can i claim for my power cut?

boys_mum

We lost power after a tree fell on our electricity supply line on tuesday around 7am we have only just been reconnected tonight after being without power for 84 hours. I have heard from a few people that we should be able to claim expenses and compensation from our supplier - Scottish Power. However nobody know how to do it and i cant find any info online. Hope someone can help as we have had to relocate for 3 nights with 2 young kids and have lost a lot of money on food wasted in fridge/freezer. Thanks

macman

The cost of the wasted food will need to be claimed under your own contents insurance.

bigveg

I think the sompensation comes from the local distributor, not the supplier, but you might have to go through yout supplier to claim. At the very least, your supplier will be able to give you the number of the distributor who usually know more than the call centre agent at your supplier (he's probably only wokred there for a few months)

macman

Correct, it is the DNO who is potentially liable-not your billing company.

flyingjock1

Can i ask, and i dont want to sound stupid here. But why should the power company have to compensate you when it was bad weather that caused a tree to bring down the power line. Im sure the engineers done their best in getting power restored. Doing well to get on site with potential access problems and im sure that with the ongoing winds the uk is experiencing working very close to H&S margins in the first place.

esuhl

flyingjock1 wrote: »

Can i ask, and i dont want to sound stupid here. But why should the power company have to compensate you when it was bad weather that caused a tree to bring down the power line. Im sure the engineers done their best in getting power restored...

I guess it would be something to do with the government (or government-appointed body) designating power, water/sewage and heating, etc. as an "essential service" and providing legal penalties for any down time as an incentive to the companies to do everything they can to provide a continuous supply.

As I said - that's just a guess.

Wasn't there a debate recently as to whether Internet access should be considered a fundamental human right, or something?

societys_child

Clicky


Compensation for power cuts

If I suffer an electricity power cut can I get compensation?

It depends on the circumstances, but you are generally entitled to compensation if your electricity goes off for:

• more than 18 hours, or
• more than four times in a year for at least three hours each time.

If it’s your energy supplier’s fault, you're entitled to £50 for the first 18 hours, with £25 for each further 12 hours without power. If the power cut is the result of severe weather, you are entitled to £25 for the first 24 hours (severe weather category 1) or 48 hours (severe weather category 2) and £25 for each further 12 hours.
To claim compensation, write to your regional electricity distributor within three months of getting your power back on. Your regional electricity distributor is the company that owns the electrical wiring and infrastructure in your area – this may be different to your supplier.