Building insurance - company not paying out

jaybee2151

I have an old cottage which I renovated about 12 years ago. After recently receiving a £2,500 bill from my water board, it was discovered that I had a leak in the water supply pipes under my kitchen floor which is solid old brick. I contacted the Halifax who I have buildings insurance with. They sent out appropriate plumbing people who did a sonar test and a lot of head scratching. Decided that best way to tackle the leak they though they could hear was by going under my kitchen units where the stop !!!! was located. Went away to check with insurance company. Had a voicemail message from them today saying that the Halifax would not cover the work as it appeated to be several small leaks, and was classed as general wear and tear to the pipes. Therefore they wouldnt do anything. Is this right? What does buildings insurance cover if its an old property? How do they know its general wear and tear just by doing a sonar test? Im really upset and cannot afford to carry out this work myself. Any suggestions would be most welcome.

muskoka

Can;t be precise to your problem, but I would certainly complain in writing to them asking them to justify their refusal.

I say this as some years ago I was insured with Halifax, lost 25 roof tiles in a storm, phoned them to claim & the idiots told me there was no storm in my postcode so they tried to refuse the claim. Never again!

ormus

if the water pipe is say 100 yrs old, then its probably wear and tear.
unless you know otherwise?

Hintza

Time to replace all he old lead pipe?

Our neighbour has faffed around repairing leaks in his and if he had just bitten the bullet early on it would have saved a fortune. I might add we had to pay over £6k to get 700m of old asbestos piped replaced (4 yers ago). Water company had told us if we didn't do it they would and bill us.