studying to become a decorator, not a self employed, or employee of a decorator.
I've been given a hand by my mates before. I'm sure most people have. Either down the pub later, a bbq, or covered the petrol, or bought them a drink. Wouldn't even contemplate making them pay if they dropped a bottle of turps on my floor, I'd put in a claim or stand it myself.

How are you deducing this from the OP's post ?

I might be wrong but it looks to me like they have paid the person for his services which would make him a tradesman and liable for any damage he causes for which he is legally liable.

As I said before if this is the case and the OP tells their Insurers lies about the situation they could potentially find themselves with severe problems should the Insurers discover it.

sweetdaisy

Thanks for all the comments

dacouch

Which Insurer are you with as some Insurers may cover the damage by a tradesmen anyway which will avoid you having to lie (If you advise us we can look up the wording of their policy)

Out of interest did you pay the decorator ?

sweetdaisy

We are AA but the Policy is with Lloyds. We paid the guy £80 for 2 days work.

dacouch

Do you have Accidental Damage Cover (I think the AA call it Optional Extra Cover)

sweetdaisy

Just checked and we only have standard contents cover and don't have optional extra cover which includes accidental damage to household goods, so I assume that we won't be able to claim.

dacouch

It would not be covered anyway then.

Try posting on the "Old Style Money Saving" forum on MSE, you may find someone who knows a way of repairing the damage