Log rolled out of fireplace and burned hardwood floor - is this a claim

ARP99

Sorry for my naivety, but any guidance would be appreciated before I pick up the phone to the insurance company!

Last night my wife managed to badly place a log in the log burner and then failed to close the door when she wandered off into the kitchen for 10 mins. I then smelled burning from upstairs, ran down and found a log that had rolled out the fire, across the floor and set fire to a rug.

Under that rug is a dark hardwood floor which now has 5 or 6 fairly large scorch marks, each an inch or two wide. Some of it can be covered by a new rug, but some can't.

I've no idea what the floor is worth (it was there when we moved in) but I'm pretty sure that it's expensive.

So:

1) Anyone got any ideas whether it will need full replacement or if this kind of thing can be treated? I know that's difficult without photos

2) This is claimable right? Not sure what category it's under, don't recall "Claims for moronic acts" on the form, but I guess it's accidental damage?

3) Are there any timing cut-offs I ought to be thinking of, can't be bothered to get this sorted pre-christmas, If I ring the insurance co and ask for a claim form and let them know briefly what's happened it will wait until Jan?

Thanks in advance for any assistance anything that will cheer me up and stop me being annoyed by the wife will be appreciated!

Quentin

Check your policy - often regarding fire they exclude scorching.

Regarding waiting till Jan, they would happily fall in with this suggestion.

themull1

You will have to ring your insurance company and ask if you are covered, i would do this asap.

lisyloo

but I guess it's accidental damage?

Do you have accidental damage on your policy?
It's not always standard.

I think this would come under buildings and not contents.
I know that I've excluded Accidental damage on buildings before but taken it on contents.
So you do need to check what options you have takem.

vaio

check the cost of funding the repair yourself vs excess/loss of ncb/increased future premiums. Do the check before you contact them

*Scarlett

You would need to have an extended accidental damage cover on your buildings for this type of claim. Check your policy schedule.

As advised before check your excess and how much this will cost to repair. You can do a few online quotes with and without this claim to see how it might affect future premiums.

If you do ring your insurer it will be registered as a claim even if you don't proceed with it and would have to be declared for 3 - 5 years.

Quentin

*Scarlett wrote: »

If you do ring your insurer it will be registered as a claim even if you don't proceed with it and would have to be declared for 3 - 5 years.

No - if you don't make a claim claim why would they register it as one?

(It would correctly go on your record as an incident though)

adamc260

Quentin wrote: »

No - if you don't make a claim claim why would they register it as one?

(It would correctly go on your record as an incident though)

It would still need to be declared for the next 3-5 years though (depending on each insurer) even if he doesn't claim which may have an affect on his renewal premiums.

Quentin

adamc260 wrote: »

It would still need to be declared for the next 3-5 years though (depending on each insurer) even if he doesn't claim which may have an affect on his renewal premiums.

Unlike car insurance, with home insurance not all insurers are too bothered about "incidents".

eg Direct line allow everyone 2 incidents in the last 3 years (which don't have to be declared!), and you would be quoted the same premium if you had a clean record or up to the 2 incidents.

foggytown

Without sight of the actual policy wording it's difficult to comment with any certainty, but the loss as described should be covered by almost any standard buildings/contents policy. The damage was caused by fire. Fire is one of the basic insured perils - unless specifically excluded. The fact that the log rolled out of the fireplace removes the limitations of the "friendly fire" doctrine. Because the flame escaped the confines of where it was supposed to be, it becomes an insured event.

"Scorching" as I recall is covered if caused by actual fire/flame (as opposed to intense heat - like an iron being left on a shirt).

But I agree with those who caution about weighing up the advantages of claiming against what it might cost in increased premiums in future.