Home insurance - boiler problem?

InsideInsurance

Because it isnt a legally required part of the insurance they are entitled to apply whatever terms they want to it. Looking at the current BoS policybook under Tenant Liability it states cover is given for:

i) Storm or flood, freezing of fixed water or heating installations, water escaping from washing machines, dishwashers, fixed water or heating installations, oil escaping from a fixed heating installation, theft or attempted theft, falling television or radio aerial fittings or masts
ii) Accidental damage to drains, pipes, cables and underground tanks providing services to, or from, your home.
iii) Accidental breakage of glass or sanitary ware, fixed to and forming part of your home.

As you are talking about claiming for accidental damage to a boiler on the surface it looks like it wouldnt be covered but you'd need to speak to BoS to confirm

l0u1se

Inside is correct, accidental damage is not generally covered on most tenants liability policies.

Although if your landlord does hold you responsible as I mentioned you could register a legal liabilities claim against your policy.

newguy12

thanks louise and inside...

It looks like a pump and a circuit board is needed, considering the damage was caused by a burst pipe..if that fails I will enquire about legal liabilities.

I haven't had a reply from my landlord but I am expecting to pay for it at the moment

travellerboy

Boiler or central heating breakdown is covered generally under the add-on to the normal policy. e.g. Home Emergency Cover.

This cover at face value looks great but boiler breakdown is only covered if you have maintained the manufacturer's recommended service and annual inspections. They ask for your annual inspection reports, without them you are not covered.

(read the small print)

ihateyes

travellerboy wrote: »

Boiler or central heating breakdown is covered generally under the add-on to the normal policy. e.g. Home Emergency Cover.

This cover at face value looks great but boiler breakdown is only covered if you have maintained the manufacturer's recommended service and annual inspections. They ask for your annual inspection reports, without them you are not covered.

(read the small print)

Home emergency doesnt apply to tenants, as they are not responsible for things like the CHB in the property

rs65

newguy12 wrote: »

It looks like a pump and a circuit board is needed

Are you sure that's not the original problem he came out for?

InsideInsurance

ihateyes wrote: »

Home emergency doesnt apply to tenants, as they are not responsible for things like the CHB in the property

It can cover tenants depending on the wording, certainly the free HE cover I used to have did cover tenants as long as you had the permission of the landlord for the engineers to do their thing

newguy12

yeah - they originally came out to replace the main boiler (main element ?)

I have checked my insurance, but I have rang up enquiring until my landlord gets in touch with me. It does indeed state tenants liability are things like burst pipes - considering it was a burst pipe that did the damage I think i will explain it like that...I don't know what the legal liabilities covers me for?

Ironically I just got my renewal letter yesterday, a years NCD extra and the policy goes up 20pence...i wonder if it is cheaper if I claim...

johnk

travellerboy wrote: »

Boiler or central heating breakdown is covered generally under the add-on to the normal policy. e.g. Home Emergency Cover.

This cover at face value looks great but boiler breakdown is only covered if you have maintained the manufacturer's recommended service and annual inspections. They ask for your annual inspection reports, without them you are not covered.

(read the small print)

Could you name the insurer who asks for inspection report? I was unlucky and had to claim on my Home Emergency on boiler failures: they asked about the latest service time but not the report (I do not keep those).

l0u1se

I'll try to explain it for you, because it is quite confusing.

Basically tenants liability would cover you for something that you are liable for in your tenants agreement, e.g as below if it states that you are responsible for the bath suite, and you accidentally drop a hammer in it.

Tenant’s legal responsibilities
Your legal responsibilities under the
terms of your tenancy agreement, as
a tenant of your home, not the owner
or the landlord, for damage to your
home caused by:
i) Storm or flood, freezing of fixed
water or heating installations, water
escaping from washing machines,
dishwashers, fixed water or heating
installations, oil escaping from a
fixed heating installation, theft or
attempted theft, falling television
or radio aerial fittings or masts.
ii) Accidental damage to drains,
pipes, cables and underground
tanks providing services to, or
from, your home.
iii) Accidental breakage of glass or
sanitary ware, fixed to and forming
part of your home

Whereas depending on different policy wordings generally accidental damage cover is not covered against the buildings, reason being that the landlord owns it.
So if the landlord is holding you responsible for something that is not in your tenancy agreement, he is trying to hold you liable/negligent for damaging his buildings, which falls under legal liabilities.

Hope this makes sense and best of luck