accident contents insurance question

froogle_la

Hi - I'm in a complete panic! I've never had to claim on any insurance policy in my life but today I managed to drop a large tin of rosewood varnish whilst redoing my bannister. Now the varnish has pretty much covered my carpet, doors and wallpaper. My Sister pointed out Ive got accidental cover so I rang to ask if I would be covered. They wouldn't say yes or no but asked if I want to lodge the claim. I did but now I'm looking through the paper work one of the exceptions is renovation. Does this mean that I'm not covered?

I'm scared to hear the answer as I really can't afford to replace my carpets and any kind of wiping was simply spreading the mess!

Are there any wise insurance folk who could indicate whether this sounds like I'm not covered because of the exception?

Sorry for blithering.... La xx

TSx

froogle_la wrote: »

Hi - I'm in a complete panic! I've never had to claim on any insurance policy in my life but today I managed to drop a large tin of rosewood varnish whilst redoing my bannister. Now the varnish has pretty much covered my carpet, doors and wallpaper. My Sister pointed out Ive got accidental cover so I rang to ask if I would be covered. They wouldn't say yes or no but asked if I want to lodge the claim. I did but now I'm looking through the paper work one of the exceptions is renovation. Does this mean that I'm not covered?

I'm scared to hear the answer as I really can't afford to replace my carpets and any kind of wiping was simply spreading the mess!

Are there any wise insurance folk who could indicate whether this sounds like I'm not covered because of the exception?

Sorry for blithering.... La xx

What's the exact wording of the exclusion? or which insurer are you with?

froogle_la

I'm with Post Office - underwriters I've been told are Aviva. The exclusion says any process of cleaning, dying, renovating, altering, re-stling, repairing or restoring.... they just missed out breathing!

Thanks - La x

societys_child

Do you have an excess to pay?
For the first time ever I didn't bother with the accidental damage bit on contents .. The excess was £150 and the quote was £50 cheaper without it, so any claim would have to be over £200 to have been worthwhile putting a claim in.

But as it should be covered on your policy. put a claim in. I'd argue that re painting or varnishing is not renovation.

I always put some polythene sheets and old towels on top though, just in case.

froogle_la

excess is £100 - the carpet is right through from the hall, living room, dining room, stairs and landing - was £38 a meter.... agghhh!!! I did put sheets down but the pot exploded so the measly bits I'd covered to protect against drips really did nothing to help x I'm just going to have to argue (if they say it's not covered) that the general bod wouldn't see that renovation is decorating and they need to put their T&Cs in plain english.... like I say I really can't afford to redecorate never mind recarpet! xx

dacouch

froogle_la wrote: »

I'm with Post Office - underwriters I've been told are Aviva. The exclusion says any process of cleaning, dying, renovating, altering, re-stling, repairing or restoring.... they just missed out breathing!

Thanks - La x

That exclusion is designed to exclude claims that are the direct result of cleaning eg while cleaning your kitchen floor with bleach. If the bleach reacted with the floor the Insurer would not pay. However if say you knocked the bleach over and it damaged a different surface you would be covered.

Your claim should be covered

dacouch

froogle_la wrote: »

excess is £100 - the carpet is right through from the hall, living room, dining room, stairs and landing - was £38 a meter.... agghhh!!! I did put sheets down but the pot exploded so the measly bits I'd covered to protect against drips really did nothing to help x I'm just going to have to argue (if they say it's not covered) that the general bod wouldn't see that renovation is decorating and they need to put their T&Cs in plain english.... like I say I really can't afford to redecorate never mind recarpet! xx

Do you have doors separating the living room, dining room and hall

McKneff

I dont see that you will have any problem, go for it.

Dont clean up too much, someone will probably want to come out and examine it.

societys_child

£38 a meter :eek: I do a whole room for that . . (I don't really)

I imagine there are door strips in the doorways, in which case just the hall to do? So .. depends on the size of your hall and whether you can get the same carpet of course.



The wording in the policy seems to leave them a lot of wriggle room. All you can do is try. You might get more informative answers from posters who have claimed on Aviva. Good luck.

froogle_la

Thanks for the info guys. There's a door trim between the hall and living room, but the blinking varnish hit the living room carpet too! no divider between the living room and dining room - just one big carpet! I'm just going to ring Aviva tomorrow and ask whether I should be covered or not... i guess someone will want to come and inspect the damage which is fair enough. I've stuck some news paper and a plastic runner of the worst bit... as my doggie will need to go in there sooner or later and it's soaked!

At least the free wine from Tesco is starting to calm my nerves a little... honestly feels like I'm asking for a massive favour from them - had insurance for 14 years and haven't claimed once but it all feels wrong!

La x

McKneff

Stop feeling as if your asking them for a favour. Its what you pay for, you are doing them a favour by giving them your business and keeping some of them in jobs.

Have another wine and relax, all will be well.