3 Piece Suite Fiasco.

B16JOP

Am insured with Lloyds TSB and just had a central heating pipe burst which among other things severely damaged a sofa. The suite was hand made some years ago to our own specifications. Lloyds say they will only replace the sofa and even suggested I go and have a look in MFI. Surely this policy was mis-sold, How can they reasonably expect anyone to live with an odd sofa. Has anyone else been caught in this trap and what was the outcome please?

mattymoo

Check your policy booklet for a "matching items" clause. Most insurance policies have them so probably not a case of miss-selling.

courtjester

This is pretty common, however if you can provide evidence that this suite is particularly special (a custom designed and manufactured suite), then you may get them to up their offer to reflect the loss of value in the whole suite - there is no definitive answer as each case would be decided on its particular facts and the guidelines the individual insurer uses.

You don't of course have to accept that MFI would be the correct supplier for a hand-made custom made piece of furniture, it would have to be of the same build quality as the original even if you only consider the sofa.

You could try reviewing the Financial Ombudsman Service website for further information and decisions on these types of cases - I have come across the following on "matching sets" decisions they have made in the past which might be helpful:

http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/ombudsman-news/10/oct-houshold-disasters.htm

justwannabeloved

Hi

I'm a claim advisor for insurance claims .

Not been doing it for long, but it's very interesting.. Hard work especially at the moment with all the storms/ bad weather that the uk has had. The stories that we hear, many sad, and many unbelievable..

Yes, they are right. Unfortunately, this will be under the suites & pairs exclusion .It's only the damaged sofa that will be covered, not the the whole set. Sorry.

regards
justwannabeloved

Pantera_Fan

justwannabeloved wrote:

Yes, they are right. Unfortunately, this will be under the suites & pairs exclusion .It's only the damaged sofa that will be covered, not the the whole set.

Not always true. Some policies pay upto 50% of any matching pairs/sets if a matching piece cannot be found. Check your policy wording for this, although normally only found in the high net worth policies.

gazza975526570

Some will make a contribution.

Some will make an offer at say 25% and dependent upon how hard you push them up to 50% towards the matching items.

A lot of policies will include an condition stating they will only cover the damaged item however even some of these may make a contribution.

From meory i think some insurers will pay for the full set for an additional premium at inception. i think it may have been Barclays

Give them a call and advise your not happy with the resolution and see what they offer.

It isnt misselling however unless they specifically told you all would be covered. Very unlikely