Claims management company

hopfarm

Hi,I suffered a major house fire at the beginning of November,the entire contents of my house suffered smoke damage and I was given temporary accomadation.Since the fire I have experienced delays and problems culminating in eviction proceedings being started from the landlord of my temporary accomodation ( the rent was 2 months in arrears).I contacted my insurance company who chased things up and the rent was made and a different loss adjuster was appointed (same company different face).I met up with my loss adjuster 3 weeks ago and asked why these problems had occured and he said it was because my file "had been sitting on someones desk" however he was now taking over and things would move forward.Builders were appointed and work was due to commence on 21st March,to date the only thing that has been done is the entire house painted in white undercoat (the schedule states zinseal sealent? ) I received an email from the loss adjuster listing my contents that had been written off,there was major items missing off the list including my kingsize bed,a pioneer stereo system and a laptop,I emailed him on Thursday and have not yet had a reply.I am off work with the stress of it all and am not getting paid which is not helping either.Am now at the point where I do not know where to go next,I just want my house back! Is it to far into the claim to appoint a claims management company?I make phonecalls and send emails every day but have never been in this situation before.Sorry if I have rambled on but I am at my wits end!

magpiecottage

I am sorry to hear your story.

Loss adjusters work for insurers and you can seek redress from the insurer for distress and inconvenience that is attributable to a failure on the part of the insurer or anybody they have appointed.

Similarly, you can complain if the work is not agreed standard if the insurer has appointed the contractor (but not if you have unless the insurer forced you to use them).

What you cannot claim for is distress or inconvenience that you would have suffered anyway unless the policy document specifies it. However, if you were threatened with eviction because the insurer did not meet the rental costs, you seem to have a case.

hopfarm

Thank you for your reply.I have informed the surveyor and the loss adjuster about the paint problem,they have told me the walls have been sealed but I have been to the house on a daily basis and there are empty tins of undercoat laying around but no evidence of sealent not sure what to do?Still no reply from loss adjuster ref missing contents despite emails and voicemails.Dont really know what to do next,maybe contact my insurance company again?Has anyone any experience of my situation that can advise me or even suggestions as to who I can seek advice from? another sleepless night!

TSx

To be honest, I'd keep badgering the insurance company - point out that they are your insurers and you want them to deal with it. Get a definitive timescale and a name and call back if you don't hear anything. Insurers like to pass things on to loss adjusters (often, appropriately) but that doesn't mean they discharge their responsibilities as an insurer.