How to claim ????

chewie

Afternoon all

I've had a prob at home - my marine fish tank has leaked everywhere. I'm lucky that a mate lives close by and has (had!) a spare tank which I'm using. However have not assessed the damage as yet.

Have never claimed on any house/contents policy before so I called the insurer to ask what's next. The lady said I could claim for :

Damage to carpet/floor
Fish Tank Cabinet (am sure this is damaged)
Heater (if broken cos of no water on it)

She said I couldn't claim for any livestock that I've lost - loads!

The question I have is :

The lady said that I would need to tell her where/why the tank leaked before she would say I could claim, but wouldn't tell me why.

All that happened is my daughter said she saw some water on the floor of the cabinet so I investigated and realised I had a leak, and had to move things asap.

I don't know where the thing is leaking but can anyone advise what I should do?

Thanks

Chewie

mattymoo

Damage caused by escaping water is covered without a doubt. So that is the carpet covered.

The tank will depend on the cause and whether or not you have accidental damage cover on your contents policy.

If you had attempted to move the tank and cracked it by accident, and you have accidental damage cover then you should be okay.

If the damage was caused by old age - perhaps the edge joints failing, then that is not normally covered.

Nearest equivalent is a radiator leak through corrosion. The damage caused by the leak is covered but not the cost of a new radiator as that is a maintenance issue.

Astaroth

Unless you can identify the cause of the leak it will be assumed that it is either wear and tear or a manufacturing fault, neither of which are covered by a standard policy. Whilst the tank itself wouldnt be covered by the policy any subsequent damage normally would as Mattymoo points out so anything damaged by the water.... I am not sure about the heater as it was the lack of water that caused damage but I would be hopeful of being able to argue it as whilst it isnt water damage itself it was caused by the escape of water which is an insured risk.

chewie

Thanks guys. This has helped a huge amount.