Fire-Smoke damage contents claim

minniemarie

Hi all,

A couple of months ago my fridge/freezer went on fire which led to substantial smoke damage throughout my property. The building work is finally now underway (needed a new kitchen) and as a result I'm about to submit my contents claim.

I'm a bit confused at how to go about this eg the fridge/freezer I had before was several hundred pounds more than the one I would like to replace it with. I also had two vacuum cleaners, I clearly only need one! What exactly am I claiming for? The above have all been written off as beyond economical repair so that is not the issue.

I'm replacing like for like re the washer/dryer but what happens if I don't want another sandwich toaster do they give you the cash amount?

UGH, having a headache and could use some guidance.

InsideInsurance

You can ask for a cash settlement but the insurer is allowed to reduce the settlement from "high street price" to their preferred supplier price - typically about 30%.

Some insurers will just give you effectively a store card for Currys or Comet with the total value of the goods loaded on to it for you to spend on what you like in the store.

minniemarie

Thanks Inside,

So far re the building work I chose not to go for the Insurance company's builders and am project managing my own guys .and because I hate paying more than I need to, doesn't have to be said really! I search out the best price on anything eg oven from appliances online was 130 quid cheaper than Currys . So am I best NOT looking for the best price on items that I don't want to replace as I may lose a 1/3 of the cost if I chose the best price?! As far I'm aware I think it is a cash settlement.

minniemarie

No a Whirlpool!!!

Thomas_Crown

It is highly unlikely that you will be able to claim the cost of a new fridge/freezer as that was the appliance that caused the fire. Iirc insurers used to call it ''electrical derangement''. You will be able to claim for all other contents damaged by the fire.

InsideInsurance

minniemarie wrote: »

So am I best NOT looking for the best price on items that I don't want to replace as I may lose a 1/3 of the cost if I chose the best price?! As far I'm aware I think it is a cash settlement.

It will depend on who the insurer is, for most of the mass market big boys they will simply want proof of make/ model of teach item, they send that off to their preferred supplier and get back a retail and preferred supplier value for each of them.

They then either instruct them to provide them, send a gift card precharged with the retail value (but only charge the insurer the preferred rate) or a cash settlement which is around the preferred supplier rate.

Insurers certainly dont tend to use THE cheapest as they need people that can reliably supply a wide range of goods rather than niche specialists or companies that get short terms special offers etc.

minniemarie

Thomas_Crown wrote: »

It is highly unlikely that you will be able to claim the cost of a new fridge/freezer as that was the appliance that caused the fire. Iirc insurers used to call it ''electrical derangement''. You will be able to claim for all other contents damaged by the fire.

Really?! I thought that electrical derangement policies etc were to do with moving abroad etc. I have not been told that I can't claim for the fridge/freezer (as yet).

Has anyone had any experience re this?

Thomas_Crown

minniemarie wrote: »

Really?! I thought that electrical derangement policies etc were to do with moving abroad etc. I have not been told that I can't claim for the fridge/freezer (as yet).

The short term (eg. 90 day) electrical derangement policies that you are referring to are something different. I am referring to what used to be a standard clause within home contents policies whereby an appliance that caused a fire was deemed to be faulty & therefore not covered by the policy eg. your TV catches fire & your living room is gutted, you can claim for everything except the TV. The insurance company would claim that the TV must have been faulty & is therefore no covered as that isn't what contents insurance is for.

Maybe things have changed & insurers will now cover the appliance that causes a fire. I'm interested to hear what any insurance insiders have to say as this scenario affects thousands of people every year.

minniemarie

Thomas_Crown wrote: »

The short term (eg. 90 day) electrical derangement policies that you are referring to are something different. I am referring to what used to be a standard clause within home contents policies whereby an appliance that caused a fire was deemed to be faulty & therefore not covered by the policy eg. your TV catches fire & your living room is gutted, you can claim for everything except the TV. The insurance company would claim that the TV must have been faulty & is therefore no covered as that isn't what contents insurance is for.

Maybe things have changed & insurers will now cover the appliance that causes a fire. I'm interested to hear what any insurance insiders have to say as this scenario affects thousands of people every year.

I've not seen this in my policy, but as you've stated I too would like to hear from others who have had dealings with this.

minniemarie

Update.

Just to let you know,I was able to claim for the fridge/freezer that went on fire and caused the damage.