Buildings insurance claim querie

benjo

I consider myself a complete novice when it comes to making insurance claims, I made a claim about 30+ years ago for some slates that were blown off in a storm and thats the limit of my experience.

So to my problem, I noticed yesterday some water staining on the kitchen ceiling (directly below a sloping tiled roof). I'm not tall enough to see ontop of the roof but given the recent weather 2 + 2 = storm damage moved some tiles perhaps.

I rang my insurance company who explained they would send a building company out and if it was storm damage they would do the work end of story, but if it wasnt storm damage then I would have to fund the work myself - no problems so far, seems pretty reasonable as if it is just worn out then it's work I would fully expect to pay for myself.

BUT if it is just worn out and therefore I cannot proceed with the claim and so pay for the work myself, I will still loose my no claims bonus because the insurance company have to pay the builders to come and look.

So I asked them, doesnt it make more sense to get my regular builder/roofer to come and give me a free quote for the work? Insurance company said that was ok but they worried that I would be charged etc and really wanted me to use their builders to assess it, anyway I told them I would let them know today what I wanted to do.

Is this normal? I understand that any insurance claim can be assessed but I honestly didnt realise that in essence I would have to pay (loose my no claims bonus) even if the insurance company decide that it isnt something covered by insurance.

Sorry if this is a really obvious question - it's just really foreign to me.

snailsbury

I think this depends on the insurer. Some insurers will remove NCB if they have to pay anything on the claim, others will allow the NCB to remain intact if only inspection fees have been paid to their suppliers.

I personally, would have a builder.roofer attend, have them provide a detailed cause of damage report detailing the age, general condition and of course, what they believe in their professional opinion has caused the damage. That way you have satisfied the insurers need to know the cause of damage and you have avoided the risk of losing your no claims bonus.

rs65

Can you not just get your own builder out for a free quote and get his opinion on whether it is storm damage or not. If it is, make a claim.

Ch1ckenlady

You pay for the insurance, so take advantage of what's on offer by the Insurer. If their contractor agrees that the cause of the damage is covered (or not) you can make up your mind whether to proceed with the claim then. Plus, by using the insurers appointed contractor, the insurer are unlikely to dispute their findings.

In the event the claim is covered, you're not forced to use the insurers contractor though (if you have one you prefer to use).